OVERALL SCORE:

9.3
10

Strongly Recommended

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 confidently 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. You can visit their website at cullenjewellery.com

OVERALL SCORE:

6.2
10

Not Recommended

Grown Brilliance is a relatively new entry to the jewellery market, specialising in lab grown diamond engagement rings designed in New York and manufactured in India. While we found positives to their offerings, our research suggests a need to consider Grown Brilliance with caution. Let’s dive into the key points.

The ring quality at Grown Brilliance seems average to us, and while their designs show promise, we found that recurring issues presented themselves. Customers have reported issues with loose or crooked stones, which we find concerning. Our tests highlighted inconsistencies in polish and overall craftsmanship, and proven details like uneven claws and minor porosity detracted from the product in our opinion. While some test results were reassuring, what we considered to be subtle issues in the setting suggested to us that their rings may not have the durability to last a lifetime.

When it comes to value, Grown Brilliance appears to offer above-average affordability compared to the jewellers we’ve reviewed, which we consider to be a win for you if you’re budget-conscious. However, we found that the savings come with trade-offs in areas like post-purchase care and accessibility for international clients. For example, resizing is free for US-based clients, but global clients are left out entirely, which, in our opinion, feels shortsighted for a company selling to several countries. Overall, when factoring in potential additional costs over the lifetime of a Grown Brilliance engagement ring, we considered them to only offer average value overall.

To us, experiences as a buyer at Grown Brilliance seemed to be relatively mixed. Our 3rd party mystery shopper’s in-store appointment revealed what appeared to be a strength, with knowledgeable staff and a comfortable consultation environment, though the lack of proper lighting for showcasing diamonds was an unexpected and avoidable inconvenience in our opinion. Online, we found that their website offers transparent pricing and a decent product selection, but the customisation tool suffers from glitches, and there are some inaccuracies when it comes to product imagery. Communication, both before and after purchase, is another area where inconsistency seems common, in our experience. Additionally, in reviews, some customers reported smooth interactions, while others highlighted delays and a lack of clarity during returns or servicing.

In our opinion, when it comes to sustainability, Grown Brilliance does well in certain areas, exclusively using lab-grown diamonds and claiming to have a carbon-neutral supply chain. However, the lack of specificity in these areas raises our doubts. We consider that their public contributions, while they might be commendable, lack transparency around impact and scale.

In summary, Grown Brilliance’s offerings may appeal to you if you’re based in the US and looking for a budget-friendly jeweller that offers lab grown diamonds. However, in our opinion, their inconsistent quality control, limited international support, and patchy communication may leave you wanting more. If reliability and comprehensive service are high on your priority list, we recommend that you consider exploring other higher rated jewellers that may be better equipped to meet those needs.

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:

3.3
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:

5.7
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:

7.5
10

Sustainability

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

SCORE:

8.3
10

SCORE:

6.7
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:

5.6
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

If you prioritise high quality, sustainability, positive reviews, and strong overall value, it’s our opinion that Cullen Jewellery would be suitable for you.

Our research evidences that they provide consistently high standards of customer service, post-purchase care, online communication, appointment experience, and education. In our opinion, their policies, from warranty to production time and shipping, are reasonable and prioritise your needs. We found it easy to purchase a ring via their functional website, and international customers should find that Cullen Jewellery’s services are largely accessible. However, you will need to be sure of your purchasing decision, as Cullen Jewellery doesn’t offer change of mind returns on their rings.

After conducting a comprehensive review of Cullen Jewellery’s products and services, we can confidently recommend them to you for all of your engagement ring needs.

If you’d like to view more information, you can visit our rankings to confirm which jeweller best suits your needs.

We’ve found that the offerings of Grown Brilliance seem to most suit US-based customers rather than those that live outside of the US. Where Grown Brilliance does have some good sustainability and community initiatives, in our opinion they don’t stand out among other jewellers, some who we consider to be much more transparent about how they give back to the environment. Attending in-person appointments seems to be a positive experience across the board, but this goes for most jewellers in our experience.

We consider that Grown Brilliance may need to improve on expanding their services to include international customers, as well as following through on their promises by maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of their communication, primarily online.

For these reasons, if you’re considering making a purchase from Grown Brilliance, we recommend doing so with caution.

If you would like to determine which jewellers stand out above the rest for their excellence and customer care, we would recommend viewing our rankings to see which jeweller best suits your needs.