James Allen Engagement Rings: Read This Before Buying (2023)

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You’ve decided you like it, and you agree with Ms. Knowles that, yes, indeed you betta put a ring on it.

Buying an engagement ring online has a lot of advantages, including a much larger selection than your local jewelry store, and the ability to filter based on your price range.

(Not to mention avoid the pushy salespeople who work at brick and mortar jewelry stores.)

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But it also has one major risk: the trust factor.

Buying an engagement ring is one of the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make.

We know firsthand how terrifying it can be to fork over that much money for something you haven’t seen, and then have to sweat it out as you wait for the delivery to arrive.

The good news is that buying engagement rings and other jewelry online has gotten a lot easier (and more legitimate) over the years, and you don’t have to look far to find some really reputable stores that sell legit, high-quality jewelry at a wide range of price points.

In this post we’ll take a closer look at the advantages of ring shopping at one of the all-around best places to buy engagement rings online,James Allen.

AboutJames Allen

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Founded by Oded Edelman, Michele Sigler, James Schultz and Dean Lederman, a group of jewelry experts, online retail experts and diamond-industry veterans, James Allen is an online fine jewelry store whose mission is pretty simple:

To offer online shoppers the largest selection of the highest quality diamonds at the best price possible.

While today there are a bunch of sites selling diamonds online,James Allen is kind of the OG of the online diamond world, having started back in 2006, and today is the world’s largest privately held online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer.

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They offer a huge inventory and the ability tofully customize your ringso you get exactly what you want (about which more below).

But the real kicker might just be the price:

Shopping online at JA can be up to 50% cheaper than shopping at traditional stores.

Innovation Makes Ring Shopping Easy

In addition to being the largest and most experienced online diamond store in the world, what’s really distinguished James Allen is its commitment to innovation.

From the beginning, their focus has been on delivering an exceptional online shopping experience, and the brand has leveraged some pretty cool tech that allows you to design your own ring from scratch.

Diamond Display Technology

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Buying a diamond ring online can be nerve-wracking because with diamonds, the devil is in the details, which can be notoriously hard to see when shopping online.

JA solves that problem by offering360-degree HD display technologyon all of the 200,000-plus, certified conflict-free diamonds it sells.

With 15x magnification, you canmake out every detail of the diamond you’re considering buying, which provides a lot more peace of mind about what you’re investing in.

Lab-Created Diamonds

In addition to traditional diamonds, JA also offers a huge selection of lab-created diamonds, which can allow you to save up to 30% when compared to earth-created diamonds.

What’s especially nice about lab-created diamonds is that the savings don’t come at the expense of quality:

Lab-created diamonds are both chemically and optically the same as earth-created diamonds, which means you get the same high quality for a lower price tag.

Virtual Ring Sizer

One of the reasons James Allen is such a great place to buy an engagement ring is that they make it super easy to choose the right size ring, which is something that a lot of guys struggle with.

TheirVirtual Ring Sizerfeatures offer four different methods for finding the right size.

There’s a guide to measuring finger size and even the option to have an actual ring sizer mailed to you, but of which work great when you’re buying your own ring, but not so well when you’re shopping for your future fiance.

Fortunately, there’s another option for figuring out her ring size virtually, without her knowing what you’re up to.

If you can grab one of her other rings, which you know fits her, you can use their virtual ring sizer to measure it, and upload her exact ring measurements to the site.

That way, the ring you order for her will be custom sized and based on a ring that you already know fits her perfectly.

And if you’re ordering from outside the United States, where ring sizes can vary, they offer conversion charts that make it easy to know which size you should order.

Virtual Ring Try On

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One of the coolest features James Allen offers is theirVirtual Ring Try On feature, which eliminates a lot of the fears that people have about buying rings online.

Once you’ve found or designed a ring that you love, you can easily see what it would look like on your hand by using your smartphone.

All you have to do is click the “Try On” link next to your ring, then use your phone to take a photo of your hand.

Their website then super-imposes the ring onto your hand, to give you a sense of how it will look when it’s actually on.

Seeing the ring on an actual hand helps you decide if you’ve chosen both the right ring setting and the right diamond.

What’s great about this feature is that it allows you to combine all the advantages of shopping for a ring online – namely the larger selection and better prices – with one of the main advantages of shopping in person – the ability to try the ring on.

And fellas, we know what you’re thinking:

If you’re shopping for an engagement ring for your girlfriend, what matters is how it looks onherhand, not yours.

But don’t worry. You can use your own hand for the virtual engagement ring try on feature to get a sense of how it will look on a hand, then use another cool James Allen feature to find the right size for her.

Lots of Flexibility

In addition to cool tech, JA also offers a number of services that help you further customize your ring, and put your mind at ease when buying a diamond online.

They offer free engraving on most rings that lets you add your initials and truly make your rings your own, and provide free resizing for up to 60 days after your order, so you don’t have to worry about settling for something that’s not quite right.

Is James Allen Reputable?

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Advanced technology and added flexibility is all well and good, but as we noted above, when you’re shopping for an engagement ring the thing that matters most is trust.

Fortunately, this is where James Allen really shines.

Customer Service

James Allen prides itself on offering shoppers a lot of features and services that provide peace of mind.

Their customer service reps are available 24/7 to answer questions, and they don’t work on commission, so there’s no fear that they’ll be pushy or too “salesy.”

Real-Time Diamond Inspection

They offer the industry’s firstreal-time diamond inspectionservice.

This allows you to hop on a video call with their experts, who will use a super magnified lens to zoom in close on your diamond so you can explore every facet of it in real time before you order.

Lifetime Warranty

In addition to the diamond inspection, they offer a lifetime warranty on all their diamonds, which can help put your mind at ease.

Plus they provide a 100% money-back guarantee within the first 30 days if you’re not happy with the final product, and if you’re in the US they’ll even cover the shipping costs when you send your ring back.

James Allen Reviews

Another nice thing about James Allen is that they’ve been around for decades, so they have a long track record that you can look into to decide for yourself.

The folks over atCredit Donkeygave them a 4.6/5 rating after conducting a really comprehensive review.

Laurie Mega ofGem Societywas equally impressed, writing ““If you’re coming at this with no experience buying diamonds, you’re going to become pretty knowledgeable pretty quickly. And you’ll gain the confidence to make a solid purchase.”

And perhaps most assuringly, James Allen has a sterling 4.5/5 rating at theBetter Business Bureau, which is arguably the most trusted organization in the world when it comes to measuring a company’s business practices.

Conclusion

Is James Allen Legit?

The short answer? Absolutely.

When you combine the wide selection and low prices with James Allen’s trustworthiness and dedication to understanding the customer’s needs and improving the online shopping experience, it easily becomes the top choice for buying engagement rings (and pretty much any other jewelry) online.

Shop James Allen

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James Allen combines a huge inventory of high-quality diamonds with low prices and innovative technology to offer what’s easily the best online shopping experience for engagement rings.

Shop James Allen➤

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FAQs

Are James Allen engagement rings good quality? ›

James Allen offers fantastic quality and value for money when it comes to buying an engagement ring. They are one of my highest recommended vendor but don't just take my word for it. Check them out for yourself!

Are James Allen engagement rings real? ›

As with other e-commerce jewelry stores, many question the quality of the diamonds (or whether they are real diamonds at all). But rest assured, the diamonds on James Allen are very real and run the gamut of cut, color, carat, clarity, and shape to fit everyone's budget.

What are the 4 C's of buying a ring? ›

Take a few minutes to study the 4 Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat) of diamonds below and become an informed engagement ring shopper.

What is the right amount to spend on an engagement ring? ›

General Rule: You should spend at least 2 months salary on the engagement ring. If, for example, you are making $60,000 per year, you should spend $10,000 on the engagement ring.

What is the best engagement ring clarity? ›

What is the best diamond clarity? The best diamond clarity rating is Flawless (FL). These are the rarest diamonds in the world; less than 0.05% of all diamonds are Flawless or Internally Flawless.

What is the most popular engagement ring carat? ›

The average total carat weight for an engagement ring in the U.S. hovers just over 1 carat, at 1.08 carats. The range of 1.0 to 1.9 carats is by far the most popular, but there are noticeable peaks at the 0.70 – 0.79 range, the 0.90 – 0.99 range and the 1.50 – 1.59 range.

Who made Kim Kardashian's engagement ring? ›

Back in 2013, when Kanye proposed to Kim in San Francisco, he presented her with the first beautiful engagement ring. It is a stunning oval design, with a huge 15-carat stone. As you would imagine, the ring is very exclusive, created by celebrity jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz.

Is it safe to buy diamonds from James Allen? ›

Yes, James Allen is an extremely reputable jeweler, and its inventory consists of over 315,000 natural diamonds as well as over 50,000 lab-grown diamonds. Diamonds sold by James Allen are certified by one of the leading independent diamond labs.

What is Meghan Markle engagement ring? ›

Meghan Markle's engagement ring features three diamonds

Meghan's engagement ring boasts three stones, a style known as a trilogy ring. Three-stone rings typically represent a couple's past, present and future, with the largest stone symbolizing the present and the importance of being in the moment together.

How many carats should an engagement ring be? ›

One of the decisions to be made when considering the purchase of an engagement ring is how many carats should the ring be? The average according to The Knot (a research company and website for all things wedding) is 1 to 2 carats. There is no rule. Developing a budget is always a good place to start.

Is a VS2 diamond good? ›

VS2 diamonds are middle-grade when it comes to their clarity. They are in the lower tier of the Very Slightly Included category on the official clarity scale created by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). With slight inclusions, VS2 diamonds usually appear eye-clean.

Is VS1 clarity good? ›

A VS1 diamond is a high clarity grade with no visible inclusions and only small, hard-to-identify inclusions under 10x magnification. These diamonds represent the top 5 percent of all gem-quality stones.

Is $1,000 engagement ring cheap? ›

According to recent surveys, most American couples expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring. The actual average cost for an engagement ring is over $6,000. With all that said, most women are reasonable and just.

Is $2000 cheap for an engagement ring? ›

No, a $2,000 engagement ring is not cheap, and can be quite stunning. The quality of your ring depends on the diamond's cut and your setting, along with which vendor you choose. You can find high-quality budget diamond engagement rings through online vendors like Blue Nile and James Allen.

What is the 3 months salary for an engagement ring? ›

It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse. For context, The Knot 2021 Jewelry and Engagement study found that the average cost of an engagement ring in the US is $6,000.

Is VS1 or VS2 better? ›

A VS1 diamond has slightly fewer and smaller inclusions than a VS2 diamond. In other words, a VS1 diamond is slightly better than a VS2 diamond.

Which is better VS1 or VVS1? ›

GIA Clarity Scale (Best to Worst):

Internally Flawless (IF) Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1) Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2) Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)

What clarity diamonds does Tiffany use? ›

Tiffany only accepts engagement diamonds in the “colorless” and “near colorless” range on a diamond color scale. For engagement diamonds, Tiffany only accepts D, E, F, G, H and I color diamonds. Fancy color diamonds such as yellow or pink diamonds have their own color grades.

What diamond looks biggest? ›

Marquise Cut Diamond

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

Which diamond cut sparkles the least? ›

Which diamond cut has the least sparkle? Baguette is the worst diamond shape in terms of brilliance. This shape makes a diamond sparkle less, even if it has an ideal cut.

Which diamond sparkles the most? ›

Round Cut Diamonds Sparkle The Most

The standard round cut diamond comprises 57 facets (58 including one on the bezel). This cut heightens the diamond's sparkle and shine. Because round diamonds have the largest number of facets, they create the most sparkle.

Who designed Hailey Bieber's ring? ›

Invented by Russian diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan in 1957, oval cut diamonds are versatile, meaning they can look good in just about any setting. The central diamond in Hailey's ring is colorless and brilliant, making it a stunningly desirable piece. With this in mind, our experts estimated it to be worth $500,000.

Who has the most expensive ring? ›

The most expensive engagement ring is the Cartier ring once owned by Grace Kelly. The $38.8 million ring now belongs to the House of Grimaldi and is considered the most expensive engagement ring in the world. What is the most expensive ring in the world in 2023?

How much did Beyonce's engagement ring cost? ›

Beyoncé's Engagement Ring

Renowned celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz designed Beyoncé's 24-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring with a platinum split shank, which she received from her husband Jay Z. Beyoncé's flawless ring is estimated to cost about $5 million.

Does James Allen sell GIA certified diamonds? ›

The good news is that every James Allen diamond comes with an official certification. We provide reports from the industry's leading labs including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

What to avoid when buying a diamond ring? ›

The 6 Worst Diamond Buying Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them)
  1. Set A Budget (& Stick to It) ...
  2. Don't Forget the Setting. ...
  3. Don't Stress About the Surprise. ...
  4. Don't Get Stuck on Exact Grades. ...
  5. All Diamond Reports Aren't the Same. ...
  6. Don't Buy Without Putting Your Choice to the Test.

Does James Allen use real gold? ›

James Allen offers white gold in 14K and 18K. 14K gold contains 58.5% gold, while 18K white gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% other metals (nickel, zinc, etc).

How much did Ben Affleck pay for JLO engagement ring? ›

In November 2002, Affleck proposed to the star with a 6.1-carat pink diamond from Harry Winston, estimated to cost $2.5 million. Though Lopez gave the ring back when they ended the engagement in 2004, she recalled how much she "loved getting it" in a 2020 interview with Apple Music host Zane Lowe.

What Stone was in Princess Diana's engagement ring? ›

The most famous engagement ring in history

Diana chose her sapphire engagement ring from Garrard in 1981.

What is Princess Kate's engagement ring? ›

Kate Middleton's engagement ring is an oval Ceylon sapphire ring set in 18-karat white gold. The 12-carat sapphire is surrounded by an impressive 14 solitaire diamonds. It has astonishing history, and it was once given to Princess Diana by Prince Charles.

Is a 2 carat diamond considered to be big? ›

Is a 2 carat diamond considered to be big? The average carat weight for a diamond engagement ring is about 0.9 carat, meaning a 2 carat diamond is definitely considered big.

Is a 1.5 carat ring too big? ›

While a 1.5 carat diamond is larger than the average, what is considered “too big” is personal. If you prefer a more petite diamond of around 0.5 to 1 carat, then yes, it would be too big. However, if you are looking for a larger stone of 2 carats and up, then a 1.5 carat would be too small.

How many carats is Hailey Bieber's ring? ›

Hailey Bieber's engagement ring is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a breathtaking oval cut diamond that is estimated to be between 6 to 10 carats in size. The diamond is set in a classic yellow gold band with a very delicate and tucked away peek-a-boo hidden halo.

Is Costco a good place to buy diamonds? ›

Overall, Costco diamonds are of decent quality and offer great value, as long as they're GIA certified. You can find a ring for 50% less than at other big-name jewelry stores. But compared to online retailers, Costco cannot match their selections, customization, or service.

Which is more expensive VS1 or VS2? ›

The price differences in VS1 vs. VS2 can range anywhere from only a few cents more per carat to 25% more expensive, depending on the carat weight and the other 4Cs. If the price difference is not exponential, VS1 is usually recommended over VS2.

Is an F color diamond good? ›

On the GIA color grading scale, the F color rating falls under the top category of “Colorless” diamonds. In terms of ranking, it is the 3rd best on the scale of D to Z. During lab grading, diamonds are flipped around and assessed based on their absence of color. The lesser the color, the higher the grade.

Is G better than H in diamonds? ›

H vs G Color Diamond

For most diamond shapes, h color is a great stone to go for. It is versatile and luxuriant. Since both G & H diamonds fall in the same near colorless category, with G being the higher quality choice.

Is an E color diamond good? ›

Is E a good diamond color grade? E is the second-best color grade you can get in diamonds. Considered to be colorless, this diamond offers an icy look.

Is VS2 better than SI1? ›

On the GIA's diamond grading scale an SI1 clarity grade is one level worse than a VS2 clarity grade, but an SI1 diamond may not always look worse than a VS2 diamond - it all depends on the types of inclusions and their locations.

Is James Allen a reputable Jeweller? ›

Yes, James Allen is an extremely reputable jeweler, and its inventory consists of over 315,000 natural diamonds as well as over 50,000 lab-grown diamonds. Diamonds sold by James Allen are certified by one of the leading independent diamond labs.

How long does it take to get a James Allen engagement ring? ›

Loose diamonds are shipped 1-4 days after payment to allow time for proper inspection by our gemologists. All other jewelry and engagement rings will be shipped in one to three weeks, depending on the production schedule of that item.

What are the best engagement rings for durability? ›

Platinum Engagement Rings or 18k Gold

White gold and yellow gold are two popular choices; both metals offer strength and durability and a classic aesthetic that never goes out of style. Platinum is another great option, especially for active women who want their rings to last through various activities.

Are James Allen rings hand made? ›

At James Allen, you can customize many of our hand-crafted wedding rings and engagement rings with color gemstones, color diamonds and/or alternative metal options to create a ring that is perfect for your unique personality.

Are James Allen and Jared the same? ›

Signet owns Jared and expanded its empire in 2017 when it bought James Allen. Although you may have seen James Allen rings inside Jared stores, the two are still separate stores. The partnership between the two stores is a way to increase sales for Signet. Jared shoppers get access to new ring designs.

Who are competitors to James Allen? ›

jamesallen.com's top 5 competitors in May 2023 are: bluenile.com, brilliantearth.com, ritani.com, helzberg.com, and more.
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Are lab grown diamonds real? ›

Lab grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. Lab grown diamonds are identical to earth mined diamonds in every way, except that they are grown in a lab. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle.

What is the 3 month rule for engagement rings? ›

It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse. For context, The Knot 2021 Jewelry and Engagement study found that the average cost of an engagement ring in the US is $6,000.

How soon is too soon to buy an engagement ring? ›

Your Ready to Propose!

Based on the info above, you can set your proposal date depending on the engagement ring timeline that fits you best. If you're going with a pre-designed ring, make sure to purchase that at least one month before your proposal date, while two months minimum should be allotted for a custom ring.

Does James Allen replace lost diamonds? ›

Any loose lab created diamond purchased from James Allen can be exchanged at 100% credit for any replacement lab created diamond of at least 2x or greater value. The diamond that is being upgraded must be in original condition and accompanied by the original laboratory grading document.

Is there a best time of year to buy an engagement ring? ›

It seems that November and December are the best times of the year to buy your best diamond. The sales keep going just before Cyber Monday and if you are eyeing an excellent diamond from a diamond company that offers good value, you can purchase your best choice of a diamond before it's gone.

Is 18k or 14K better for an engagement ring? ›

Which Gold Is Best For Which Ring? 14K gold is the most popular choice for engagement and wedding rings. Whether yellow, white, or rose, 14K's mix of purity and durability makes it an ideal choice for these rings since they are geared for everyday wear.

What are James Allen rings made of? ›

James Allen offers white gold in 14K and 18K. 14K gold contains 58.5% gold, while 18K white gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% other metals (nickel, zinc, etc). White gold has the overall look of platinum, but is notably less expensive.

Who owns James Allen jewelry? ›

Oded Edelman is the Chief Digital Innovation Officer of Signet, is also the Founder and CEO of R2Net, the parent company of leading online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, James Allen.

Is James Allen ethical? ›

James Allen

There's a 100 percent money-back guarantee if you're not happy for any reason. It's no secret why James Allen has grown to be one of the most reputable conflict-free retailers in the world.

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