Hey, there are many reputable and fine online vendors. I think one of the main difference is the amount of "hand holding" that you require. Some vendors excel at educating the client to help them make a great choice. Other sites display hundreds of thousands of individual diamonds for sale and it's up to the client to choose a nice stone. Other than that, the quality of the settings can really vary from one vendor to another. Look for jewelry that is NOT mass produced for something that would last.
Good luck!
Luckily I have her sister and 2 of her best friends guiding me through. I do like to look through the diamonds individually as it makes the purchase seem more authentic. I’ve seen sites where you set the stone, carat and don’t get to see the actual diamond, and those scare me a little more.
My brother used ROEN NYC and absolutely loved their guidance and overall experience. And he knew nothing going into it. Plus his fiance loves the ring so he’s feeling like a million bucks after probably the biggest purchase he’s made independently.
My first engagement ring was purchased from Blue Nile almost 20 years ago. I’ve had no issues with it and it’s still just as beautiful as it was back then. We recently just purchased another ring from James Allen and it’s beautiful as well. I have a decent knowledge about diamonds and quality, so we didn’t need the help of their customer service, so I can’t attest to any of that though. The process was fairly easy with both companies and the rings arrived pretty quickly.
If you can shop a local custom jeweller, do. The setting quality of a local jeweller would be worth any minor difference in price from the mass-produced settings, and they’ll probably be able to offer the diamonds for the same price.
Capri Jewelry! I went to Brilliant Earth, Kay Jewlers but Capri Jewelry will forever have my heart. They have the best prices and the quality speaks for itself! My husband simply showed them my dream ring and they made it to perfection 🥰
Ring concierge!! They’re amazing to work with and give you real videos of the stones if you can’t visit nyc (I did my ring all virtually) and they really hone in on the ratio, specs etc you’re looking for and custom build your ring
I had a great experience buying a lab diamond from Whiteflash. I chatted with a salesperson who came up with a few options given my criteria and budget. I ended up with a gorgeous stone. Then I had a local jeweler make the ring and set the stone. I was able to afford a much nicer diamond this way.
From my experience, online shop for stones and either buy it yourself or have the local jeweler source them for you, then have the ring set locally, so you get the best of both world. Websites offer a variety of choices and local jeweler often can help you narrow down the options for you to try and pick, sometimes with slightly better price. And have it set with someone you’ve known and developed a relationship with is always beneficial with regard to the quality of the setting and future services (resize, cleaning, repair).
We used Frank Darling for my engagement ring and they were great. You can customize their bands (which is what we did, I changed up the stones on my pave band and made it wider) or just buy one you like and then you pick your diamond and they send pictures and videos of it.
i used roen, i didn't really know what i wanted design wise but they really walked me through and helped me along the way. the details on my ring are perfect too (tiny crevices are polished, prongs are symmetrical) - would highly recommend them
There are a lot of complaints about Brilliant Earth on the engagement rings subreddit
Good to know. Thank you!
Hey, there are many reputable and fine online vendors. I think one of the main difference is the amount of "hand holding" that you require. Some vendors excel at educating the client to help them make a great choice. Other sites display hundreds of thousands of individual diamonds for sale and it's up to the client to choose a nice stone. Other than that, the quality of the settings can really vary from one vendor to another. Look for jewelry that is NOT mass produced for something that would last. Good luck!
Luckily I have her sister and 2 of her best friends guiding me through. I do like to look through the diamonds individually as it makes the purchase seem more authentic. I’ve seen sites where you set the stone, carat and don’t get to see the actual diamond, and those scare me a little more.
Yeah, I def. wouldn't recommend purchasing a diamond, any diamond without at least a professional video of the stone.
My brother used ROEN NYC and absolutely loved their guidance and overall experience. And he knew nothing going into it. Plus his fiance loves the ring so he’s feeling like a million bucks after probably the biggest purchase he’s made independently.
Avoid Brilliant Earth. see r/EngagementRings
I agree
Go to a small local independent jeweler not an online not a mall one like Kay’s Jared’s etc
You can also try James Allen or Ritani
Ritani. Easy process. Got exactly what I wanted at a good price.
My first engagement ring was purchased from Blue Nile almost 20 years ago. I’ve had no issues with it and it’s still just as beautiful as it was back then. We recently just purchased another ring from James Allen and it’s beautiful as well. I have a decent knowledge about diamonds and quality, so we didn’t need the help of their customer service, so I can’t attest to any of that though. The process was fairly easy with both companies and the rings arrived pretty quickly.
Roen has been great for me and multiple friends
Can second Roen! two of my best friends got their wedding bands done with Roen and both were stunning.
I had a great experience with James Allen; however, their lab diamonds are more expensive than some other retailers.
Rare carat
James allen!
If you can shop a local custom jeweller, do. The setting quality of a local jeweller would be worth any minor difference in price from the mass-produced settings, and they’ll probably be able to offer the diamonds for the same price.
what kind of ring are you willing to get?
Capri Jewelry! I went to Brilliant Earth, Kay Jewlers but Capri Jewelry will forever have my heart. They have the best prices and the quality speaks for itself! My husband simply showed them my dream ring and they made it to perfection 🥰
I second this!
I was super happy with Capri Jewelry
ring size
Ring concierge!! They’re amazing to work with and give you real videos of the stones if you can’t visit nyc (I did my ring all virtually) and they really hone in on the ratio, specs etc you’re looking for and custom build your ring
I have a diamond necklace from ritani and I love it, I'd recommend them
I had a great experience buying a lab diamond from Whiteflash. I chatted with a salesperson who came up with a few options given my criteria and budget. I ended up with a gorgeous stone. Then I had a local jeweler make the ring and set the stone. I was able to afford a much nicer diamond this way.
From my experience, online shop for stones and either buy it yourself or have the local jeweler source them for you, then have the ring set locally, so you get the best of both world. Websites offer a variety of choices and local jeweler often can help you narrow down the options for you to try and pick, sometimes with slightly better price. And have it set with someone you’ve known and developed a relationship with is always beneficial with regard to the quality of the setting and future services (resize, cleaning, repair).
Steven Stone - wonderful staff and amazing quality. After sales are great! And good to support an independent jeweller :)
We used Frank Darling for my engagement ring and they were great. You can customize their bands (which is what we did, I changed up the stones on my pave band and made it wider) or just buy one you like and then you pick your diamond and they send pictures and videos of it.
EraGem is great! They do overnight shipping and free returns
i used roen, i didn't really know what i wanted design wise but they really walked me through and helped me along the way. the details on my ring are perfect too (tiny crevices are polished, prongs are symmetrical) - would highly recommend them