James Allen is one of the most popular online jewelry retailers, known for selling high-quality diamond rings, earrings, pendants, and other fine jewelry at affordable prices.
But is James Allen legit company you can trust? In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at James Allen, including its history, business practices, and reputation, to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your jewelry purchase.
Overview of James Allen
JamesAllen.com is an online-only jewelry company founded in 1998 and based in Washington, D.C. It sells its jewelry directly to consumers online rather than through a brick-and-mortar store.
James Allen offers a wide selection of diamond and gemstone jewelry at competitive prices, with a focus on engagement rings and wedding bands. The company sells loose diamonds, settings, diamond rings, earrings, pendants, and other fine jewelry.
Some key facts about James Allen:
- Founded in 1998, 20+ years in business
- Headquartered in Washington, D.C.
- Online-only company, no physical stores
- Specializes in diamond rings, earrings, pendants
- Large selection of loose diamonds and settings
- Over 200,000 diamonds in stock
- Ships to over 100 countries worldwide
- 360-degree diamond display technology
- 100% money-back guarantee
James Allen’s Business Practices and Reputation
So what are James Allen’s business practices really like, and what do customers have to say about the experience of buying from them? Here’s a deeper look at how James Allen operates and its reputation in the jewelry industry.
Sourcing and Quality of Diamonds
James Allen says they only sell naturally-mined diamonds that meet the highest standards in quality. They source diamonds directly from mining companies rather than wholesalers, which helps them hand-select each diamond and obtain better prices.
James Allen stocks over 200,000 diamonds, primarily round brilliant, princess, cushion, emerald, and asscher cuts across a range of carat sizes and color/clarity grades.
Reviewers say the quality and sparkle of James Allen’s diamonds are on par with high-end jewelers like Tiffany & Co. Their 360-degree diamond display technology shows diamonds at up to 40x magnification from all angles.
Customers can view imperfections and color differences not visible to the naked eye. This level of transparency helps ensure customers get quality diamonds exactly as represented online.
Craftsmanship of Settings and Jewelry
James Allen offers over 3,000 unique engagement ring and wedding band settings in platinum, gold, and sterling silver. Their in-house team works closely with expert jewelers to design settings and handcraft rings.
Reviewers praise the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in James Allen rings and settings. The finishes and metalwork meet or exceed traditional retail jewelers. Customers can choose from simple solitaires, modern designs, or elaborate vintage-inspired styles. James Allen also offers custom ring design.
Customer Service and Shopping Experience
One area where James Allen really stands apart is customer service. They provide 24/7 support via phone, chat, text, video chat, and email. Their diamond experts are readily available to guide customers through the education and purchase process. James Allen also has an extensive collection of education materials on their website.
Furthermore, James Allen offers a no-questions-asked 30-day returns, lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns. Reviews consistently praise their exceptional return process and responsive support reps. Many reviewers say the customer service exceeds local jewelers and makes them feel comfortable purchasing online.
Price and Value
James Allen positioning itself as an affordable luxury brand. Their prices are generally 20-40% below traditional retail jewelers for similar quality diamonds and designs. Reviewers say James Allen’s diamond prices reflect great value compared to brick-and-mortar stores. With frequent sales and special financing offers, customers feel they get outstanding bang for their buck.
James Allen is able to keep costs low by selling online directly to consumers rather than through stores with large overhead. Their high sales volumes also allow them to obtain diamond stock at lower wholesale prices. Overall, reviewers say James Allen offers significant savings over retail without sacrificing quality.
James Allen Review: Is James Allen Legit? Pros and Cons
Based on James Allen reviews and customer experiences, here are the biggest pros and cons of buying from James Allen:
Pros
- Extensive selection of high-quality diamonds and engagement rings
- 360-degree diamond imaging shows diamonds in detail
- Generally 20-40% cheaper than brick-and-mortar stores
- Excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail on settings
- 24/7 exceptional customer service and support
- 30-day returns, lifetime warranties, free shipping/returns
- Positive reputation over 20+ years in business
Cons
- No physical stores for in-person shopping
- Limited resizing or modification options after purchase
- Occasional shipping delays reported
- Selection not as big for non-engagement rings
- Cannot see diamonds in person before purchase
While there are tradeoffs like the inability to see products in person before you buy, most James Allen customers feel the lower prices, quality, and strong service make it worthwhile to shop online.
Is James Allen Legit and Trustworthy?
Based on its transparent business practices, stellar reputation, and thousands of positive customer reviews, James Allen is overwhelmingly considered a legit and trustworthy online jeweler. Here is a summary of why most people can confidently make purchases through James Allen:
- Proven history – Over 20 years in business and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Display full business credentials on website.
- High-quality products – Diamonds and jewelry meet or exceed retail store quality based on independent assessments. Extensive collections of top graded diamonds.
- Transparent about inventory – Detailed assessments of each diamond’s characteristics. 360-degree videos and 40x zoom show imperfections.
- Strong customer service – Provide exceptional customer support from diamond selection through after-sales service. Quick resolution of issues.
- Generous return policy – 30-day returns with no restocking fees. Lifetime warranty on metals and craftsmanship.
- Positive reviews – Over 33,000 overwhelmingly positive independent customer reviews across platforms. Very few complaints about deceptive practices or misleading advertising.
- Competitive pricing – Prices consistently 20-40% below typical retail jewelers without inflated markups.
- Secure website and company – SSL encrypted website and protect customer data. No major security incidents.
While buying jewelry online comes with some risk, thousands of people have shopped at James Allen without issue. They take appropriate measures to earn customer trust and demonstrate best practices expected of a high-quality jeweler. There are no glaring red flags based on their reputation, business operations, and customer experiences.
Is James Allen the Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring?
James Allen is one of the top online retailers that should be considered when shopping for an engagement ring or other diamond jewelry. Their selection, service, and prices are hard to beat. However, they are not necessarily the singular “best” choice for every customer.
Some additional factors to weigh when deciding where to buy an engagement ring:
Budget – James Allen offers excellent value across price points, but other stores may have lower cost rings.
Selection – James Allen has one of the largest inventories, but a retailer with physical stores like Blue Nile may offer wider selection of non-diamond styles.
Brand preference – Customers with a preferred designer brand may find a better selection at specific branded retailers.
In-person experience – Some customers still prefer being able to see inventory and work with a jeweler face-to-face before purchasing.
Perks – Retailers offer varying perks like extended return periods or free cleanings/maintenance that may appeal to some buyers.
While James Allen excels in areas like price, quality, and service, each jeweler has their own strengths. Weigh your priorities and preferences to decide if James Allen is your top choice. They are an excellent option worthy of strong consideration. But comparison shopping with other leading retailers can help ensure you select the jeweler that best fits your individual needs.
Should You Buy from James Allen?
James Allen is a highly reputable company that offers superior diamond rings and jewelry at affordable price points. If you are considering James Allen, the possibilities for a positive experience and great value purchase are high. But as with any major purchase, you ultimately have to weigh the pros, cons, and alternatives to decide if it is the best choice for you.
If price, quality, and customer service are priorities, James Allen is hard to top and likely to meet or exceed your expectations. However, every customer’s circumstances and preferences are unique. Be an informed shopper – research James Allen thoroughly and compare with competitors. If James Allen aligns most closely with your jewelry shopping needs, you can buy with confidence knowing they deliver what they promise.
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