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

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!

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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 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.

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.

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?

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.

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).

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).

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.

The most famous engagement ring in history

Diana chose her sapphire engagement ring from Garrard in 1981.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

James Allen

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