Just as wedding websites and apps have changed the way you plan a wedding, online jewelry retailers are completely transforming the experience of shopping for engagement rings. Gone are the days when you would go to one or two jewelry stores and stress about not being able to find the perfect one. Now, your choices seem limitless as you turn on your computer, pull up a chair, and search for an engagement ring worthy of being worn for a lifetime.
One of our favorites is James Allen, a diamond bridal jewelry company that has revolutionized the industry since it’s inception in 2006. Started by a group of founders with over 60 years experience creating diamonds for retailers such as Tiffany & Co. among others, their business is utilizing cutting-edge technologies to make buying an engagement ring online a completely transparent, affordable, and painless experience for the groom AND the bride. Here’s why we think buying an engagement ring online is a smart thing to do:
1. It’s Beyond Easy
We buy our flat-screen TV’s, furniture, clothes, even our groceries online. These days it’s not only more common to make a major purchase online, but it’s now easier (and safer) than ever. You can search for and select an engagement ring at home without the stress and fuss of having a sales-person pressure you into buying that over-your-budget engagement ring, and with features like free shipping and returns, free ring sizing, and a Lifetime Warranty, online stores like James Allen have made it completely fool-proof.
2. You Can Focus on Quality
If you’ve ever shopped for a diamond, you know how overwhelming the process can be. Engagement rings tend to be men and women’s first foray into fine jewelry, as well as one of the biggest single purchases (aside from a car or home) that a couple will make in their relationship. There are also a lot of things to consider when buying a diamond that you might not have known before, such as whether or not the diamond is conflict-free, is certified by an independent GIA, AGS or IGI lab report, and if there is a Lifetime Warranty on the ring (James Allen excels by offering all three). While you might be worried about seeing all facets of a diamond online, what’s particularly great about a place like James Allen is that they offer Diamond Display Technology, allowing customers to see the diamonds in 360 degrees and magnified 20x to 40x. This is actually BETTER than the jeweler’s loupe you would use to see the diamond in a store….and again, you don’t have a salesperson hovering over you while you look!
3. It’s Affordable
You can find better prices for big-ticket items like engagement rings from online-only retailers because they don’t have the overhead cost brands with brick and mortar locations have. At James Allen, for instance, you can actually save 30-50% by buying online vs. in-store. Being able to focus on one thing and one thing only (like selling the perfect ring) becomes a priority, and the cost benefit extends to you.
4. You Have WAY More Choices
Inventory is limited at brick and mortar locations…whether you’re going to a big name retailer or a small jewelry store. James Allen has over 100K+ “Certified Diamonds” and hundreds of settings to choose from, allowing you to create the right combination of the 4 C’s (cut, clarity, color, and, carat) for your taste and budget.
5. It Will Always Be Special
Buying an engagement ring online does not take away from the experience. In fact, I would argue that it makes engagement ring shopping THAT much better. Trekking from store to store can be stressful, expensive, and cloud a potentially nerve-wrecking time for you and/or your future spouse. Being able to speak to a graduate gemologist and other expert customer service members at any time about a ring you fell in love with on the site (or even designing a custom engagement ring…yes, you can do that, too!) is why an online retailer like James Allen will become the go-to source for unique and affordable, quality engagement rings. Feeling confident and comfortable with your decision is what helps make special occasions “special,” and one that you will never forget.
We’re super proud to have James Allen be part of the Woman Getting Married Guest List! Our Guest List is a paid sponsorship program that only features vendors we love. Visit JamesAllen.com to design your own engagement ring and browse their entire collection.
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Excellent share!! Shopping for an engagement ring online comes with a lot of advantages which you should ideally take.
Unless you are a diamond expert and have a diamond scale in your house, I think this is a very bad idea. Imagine that you order a 1 carat stone in a plain setting, and someone else, same day, orders a 1/2 carat stone in the same plain setting. The company sends you the 1/2 carat and the 1 carat stone goes to the person who ordered the 1/2. How would you even know the weight of the stone you got? Let’s say you notice that your stone looks too small, and you call them. Do you think that they will agree to take back the 1/2 and give you a 1 carat, or is it more likely that they’ll say “you switched the stone” and refuse to give you a refund? Don’t be stupid! Brick-and-mortar stores have reputations to protect, and this kind of problem could be resolved easily and without drama in an “in-person” situation. Don’t risk it!