James Allen vs Jared for May 2024 | Best Lab Grown Diamond Stores (2024)

James Allen

• About 350 pieces of lab-grown diamond jewelry to choose from, ranging in price from $200 to $70,000
• Over 47,000 loose lab-created diamonds to choose from, ranging in price from $2,590 to $122,000+
• Real-time diamond inspections
• Free shipping worldwide
• 30-day postage-paid returns
• Lifetime warranty
• Free engraving
• 24/7 customer service via toll-free number, live chat, email
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for over 20 years

If you're in the market for lab-created diamond jewelry, James Allen is the name to remember. Their selection of both loose stones and ready-to-order pieces is exceptional, but what really sets them apart is their impressive array of customer benefits. This includes free worldwide shipping on every order, a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects, and 24/7 customer service. With thousands of happy shoppers awarding this retailer a perfect five-star rating, we are glad to name it as our top choice for lab-grown diamond jewelry as well.

Jared

• Over 300 lab-grown diamond pieces to choose from
• Prices range from $499 to $50,000
• In business for almost 100 years
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• Returns or exchanges accepted within 30 days of purchase date
• Free gift wrap on online orders picked up in-store
• Free second-day shipping on in-stock, non-personalized items

Even if "he went to Jared" for your lab-created diamond purchase, you might be wishing he wouldn't have. Despite Jared being part of a reputable brand family (that includes several other retailers in our evaluation), this jeweler just can't hold up its end of the customer service deal - refusing to stand behind what it sells and disappointing shoppers left and right. You'll almost certainly have a better experience buying your lab-grown diamond jewelry somewhere else.

The 12 Best Lab Grown Diamond Stores

James Allen

Grown Brilliance

Ritani

12FIFTEEN

VRAI

Blue Nile

Brilliant Earth

Zales

Reeds Jewelers

Helzberg Diamonds

Kay Jewelers

Jared

Where Can You Find the Best Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, are man-made gemstones that are created in a laboratory environment using advanced technological processes that mimic the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the earth's mantle.

Sounds pretty technical, but the amazing thing is that these diamonds are essentially identical in chemical, physical, and optical properties to natural diamonds mined from the earth. They are also graded on the same 4Cs scale used for natural diamonds, which stands for cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. All of the same sparkle factor? Yes, please!

Continued from above...

Better yet, lab-grown diamonds are generally less expensive than natural stones of the same size and quality. And, if you've ever been concerned by the idea of "blood diamonds" , lab-grown stones are perfect for you: they don't involve the environmentally damaging (and often unethical) practices associated with natural diamond mining.

However, lab-grown diamonds have a few small drawbacks. One major concern is that they may not hold their value over time as well as natural diamonds, since they aren't as rare or unique. Additionally, some people may prefer the idea of owning a natural diamond as a symbol of their love or commitment - even if lab-created stones are undetectable as such to the average person's eye.

When you realize that some jewelers offering lab-grown diamonds have an inventory of over 100,000 stones to choose from, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Take a deep breath, try to enjoy the process a little, and use these ideas to make your shopping easier:

• Filters. The quickest way to narrow down thousands upon thousands of choices is through smart use of filters. Most sites will let you select your preferred stone shape (round, oval, heart, pear) and set a price range. If you already know what clarity or color parameters you'll accept, indicate those as well.
• Consultations. It can be confusing to create an engagement ring or other custom piece of jewelry, or even to understand the ins and outs of lab-grown diamonds. Some retailers offer consultations, either virtually via video call or in-person at a location near you. Take advantage of this service if you're feeling nervous or you just want an extra set of eyes to look over your design or purchase.
• Customer benefits. Know what to expect with any jewelry store you're considering. How long will you have to make a return if the "Will you marry me?" doesn't get a "yes" answer, or if those earrings just don't look as good in person as they did online? What's the warranty coverage? Is there a price match guarantee if you find a similar lab-created diamond somewhere else?
• Reputation. Other shoppers' feedback is a great way to gauge if a retailer of lab-grown diamond jewelry is doing a good job. Check out customer photos of the rings, bracelets, and so on: how do they look in the "real world" ? Is there any pattern of complaints? Has the store received a favorable grade from the Better Business Bureau?

Shopping for jewelry made with lab-grown diamonds can be an exhilarating experience, and Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular retailers to give you an advantage as you browse. We hope this information helps take the edge off any nervousness you might be feeling, so that you can find - or create - the perfect piece of jewelry for that proposal, anniversary, or "just because" moment.