Isn’t it confusing when you have to decide where to buy a certain expensive item? In today’s day and age, there are so many options that we’re not even sure where to choose from. Add to that the Internet and the many opinions found there, and you have a recipe for a headache.
Well, there’s not much difference when the item we’re discussing is diamonds. We all know how expensive they get and that only makes the choice harder. You know that your mistake is going to be costly, which is exactly why you need to do your homework.
So, you’ve done it, and you have narrowed your choice but can’t decide between the final two candidates. In particular, you’re wondering: “Is James Allen or Blue Nile better?”.
As that decision-making process can get quite overwhelming, we’ve decided to help you out.
In this article, we’re going to give you all the necessary information on both companies and hopefully help you decide which one is better.
Let’s settle the question once and for all!
What You Should Know Before Choosing A Diamond Jewelry Store
Before we dive into the comparison between James Allen and Blue Nile, we want to share a few of our favorite tips on how to choose the right store to buy diamond jewelry from.
These pieces of advice can help you out in many situations, not only in buying a diamond ring.
Tip #1 – Don’t Rush It
Getting a piece of diamond jewelry, especially a diamond engagement ring, is an exciting and joyous occasion. Those emotions can sometimes make us impatient, which can lead to rash decisions.
Well, since diamonds are expensive little things, we want you to take your time and be sure that you’re making the right choice.
To do that, you should give yourself some time to find the best options. Don’t rush this – enjoy the process and make an informed decision. There is a bunch of information on the Internet that can be helpful to you in this situation, and you shouldn’t skip out on doing your research.
Also, don’t forget that buying diamond jewelry is a wonderful thing and that you should have fun while you’re picking it out. This adventure is definitely not just about the destination but also about the journey.
Tip #2 – Look For Key Credentials
To make sure that you’re buying your diamonds from people who know what they’re talking about, always look for stores that employ people with GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certifications.
That is a sign of knowledge and quality, which are two things you want in a diamond seller.
Additionally, the store’s employees should be AGS (American Gem Society) members – it shows how passionate and knowledgeable they are about this topic, which makes them great helpers to you.
Tip #3 – Look For Good Return And Exchange Policies
When you’re buying stuff online, there are always additional risks: will it look the same as in the picture, what if it doesn’t fit, what if it’s damaged, etc?
Well, to give yourself peace of mind, when you are buying diamonds (and other things) online, you should always make sure that the store you’re buying from has a good return/exchange policy.
This is especially important when you’re spending large amounts of money on something, and diamonds definitely fall into that category.
Tip #4 – Learn The Basics
The world of diamonds abounds with information and loads of different niches of knowledge. Obviously, you don’t have to become an expert in the field before buying a diamond, but you should definitely acquire some basic knowledge.
Start by learning what the 4 Cs are because they are the main factors that determine the price of a diamond, and then move on to some other topics.
We always recommend that you get to know the type of jewelry that you’re going to be buying. If, for example, you’re buying a diamond ring, learn some things about the different types of settings that exist out there. That will give you some confidence in making the final decision, but it will also make the process of choosing much quicker.
James Allen Vs. Blue Nile
It’s time to discuss the main topic at hand – which is better, James Allen or Blue Nile?
We’re going to share with you the pros and cons of both companies and also give you our final verdict on this topic.
James Allen
First off, we have James Allen. They are one of the most well-known and beloved online diamond ring resellers in the world, and for a reason. Here, we’re going to give you all of the reasons for that but also point out where there’s room for improvement.
Pros
They have affordable pricing, 360-degree videos of all of their diamonds, amazing customer service, and a great 30-day full refund policy.
What’s also incredible about James Allen and their diamonds is that they are all certified – either by GIA, IGI, or AGS. Furthermore, all of the diamonds that they offer are conflict-free, lab certified, and examined by a real gemologist.
To add to this awesomeness, James Allen diamonds also have a lifetime warranty, which is a huge plus if anything goes wrong with your purchase. It also shows how confident they are in the quality of their diamonds and rings.
What’s more, James Allen has always been about making diamonds attainable for a larger group of people. For a long time, diamonds were only available to the wealthy, but things are changing now with companies like this.
They offer diamonds of different qualities at different prices, which allows people to get real, certified diamonds that may not be what’s considered “ideal” by experts, but that they still like.
On the other hand, they also offer premium diamonds of perfect cut and are rated highly on the GIA 4 Cs. That collection is called TrueHearts, and it will definitely catch your eye.
As far as their pricing goes, they are mostly on par with their competitors and sometimes even more affordable. Compared to the big names in the diamond jewelry business, James Allen’s prices are as much as 50% lower for diamonds of identical characteristics.
They also offer a wide selection of settings for your jewelry, which gives you lots of room to customize it according to your preferences and style.
Furthermore, James Allen has created an incredible business model that makes sure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience while purchasing diamond jewelry with them.
First of all, they have a wide range of loose diamonds that you can choose from: over 500,000 diamonds in 10 different shapes.
What’s more, you’ll see that they offer lab diamonds, as well. This is a great option for anyone who wants an affordable, eco-friendly, and sustainable diamond.
In addition, James Allen also offers other gemstones that you can put into your jewelry, such as sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Next, they have ensured that you have the perfect view of the diamond you’re interested in. They offer a 360-degree view of every diamond in their warehouse.
Lastly, we cannot gloss over the fact that James Allen guarantees a diamond price match. What does that mean, you may be wondering?
Essentially, it means that if you find a comparable diamond for a lower price somewhere else, they will match that price. This way, you know that you’re not overpaying anything.
As you can see, James Allen is a diamond reseller of the new generation – accessible, high-quality, and diverse.
Cons
Of course, no online store is perfect, and that goes for James Allen as well. Here are a few things that we feel could be improved on.
First of all, there are no reservations for diamonds. That means that you have to act quickly and get your favorite diamond quickly before it’s gone. This can make you feel a bit stressed and add pressure to the situation, which is already intense.
However, the good thing is that, as you know, James Allen has a big selection of diamonds at your disposal, and you are guaranteed to find at least a few diamonds to your liking.
Another thing that can be problematic is the fact that shipping can be delayed. This is due to the fact that each ring and piece of jewelry is hand-crafted, which can take a bit of time to be done
Blue Nile
Now, let’s discuss Blue Nile and its advantages and disadvantages. You’ll see that this online reseller is also a great choice for buying diamonds and diamond jewelry on the Internet, but we’ll also share what we think could be made better about their service.
Pros
We’ll start with the good.
One of the main things that Blue Nile is known for is its incredibly affordable and competitive prices. You will find amazing diamonds of different quality and different price ranges at significantly lower prices than at some big-name brands.
What’s more, you’ll get a free virtual consultation which will allow you to clear up any confusion about buying a diamond and also get some good advice on what the best diamond for your needs is.
When compared to James Allen, Blue Nile has more physical showrooms, which makes it easier for you to see your diamond in person before buying it if that’s what you want.
Another advantage of this reseller is the fact that they have a wide range of fine jewelry, not just rings. Also, all of their diamonds are inspected in person, guaranteeing quality to a higher degree than companies that operate on the drop-ship model.
Much like James Allen, Blue Nile also offers a price match, which is a huge plus and gives you a lot of security. This means that they are confident in the fact that they have the lowest prices on the market.
Furthermore, they guarantee conflict-free sourcing. They subscribe to what’s called the Kimberly Process, meaning that they track diamonds from the mines to the market, which ensures that the diamond is authentic.
Moreover, Blue Nile offers other gems, as well as pearls, which significantly broaden your possibilities when designing your dream ring and jewelry in general.
Cons
Now that you know about the pros of this reseller, we have to mention a few of the drawbacks.
First off, they have a limited number of settings. When you’re looking for a perfect diamond engagement ring, you want to have your options open and be able to choose from as many settings as possible.
That’s why some people prefer shopping over at James Allen, as they are known for having a bunch of settings available on their online store.
The next con is that they are also limited in their yellow and rose gold options for rings. This further limits your design options when combined with the number of settings at your disposal.
What’s more, not all of Blue Nile’s diamonds are available in the 360-degree view. This means that you may not be able to have the perfect view of the diamonds you’re interested in, which leaves some additional room for error in choosing.
However, some people wouldn’t exactly consider these cons, as giving you fewer options lowers the chances of long deliberations and being indecisive. Sometimes, more options just make you more overwhelmed.
The Final Verdict
So, what do we think – which is better, James Allen or Blue Nile?
Well, according to our estimations and the facts that we’ve shared with you, James Allen seems to be the better choice, especially if you’re looking to buy a diamond engagement ring.
It simply comes down to the number of options, the quality of the diamonds and jewelry they sell, as well as the quality of the service.
While both online resellers are great and have a great reputation that is based on years of positive experiences with their customers, James Allen comes out on top.
If you shop with them, you’re surrounded by the benefits of choice, ethics, comfort, and quality.
Whatever you choose to buy from them, you’re sure to be satisfied with the finished product once you have it in your hands.
At the end of this article, we hope that you are left with useful information. There is nothing better than being confident in your choice and knowing that you’re buying from a reputable and secure online diamond jewelry reseller.
That’s exactly why it’s great that you came to this article with the question: “Is James Allen or Blue Nile better?”. You were interested in learning and making sure that you spend your money in the best way possible.
As you were able to see, both companies are great and have a satisfied customer base. However, the pros and cons of James Allen have outweighed those of Blue Nile.
They will ensure that you are satisfied with what you have spent your money on and that the process of choosing is as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
So, now that you know all of this, you can go ahead and enjoy buying your diamond jewelry online with the confidence of an informed buyer.
We won’t hold you up anymore. Have fun shopping!