James Allen, established in 2006, is a well-known American jeweller specialising in engagement rings and fine jewellery. Although we consider them to provide an impressive range of customisation options and a highly functional online shopping experience, our evaluation suggests that while James Allen may seem appealing at first glance, their service delivery and product quality leave room for improvement. For this reason, we Don't Recommend James Allen.

Ring quality at James Allen seems to be inconsistent in our opinion, and this is reflected in customer reviews. While some buyers have praised the craftsmanship, others have reported issues such as loose stones, degraded bands, and poorly crafted settings. Although our own testing revealed an adequate initial polish and a symmetrically set centrestone, it also uncovered flaws like overpolished claws and uneven melee stone settings that undermined the overall quality in our opinion. We consider these structural issues to be significant if you’re looking to invest in an engagement ring that’s likely to last a lifetime.

In terms of value, James Allen falls slightly below the other jewellers we have reviewed. Their pricing is about 9% more expensive than the competition, which we would find acceptable if their ring quality was consistently high- but, according to our research, this isn’t the case. While policies around returns, resizing, and servicing are robust, it seems that they don’t always follow through on these, evidenced by reviews that cite delayed returns, badly done repairs, and poor communication. In our opinion, these shortcomings are likely to impact trust and satisfaction, especially if you’re making a purchase online.

According to our research, customer service seems to contradict itself at times. In-store experiences seem generally positive, providing knowledgeable and friendly consultants that create a welcoming atmosphere. Online communication, however, seems inconsistent, evidenced by reports of slow or impersonal responses to inquiries. We consider that shipping appears to be similarly hit-or-miss, with some customers praising timely delivery while others report unexpected import taxes and delays.

James Allen’s sustainability and community initiatives seem to be minimal compared to the other jewellers we have reviewed. While they offer lab grown diamonds, they also sell mined diamonds, and their ethical efforts appear to be limited to compliance with the Kimberley Process, which is a standard we find inadequate. There is no evidence that they contribute to any charitable initiatives, reflecting what we perceive to be a lack of commitment to social impact.

While James Allen has strong policies and a mostly user-friendly online platform, their reported quality issues mean that we Don't Recommend them. If you’re seeking a reliable option, we suggest considering other jewellers with stronger track records for quality and customer care.

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 led us to Not Recommend Grown Brilliance. 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. For these reasons we Do Not Recommend Grown Brilliance.