OVERALL SCORE

9.3
10

Strongly Recommended

Last updated: November 2, 2024

Cullen Jewellery has established itself as a trustworthy jeweller specialising in custom lab grown diamond and moissanite engagement rings. If you’re looking for high-quality, reliable, ethical, and sustainable options, we can Strongly Recommend Cullen Jewellery based on our extensive research.

Cullen Jewellery’s commitment to craftsmanship is evident throughout our research- customers rave about the durability and quality of their rings, and it’s refreshing to see no complaints about loose stones or bent prongs, issues which are all too common amongst the other jewellers we have researched. Cullen Jewellery’s pricing is also highly competitive, coming in at around 23% more affordable than the other brands, and making them one of the best value jewellers we have ever reviewed. Coupled with excellent shipping policies, free resizing within 12 months, and a lifetime warranty covering all manufacturing defects, it’s our strong opinion that Cullen Jewellery has designed their service with you in mind.

Visiting their showroom is memorable for all the right reasons. The consultants are knowledgeable and approachable, guiding you through the options without making you feel pressured to purchase. Cullen Jewellery’s clean, light-filled showrooms include unique touches like a view into the jeweller’s workspace, literally and figuratively enhancing transparency. Their website is just as polished. We consider it to be easy to use, packed with educational content, and perfect for efficiently browsing their extensive customisation options.

Cullen Jewellery excels in sustainability by exclusively offering lab grown diamonds that are certified carbon neutral, through a well-documented partnership with Clear Neutral. Furthermore, they plant a tree for every ring sold, demonstrating a tangibly positive environmental impact. Their charitable efforts, including sponsorships for children, volunteer leave for staff, and support for cancer research and local community initiatives, solidify their practical dedication to broader societal causes.

One thing to take into consideration is the absence of change of mind returns on engagement rings. However, we’re not concerned about this for a few reasons, which we’ll outline. In the experience of our dedicated mystery shoppers, Cullen Jewellery’s appointments are thorough, and the sales consultants provide in-depth education so you can make the right decision. They place a large educational emphasis on their website and social media just in case you’re not local to one of their showrooms, and this is proven through the availability of virtual appointments and an extensive range of educational blogs. Cullen Jewellery are also known to facilitate resizing and other ring adjustments inexpensively. On top of this, you are given an added layer of protection via a complimentary lifetime warranty in the rare case that your Cullen Jewellery ring has a manufacturing defect. And at the end of the day, it is unlikely that you’ll want to part with such a sentimental item anyway.

With stellar craftsmanship, excellent value, and a clear ethical focus, Cullen Jewellery is our jeweller of choice for those seeking sustainable, high quality jewellery. For this reason, Cullen Jewellery is Strongly Recommended for purchasing your engagement ring.

You can visit their website at cullenjewellery.com

OVERALL SCORE

5.9
10

Not Recommended

Last updated: November 21, 2024

For a well-known business with a strong brand presence (evidenced by their high Google search results ranking, influencer partnerships, functional website, and regular sustainability reports), we found ourselves disappointed by what we discovered about Brilliant Earth.

Pouring through Brilliant Earth’s customer reviews and product offerings revealed issues which, in our opinion, you should carefully consider.

“Terrible craftsmanship”
“Never shop here”
“Constant repair required”

Customer reviews highlight issues with ring quality, sharing reports of loose stones and cracks in settings. These craftsmanship pitfalls, accompanied by mentions of precious metals discolouring over time, raise our concerns about the durability and long-term value of the rings at Brilliant Earth. While we discovered that Brilliant Earth offers a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects, we noticed that the policy excludes coverage for metal discolouration. We consider this to be a notable omission given public complaints about their metal quality in online reviews.

Reviews about customer service also shine a light on the varied experiences encountered both in-person and online. In these reviews, clients report rushed in-store consultations and pressure to make purchases. In our opinion online support appears to be even worse, with reports of unreturned emails, unanswered calls, and limited assistance post-purchase. Reviews cite difficulties with engagement ring resizing, delayed return processes, and communication breakdowns, which may be troubling for clients seeking solutions for urgent issues.

Brilliant Earth’s sustainability efforts and educational resources are commendable in our opinion, but we found gaps in their international accessibility. Our research found that international buyers may encounter additional challenges such as unclear duties, taxes, and shipping policies, as well as limited local servicing options.

Despite their appealing ethical focus and clear policies, in our opinion, we find that Brilliant Earth’s product quality and customer care have failed clients who trusted them to provide a quality engagement ring. We consider these to be serious issues, so for such an important milestone like your engagement, so purchasing from Brillaint Earth is Not Recommended.

Keep reading our review to find out how we came to this conclusion.

What Our Scores Mean

Strongly Recommended (9 – 10)

This jeweller represents the very best in the industry. They set the gold standard. You can choose this jeweller with confidence, knowing you’re in the best hands.

Recommended (8 - 8.9)

This jeweller is well above average in all key areas - they certainly deserve a spot on your shortlist. A great option for most buyers.

Caution Advised (7 - 7.9)

This jeweller has a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Consider them if they align with your priorities, but be aware of potential trade-offs. Proceed with caution.

Not Recommended (0 - 6.9)

We’ve identified significant concerns with this jeweller. They fail to meet the standards we expect. For your peace of mind, we recommend exploring other options.

Ring Quality

We read customer feedback and put each ring through a six-step durability test. We analyse build quality, polish, and metal to ensure the ring can stand the test of time (and everyday wear).

SCORE

9.7
10

SCORE

2.4
10

Value

We consider upfront costs and hidden expenses. We account for shipping, resizing, servicing, warranty, and international duties. We also factor in ring quality and the likelihood that you’ll need to pay for repairs down the track.

SCORE

8.8
10

SCORE

4.8
10

Customer Experience

We factor in the customer service, appointment experience, ordering process, website, online communication, post-purchase care, and education offered by the jeweller.

SCORE

9.1
10

SCORE

6.5
10

Sustainability

We assess carbon reduction efforts, sustainable material sourcing, and charitable contributions.

SCORE

8.3
10

SCORE

4
10

The Nitty Gritty

From customisation options to production times, warranties, shipping and returns policies, and international accessibility, we decode the small details for you.

SCORE

8.6
10

SCORE

7.5
10

Reviews

We read Google, Trustpilot, Yelp, and Glassdoor reviews to learn about customer and employee experiences. In particular, we read reviews specifically related to customer service, online communication, post-purchase care, production and shipping.

SCORE

9.3
10

SCORE

5.7
10

Conclusion

For anyone seeking a custom, responsibly made engagement ring with exceptional craftsmanship and dependable service, we Strongly Recommend Cullen Jewellery.

Cullen Jewellery has firmly established itself as one of the most trustworthy and value-driven jewellers in the industry. Their rings—crafted with lab grown diamonds, moissanite, and other lab grown gemstones—consistently stand out in both quality and durability, and their customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with 98.5% of over 7,000 reviews rated five stars. In our own hands-on testing, their ring outperformed every other we assessed, showing impressive resilience under rigorous conditions with expert stone setting, thoughtful design, and flawless structural integrity.

Their value is exceptional, with rings averaging 23% more affordable than competitors, without compromising on quality or service. This is further supported by generous aftercare policies, including free resizing within 12 months, complimentary ultrasonic cleaning, and a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects—all of which demonstrate a strong focus on long-term customer satisfaction.

Cullen Jewellery also sets the bar in customer experience. Mystery shoppers consistently reported warm, educational, and pressure-free consultations, while online communication was prompt, thorough, and informative. Their light-filled showrooms offer visibility into the jeweller’s workspace—literally enhancing transparency—and their website is clean, informative, and easy to navigate. Even post-purchase care receives glowing reviews, with customers highlighting ease of servicing and regular updates throughout the crafting process.

Where Cullen Jewellery truly shines is in its sustainable and community driven leadership. They exclusively sell carbon-neutral lab grown diamonds through a transparent partnership with Clear Neutral, plant a tree for every ring sold, and support meaningful causes such as cancer research and children’s sponsorship programs. They also offer paid volunteer leave to staff and regularly donate to organisations including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and The Otis Foundation.

One consideration is that Cullen Jewellery does not offer change-of-mind returns on engagement rings. However, in our opinion, their educational resources, detailed consultations, and outstanding build quality reduce the likelihood of buyer regret. Their policy is clearly communicated, and in practice, clients receive comprehensive support and post-sale flexibility if adjustments are needed.

In summary, Cullen Jewellery excels across every category that matters—ring quality, customer service, ethical responsibility, and overall value. They are one of the few jewellers we feel confident recommending without hesitation.

Cullen Jewellery is Strongly Recommended for those seeking a meaningful, well-crafted, and sustainable engagement ring.

If you would like to learn more about Cullen Jewellery you can visit their website cullenjewellery.com

For those seeking an ethically branded engagement ring from a well-known jeweller, Brilliant Earth may appear on the outside to be a strong contender. Their wide retail footprint, attractive online presence, and sustainability messaging are appealing on the surface. They offer extensive educational content, a lifetime warranty, and decent policies for U.S.-based buyers.

However, we Don’t Recommend Brilliant Earth, particularly due to significant concerns around craftsmanship, product durability and service inconsistencies.

Our hands-on testing and customer review analysis revealed consistent flaws in ring quality. We observed loose stones, misaligned prongs, visible scratches, poor polishing, and metal cracking—even before the ring was worn. Customer reviews echoed these issues, with many citing broken settings, fragile rings, and repeated repairs soon after purchase. These aren’t faults we’d expect from a ring intended to symbolise lifelong commitment.

Post-purchase care and customer service also fell short of expectations. Reports of unresponsive emails, unanswered calls, and delayed servicing were common. Many customers described stressful experiences with resizing, refunds, and warranty claims. International buyers face even greater hurdles, including vague duties, no local servicing, and unexpected fees for resizing or repairs.

Brilliant Earth’s ethical messaging feels undermined by these quality and service gaps. Their “beyond conflict-free” standard lacks robust traceability, and many of their diamonds are still mined. While they offer some sustainability initiatives, their execution and follow-through don’t appear to match their marketing.

Despite their strong branding and positive in-store first impressions, we believe the repeated issues in quality, durability, and post-purchase care outweigh the benefits.

We Don’t Recommend Brilliant Earth. For an investment as meaningful as an engagement ring, we suggest exploring jewellers who offer consistently high quality, transparent service, and truly durable craftsmanship.

Visit our rankings page to find the best jeweller for your values and needs.