Grown Brilliance

OVERALL SCORE:

6.2
10

Not Recommended

Grown Brilliance logo
Grown Brilliance

Grown Brilliance Review

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.
RING QUALITY
3.3/10
VALUE
5.7/10
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
7.5/10
SUSTAINABILITY
6.7/10
THE NITTY GRITTY
5.6/10
REVIEWS
5.7/10

Gallery

Ring Quality

SCORE:

3.3
10

Summary

“When the ring arrived, I noticed my center lab diamond was quite loose…”

“My ring is beautiful… but the quality is terrible.”

“They repaired it when I had a diamond that fell out…”

Grown Brilliance’s ring quality reveals a mix of strengths and weaknesses in our opinion, making them a jeweller we approach with reservations. In reviews, customers praise the craftsmanship and beauty of their rings, but cite recurring issues like loose stones, crooked settings, and stones falling out, which raises our concerns. While no reviews mentioned poor metal quality, we consider that the challenges with the stone settings are well worth noting.

Our own tests provided a more comprehensive look at the quality. The unboxing experience was underwhelming to us, with cheap-feeling packaging in our opinion, a dust and lint-covered ring box, and a ring that had fallen out of position during shipping. While the necessary documents, including an IGI certificate, were included, we didn’t consider them to be well-presented.

The polish was hit and miss in our opinion. While there was no visible solder join at the shank base, areas like the centre stone claws and melee stones were under-polished, with visible porosity and scratches on the shank. On a positive note, the ring’s structural integrity seemed strong to us. We noted that the centre stone was set centrally, claws sat flush with the stone, and the metal showed no signs of cracking. However, asymmetry in claw shape and uneven polishing detracted from our overall impression of the ring.

Our durability tests were encouraging for Grown Brilliance in our opinion, with the ring displaying only minor stone movement after being dropped ten times from a height of one metre. We considered that the solid metal band and secure melee stone settings were highlights for this ring.

Ultimately, Grown Brilliance offers average ring quality in our opinion. If their styles appeal to you, we recommend that you proceed with caution and ensure your ring undergoes thorough inspection after purchase.

SCORE:

3.3
10

Customer Reviews

One of the most comprehensive ways to assess the quality of a jeweller’s products is by reading through real customer reviews about how well their rings have held up through everyday wear.

Our dive into Grown Brilliance's ring quality reviews revealed a mix of experiences. Many clients seemed to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of their rings, which we found positive to see.

We did, however, find it unfortunate that there were public mentions of stones falling out, crooked settings, and loose stones. It's reassuring to us that no reviews indicated poor metal quality or tarnishing, but the issues with stone settings are something to be aware of in our opinion. We’ve included some reviews for you to have a look at.

Unboxing

In our experience, unboxing the Grown Brilliance ring was underwhelming. Luckily, all of the important documents were in the packaging, including an IGI diamond certificate. However, all of these documents had been simply affixed to the inside of the outer packaging. In our opinion, almost everything had an unpleasant feel and texture, and felt rather cheap. The ring box had lots of dust and lint stuck to it. When we opened the ring box, the ring had fallen out of its position, which we considered to decrease its security throughout the shipping process.

Polish Test

When we assessed the polish prior to conducting our other tests, we were encouraged to see that there was no visible solder join at the base of the shank. However, in our opinion, the rest of the ring left much to be desired. We considered that the tips of the centre stone claws were a little scratchy and needed more polishing, and the same went for the melee stones. The outer bottom of the shank showed some porosity, leading us to determine that it likely needed more of a polish. The side of the shank had a large scratch, a pit, and a bump which may have been due to the porosity. We also noticed that the insides of the melee stone settings weren’t properly pre-polished, and the inside of the shank was slightly underpolished in our opinion.

Initial Assessment

We were able to gain a deeper understanding of Grown Brilliance’s quality when we examined the rest of the ring. We found that all of the claws sat flush with the centre stone under the microscope, and the culet of the stone was set perfectly centrally. All of the melee stones had a metal cutout from underneath, so that the ring could be cleaned effectively. There was also no sign of cracking anywhere in the metal, which we found encouraging. Unfortunately, the centre stone claws weren’t set completely symmetrically, and there was one claw that looked a lot shorter than the others. The shape of the claw looked uneven, and one side was more flat. However, all of the claws had been cut to perfectly fit the centrestone, enhancing the integrity of the design. When it came to the hidden halo, the top claws looked good, but the bottom ones had been overpolished in our opinion. The melee stones in the gallery had been set well, and there appeared to be enough metal on all of them. However, the melee stones on the band had some bezeling occurring, and the stones looking slightly smaller than their settings as a result. We found the thickness of the band to be consistent and appropriate.

Cloth Test

When we rubbed a cloth over the face of the centre stone, none of the fibres of the material caught in the claws, which, in our opinion, is a testament to how they were fitted flush to the stone.

Drop Test

Prior to being dropped ten times from a height of one metre, none of the stones were loose. After five drops, none of them were loosened, but after dropping the ring ten times, the centrestone loosened slightly. This was only visible when prodding it with tweezers. Overall the Grown Brilliance ring scored quite well on this test in comparison to many of the other jewellers.

Claw Bending Test

When we bent back a centre stone claw, no cracking occurred. It looked normal to us, and overall, due to the thickness of the claws, it was quite difficult to bend back. Despite this, the stone came very loose as, in our opinion, it wasn’t sitting properly in the hidden halo.

Sawing The Band Test

The band was stamped to confirm the advertised metal type, and when we sawed through the band, we were able to confirm that the metal was solid.

Overall, we found Grown Brilliance’s ring quality to be average, and would advise approaching the jeweller with caution if, after reading this, you think they would suit your needs.

Value

SCORE:

5.7
10

Summary

According to our research, Grown Brilliance offers average value, with pricing approximately 20% lower than the average of the other jewellers we’ve reviewed. This affordability, combined with solid shipping and duties/taxes policies, may make them a reasonable option for you if you’re conscious of budget.

Their resizing, cleaning, and servicing policies rank below average. Although they rank lower than other jewellers when it comes to ring quality reviews, their ring did not score poorly enough in our ring testing procedures to completely undermine the value proposition.

If you’re prioritising affordability and some comprehensive policies, Grown Brilliance stands out as a meaningful contender. However, given the presence of mixed client feedback on ring quality and servicing, you should carefully consider these factors to ensure you’re comfortable with the trade-offs. On the whole, Grown Brilliance offers relatively average overall value for its price point in our opinion.

SCORE:

5.7
10

Value

According to our research, we found Grown Brilliance’s overall value to be average when compared to the rest of the jewellers we reviewed. In order to assess the value of a ring, we take into account the price of the ring, the quality, the shipping policy, the cost of repairs and servicing, the cost of resizing, and the cost of duties and taxes. We weight each category accordingly to ensure that our ratings are accurate and reflective of the overall value of a jeweller’s offerings.

When we compared the cost of their rings with the average cost of the other rings we’ve researched, we found Grown Brilliance to be approximately 20% more affordable. Grown Brilliance additionally has an above average shipping policy and duties/taxes policy. Their cleaning and servicing rating is below average, and the quality of their rings appears to be at a lower level than other jewellers, according to customer reviews. Overall, in comparison to the other jewellers we’ve researched, we consider the value of Grown Brilliance’s offerings to be average.

Customer Experience

SCORE:

7.5
10

Summary

In our opinion, Grown Brilliance provides strong customer service and education, but seems to fall short when it comes to servicing international clients and providing strong post-purchase care.

Our 3rd party mystery shopper’s in-store appointment was reportedly positive at the time. They shared about the knowledgeable and professional staff who were able to offer extensive insights into lab grown diamonds and their custom process. They also found the store to be inviting, clean, and modern, but they realised that the lighting was dulling the rings and were directed to step outside to view them in natural light, which we don’t consider to be very professional. Online communication was generally efficient in our experience, with prompt and somewhat helpful responses, though we found some reviews that cited a few post-purchase interactions that lacked consistency.

We found that the website offers decent educational resources and transparent pricing, but noted that it suffers from occasional navigational glitches and minor inaccuracies in product imagery. Customisation options for diamonds are extensive in our opinion, but we found specific design elements like band thickness to be inflexible. We did, however, consider the CAD design to be helpful when we were undertaking the custom ordering process, and we were impressed by this.

Post-purchase care reveals Grown Brilliance’s main weaknesses in our opinion. While US-based clients benefit from free resizing and efficient repairs, you might face significant limitations if you’re an international client, with no available resizing services and a reported lack of clarity around repairs. For a company that ships to multiple significant international locations, we consider that this is an area to work on. Reviews also highlighted mixed experiences with servicing and returns, emphasising the need for improvement in these areas in our opinion.

While Grown Brilliance’s strengths in affordability, customer service, and education might make them a reasonable option for you if you’re based in the US, their international policies and inconsistent post-purchase care outcomes raise our concerns. If you’re located in the US and you’re after a good deal, Grown Brilliance could potentially work for you. But if you’re shopping internationally or value reliable aftersales care, you might want to reconsider making a purchase from them.

SCORE:

7.5
10

Appointment

Our 3rd party mystery shopper’s in-store experience with Grown Brilliance seemed to be a positive one. The sales consultant reportedly demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge about their jewellery, both in-store and online. The mystery shopper shared that professionalism was evident in the consultant’s attire and mannerisms, and that their friendly demeanour made the shopper feel welcome. The shopper reported a lack of pressure to make a purchase and found the consultant's responsiveness to their questions helpful. The greeting process was reportedly smooth, and the overall environment was inviting and professional.

Online Communication

We consider the online communication at Grown Brilliance to be average. Responses to our enquiries were received within a day in most instances, but we noted that some of the responses were vague and didn’t provide more clarity when we followed up with an even clearer question. The booking process for appointments was straightforward and intuitive, with confirmation emails ensuring clarity. However, some clients have reported mixed experiences with communication post-purchase, particularly concerning the organisation of returns and refunds, indicating room for improvement in this area.

Customer Service Reviews

We read through a substantial number of reviews that mentioned customer service at Grown Brilliance and found them to be quite mixed. There were many reports that highlighted positive experiences (accompanying ratings of four stars or over), but there were also some that mentioned poor experiences with communication, particularly concerning the organisation of returns and refunds, indicating room for improvement in this area, in our opinion.

Customer Service

Our 3rd party mystery shopper’s in-store appointment experience with Grown Brilliance was reportedly rather positive. The shopper shared that the sales consultant exhibited extensive knowledge about their jewellery, both in-store and online. According to the report, they were professional, friendly, and responsive to the shopper’s questions, providing personalised recommendations without any purchase pressure. The greeting process was smooth, and the consultant's attire and demeanour were professional.

Store Appearance

When the mystery shopper visited the Grown Brilliance store, they found it to be impeccably clean, free from rubbish, dust, and personal items of employees. The mystery shopper shared that the Grown Brilliance store was inviting, with a comfortable temperature and a pleasant, though subtle fragrance.

The store’s modern and refined design reportedly created a welcoming environment. The absence of aggressive advertising contributed to a pleasant shopping experience in our opinion. According to the mystery shopper, the layout was intuitive and organised, making it easy to navigate and find what they were looking for. However, the black ceiling made the engagement rings appear darker, meaning that the sales consultant needed to take the shopper outside to view the stones. This is something we consider Grown Brilliance could improve upon.

Display Items

The mystery shopper reported that the Grown Brilliance store featured a range of approximately 50-100 display items, including various gemstone shapes, metal colours, and ring sizes. The products were reportedly displayed neatly, and the quality was evident, with no scratches or fingerprints on the jewellery. The products the shopper was shown were all real gold/platinum and diamonds, instilling our confidence in the quality of the jewellery that was available.

Comfort

When the mystery shopper visited Grown Brilliance, they were offered a seat. The temperature was reportedly cool and comfortable, especially because it was a warm day. They found that it was easy to access the store as it was well signed and accurate to Google Maps.

The appointment lasted for just over half an hour, which was a little short in our opinion but was mostly long enough to narrow down the mystery shopper’s desires for the ring. It was held in a somewhat private area. Although they could hear other people in the store, there was reportedly enough space between appointment desks to maintain a comfortable level of privacy.

Educational Value

When the 3rd party mystery shopper visited the Grown Brilliance store, the sales consultant provided extensive educational information about lab-grown diamonds, the 4Cs, and the crafting process for bespoke engagement rings. They also explained the prices of the products and the cost of customisations. There were various educational materials on display, but the consultant didn’t measure the shopper’s ring size.

Alterations

We found it easy to add an engraving to the custom ring a few days after we had made the purchase. Additionally, the process of changing the ring size a few days after we had made the purchase was straightforward.

Ring Preview

Grown Brilliance displayed a CAD through what we considered to be a helpful online portal that had 3 custom product pages. We appreciated this, as it helped us to form a stronger understanding of how the completed ring would look. Despite this, we weren’t sent a video of the ring before it was shipped to us.

Key Dates

Grown Brilliance offered a completion date, which was also the day that the ring was estimated to be shipped. They didn’t offer an estimated delivery date.

Website Navigation & Design

The Grown Brilliance website has a minimalistic and consistent colour scheme in our opinion, which we found visually appealing. However, we found the diamond preview videos to have issues with lag, and we considered that the website's responsiveness could be improved. The menu was functional in our opinion, but the process of customisation can be a bit glitchy, especially when choosing a diamond and setting. On mobile, we noted that the website resizes well but still suffers from navigation lag.

Imagery

In our opinion, the product renders on Grown Brilliance's website are mostly consistent, though there are some inconsistencies in the depiction of metal colours across renders. We consider that lifestyle images and videos provide an accurate representation of what the rings look like in natural light, which likely helps buyers to more easily visualise the product.

Education

Grown Brilliance's website features a variety of educational blogs covering topics like comparing the characteristics of mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds, the 4Cs, finding the right ring size, customisation processes, and the characteristics of different metals and stones. While the content is informative in our opinion, the website copy contains several spelling and grammatical errors. Despite this, we considered the educational resources to be mostly appropriate, albeit colloquial at times.

Booking Process

The booking process for appointments is easy to locate on the website, in our opinion. However, in some instances, buyers need to directly contact the store to set up an appointment. While we found the process to be generally straightforward, there have been occasions when booking confirmation emails haven’t been sent, which could be improved in our opinion.

Payment

We found that Grown Brilliance provides clear pricing on their website. The payment process on the Grown Brilliance website is additionally straightforward in our opinion, allowing buyers to easily complete their purchases online. Grown Brilliance accepts all major US credit cards, PayPal, Venmo (on mobile), ApplePay, GooglePay, and bank wire transfers. Financing options are available through Affirm.

At the time of our research, the website had a pop up when navigating away from the site, encouraging visitors to give Grown Brilliance their email and receive a small discount of AU$180 off their first purchase of AU$1,815 or more. Although this may be appealing to some customers, it raises our concerns about whether Grown Brilliance is looking to encourage buyers to make an impulse purchase, or can reveal initially high markups that make discounts seem more significant than they are.

Responding to Enquiries

According to our tests, Grown Brilliance has a good rate of response to customer enquiries. Responses to our enquiries were received within a day, and the answers provided were effective at times, but we found this to be relatively inconsistent, even when we asked clear questions.

Booking Confirmation

The booking process is intuitive in our opinion, and customers receive a booking confirmation email. We found it easy to view the next available appointment, and noted that the system handles time zone differences well, ensuring clarity and convenience for international customers.

Online Communication Reviews

We read through reviews of Grown Brilliance that mentioned communication and found room for the jeweller to improve in this area. We saw many mixed reports, with some customers praising the effectiveness and promptness of responses, while others experienced poor communication post-purchase, particularly regarding the organisation of returns and refunds.

In our opinion, this inconsistency suggests that there is room for improvement in maintaining reliable communication throughout the client journey, as we consider that any concerns that need addressing when purchasing an engagement ring are often urgent.

Warranty

Grown Brilliance offers a lifetime manufacturing warranty, which seemingly displays a strong commitment to the quality of their products. A manufacturer’s warranty typically covers defects in materials and workmanship, providing repair or replacement for flaws arising from the manufacturing process, but generally excludes damage from accidents, misuse, normal wear and tear, or unauthorised repairs.

However, the warranty does little in our opinion to describe which manufacturing defects would be covered. Although we enquired, limited information was available. We would recommend reaching out to Grown Brilliance about this before you consider making a purchase from them.

Returns

Grown Brilliance offers free ‘change of mind’ returns, and the policies vary depending on where the customer resides. International customers can return their rings within 30 days of shipment for a full refund, provided the products are unworn and include all original documentation and certifications. US customers have similar conditions, but can only return custom special orders for store credit.

In our opinion, the return policy is mostly straightforward and is well outlined on their website, making it easy for customers to understand the conditions under which they can return their purchase.

Resizing

Grown Brilliance offers one free resize for US customers within 30 days after purchase, with complimentary one-way shipping. They also provide one free resize per year for the lifetime of US orders. Unfortunately, resizing services aren’t available for international orders, which we consider to be a notable limitation for global buyers.

Cleaning & Servicing

The servicing policies at Grown Brilliance could benefit from more clarity in our opinion. While they do offer repair services at their US facility, customers must cover the shipping costs to send the ring in, though Grown Brilliance will pay for the return shipping. When we enquired, a sales representative confirmed that they don’t offer repairs or servicing for international customers, which we find to be disappointing.

Their lack of a detailed cleaning and servicing policy on the website and the absence of post-purchase care services for international customers indicate areas that could be improved upon in our opinion.

Post-Purchase Care Reviews

We read through the reviews that described Grown Brilliance’s post-purchase care to further understand how well they carry through on their policies. We found customer reviews on post-purchase care to be quite mixed.

Some customers reported efficient repairs and great communication, while others mentioned poor-quality repairs, receiving the wrong ring after sending it back for servicing, and difficulties in communication regarding post-purchase care matters.

In our opinion, this inconsistency highlights the need for Grown Brilliance to develop a more reliable and transparent post-purchase care process.

Appointment Education

When our 3rd party mystery shopper visited Grown Brilliance for an in-person appointment, the sales consultant offered personalised recommendations and thoroughly explained the prices and costs associated with customisations. The consultant also shared extensive educational material regarding lab-grown diamonds, the 4Cs, and the differences between mined and lab-grown diamonds. Signs and materials on display in the store reportedly complemented the verbal information, likely enhancing the mystery shopper’s understanding of the products. Additionally, the consultant explained the crafting process for bespoke engagement rings, which gave helpful insight into what to expect, should the shopper have chosen to go ahead and purchase a custom ring. The only downfall, in our opinion, was that they didn’t measure the shopper’s ring size, missing an important opportunity to gain an accurate understanding of which ring size would fit best, minimising the need for resizing in the future. Despite this, the overall education provided during the appointment seemed excellent.

Online Education

In our opinion, Grown Brilliance's website features a moderate number of educational blogs covering various topics such as lab-grown vs. mined diamonds, the 4Cs, finding the right ring size, customisation processes, and the characteristics of different metals and stones. While we consider the educational content to be valuable, the website copy contains several spelling and grammatical errors. Despite this, we find that the resources are informative and helpful for buyers looking to learn more about their jewellery options.

Crafting Process

According to our 3rd party mystery shopper, the sales consultant provided a detailed explanation of the crafting process for bespoke engagement rings, highlighting the precision and care that goes into creating each piece.

In our opinion, this transparency can help buyers appreciate the craftsmanship involved and builds confidence in the quality of the products.

Sustainability

SCORE:

6.7
10

Summary

Grown Brilliance takes some admirable steps when it comes to ethics and sustainability, but there’s room for improvement in clarity and transparency in our opinion. They claim to have a mostly carbon-neutral supply chain, offsetting emissions from diamond production and jewellery manufacturing through carbon credits and donations to Carbon180. However, the extent of their carbon neutrality remains vague, making it difficult to gain a full understanding of the impact of this initiative. Even after multiple enquiries, we found that limited information was provided.

We find their focus on sustainable materials to be a strong point. Grown Brilliance exclusively offers lab-grown diamonds, what we consider to be a more ethical and environmentally friendly choice than mined. While their packaging isn’t made from recycled materials, it’s 100% recyclable, which is a step in the right direction in our opinion.

When it comes to giving back to the community, Grown Brilliance offers their support through partnerships with organisations like Charity:Water, Rainforest Trust, and Grid Alternatives. These efforts aim to provide clean water, protect tropical rainforests, and fund solar panels for underserved communities. We consider that their own Brilliant Impact initiative adds further depth to their social responsibility.

Overall, Grown Brilliance’s commitment to sustainability and charitable causes is encouraging to us, but clearer communication about the extent of their carbon neutrality and charitable contributions might inspire greater confidence in their practices. For now, we recommend considering Grown Brilliance with caution.

SCORE:

6.7
10

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Grown Brilliance has made claims about their supply chain being carbon neutral. They state that they offset a portion of the greenhouse gas emissions generated from growing, cutting, and polishing the diamonds, as well as manufacturing the jewellery, by purchasing carbon credits and donating to Carbon180. However, the extent of their carbon neutrality isn't clearly specified, leaving ambiguity about their overall environmental impact in our opinion.

Product Materials

We appreciate Grown Brilliance's commitment to sustainability and transparency. They provide a 2023 Sustainability Report formatted across a page on their website, highlighting their sustainability initiatives.

The report details that they exclusively sell lab grown diamonds, which we find excellent to see. Although they don’t invest in making packaging using recycled materials, their packaging is 100% recyclable, which isn’t the best, but is better than simply utilising single-use materials in our opinion.

While they also state that most of their supply chain is carbon neutral, they don’t specify the extent of this.

Contribution to Charities

Grown Brilliance is active in charitable endeavours, supporting organisations like Carbon180, SRMD Love and Care USA, and launching their own Brilliant Impact initiative.

Through partnerships with Charity:Water, Rainforest Trust, and Grid Alternatives, they aim to provide 44 million litres of clean water to communities in need, protect 20,000 acres of tropical rainforest, and fund 80 solar panels for underserved communities.

We consider Grown Brilliance’s commitment to charitable initiatives to be commendable, however, the extent of their support for Carbon180 isn’t clearly defined, which leaves room for more transparency.

The Nitty Gritty

SCORE:

5.6
10

Summary

Grown Brilliance offers some promising benefits in production time and shipping, but, in our opinion, falls short in critical areas-particularly if you’re located outside the US. Their production time is notably efficient to us, with most made-to-order rings ready within two weeks. To us, this stands out among the jewellers we’ve researched. You can also expect CAD designs within four days of design ideation, and most items ship within 10-12 days via FedEx 2Day, with free domestic shipping. International shipping is also free and includes delivery duties and taxes, which we consider to be helpful.

On the flip side, shipping-related reviews reveal inconsistencies in our opinion, with some customers citing delayed deliveries or incorrect delivery date estimations. While we consider Grown Brilliance’s production time to be efficient, these inconsistencies suggest that they could work to improve on reliably fulfilling their estimated timeframes.

Customisation options are reasonably extensive in our opinion, with a variety of diamonds and metal types available online, but we found that there are limitations. For example, you need to contact the jeweller to access diamond certificates, which we consider to be inconvenient, and band thickness can’t be customised. The online customisation process could also benefit from more intuitive navigational design in our opinion.

If you’re based in the US or an international location, general returns seem mostly straightforward, provided items are unworn and are returned with the original documentation. However, resizing and repair services aren’t available to international customers (except in Canada), leaving those located outside the US and Canada with limited post-purchase care in our view. Additionally, shipments aren’t insured, which raises our concerns for those whose ring might need to travel a long distance.

While Grown Brilliance demonstrates strengths in production efficiency, their weak international servicing policies and inconsistent timeline estimations make them a less appealing option for global customers in our opinion. Caution is advised if you’re looking to make a purchase from Grown Brilliance.

SCORE:

5.6
10

Website Policy

Grown Brilliance states on their website that made-to-order rings typically take around two weeks to create, and a sales representative confirmed this timeframe. However, we found that more complex designs or those featuring specialty stones or fancy-coloured diamonds might take longer. Once the design is submitted, it can take up to four days to receive a link to a Computer Aided Design (CAD) that visually depicts the final specifics of the ring. Most items ship within 10 to 12 days after the order is placed, with an estimated ship date provided at purchase. Items are shipped via FedEx 2Day at no additional charge. This production time is much faster than the rest of the jewellers we’ve reviewed, and is something Grown Brilliance can be commended for in our opinion.

Availability of Expedition

You can opt for FedEx Priority Overnight at the checkout for an additional fee. It's important to note that this option only expedites the shipping time, not the production lead time. Given Grown Brilliance’s already efficient production time, the absence of an adequate expediting service isn’t something we’re concerned about.

Production Reviews

We found customer reviews about production times to be mixed. While some customers reported accurate manufacturing times, others experienced delays and shifting time frames throughout the production process. In our opinion, this is something to consider before choosing Grown Brilliance. We’ve included some reviews below for you to read through.

Level of Customisation Online

In our opinion, Grown Brilliance offers a good range of diamonds, making it relatively easy to find one that matches personal preferences. Although we consider this to be excellent, in our opinion, the process of choosing a diamond is made difficult by the layout, in that there are a few steps in the process of viewing and comparing diamonds on their website. In addition to this, customers must reach out to Grown Brilliance to view diamond certificates, which we consider to not only add a layer of complexity and inconvenience to the process, but also reduce overall trust in the jeweller.

While Grown Brilliance does allow the addition of a hidden halo, other customisation options for settings, such as adjusting the height or claw type, aren’t available online. Customers can mix all stone shapes with all settings directly through the website. They provide options for various metals, including platinum, 18K and 14K white, yellow, and rose gold, which is excellent. Engraving is possible for up to 20 characters, but seeing an example of the finished engraving isn't an option, and band thickness can't be customised online. We consider that the level of customisation available on the Grown Brilliance website is somewhat limited in this sense.

Process of Customisation Online

Customising engagement rings on Grown Brilliance's website is generally manageable but could be more intuitive in our opinion, especially when selecting diamonds. We found that the website clearly communicates what can be customised. Grown Brilliance offers a "Truly Custom” 14 Day process, initiated through the website. Customers can upload sketches, images, or descriptions of their desired ring, select diamond shape, carat weight, metal colour, and ring size, and then receive a 360-degree video of the design and a quote within 2-4 days. The Truly Custom process provides you with a direct way to contact representatives about customising a design, but, in our opinion, is still inefficient when compared with other websites that allow you to customise their ring by yourself online.

Customisation in Appointment

During our appointment, the sales consultant informed the mystery shopper about the customisation options. They mentioned that if the shopper didn't find anything they liked in-store or online, they could have a ring custom-made. However, specific details about the extent of customisation available weren’t provided.

Policy

Grown Brilliance offers a lifetime manufacturing warranty, which covers repairs for any manufacturing faults, with shipping costs also covered. However, the warranty doesn’t include general wear and tear, scratching, trauma, loss of centre stones, improper cleaning and storage, or thinning of prongs due to regular wear. Any third-party repairs or services, including ring resizing, will void the warranty.

Clarity

In our opinion, the warranty policy is easily accessible on the website, but it does little to describe what the warranty does cover.

Shipping Policy

Grown Brilliance provides free FedEx 2 Day shipping for all US orders, with a signature required upon delivery. In-stock items ship within one to four business days, while made-to-order items take approximately two weeks to create and then be shipped. International shipping is available via FedEx International Economy, taking approximately 2-5 days depending on the destination. They ship to multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Pricing on their international websites includes delivery duties and taxes, with free shipping.

We consider it important for a jeweller to cater to the needs of their international customers by clearly communicating duty and tax responsibilities, as well as international shipping and servicing policies. If you would like to know more about how Grown Brilliance takes care of their international customers, please read the International Accessibility section.

Shipping Reviews

Customer reviews on Grown Brilliance’s shipping policy varied in our opinion. We understand that often, shipping is out of the control of a jeweller, however, we still see value in sharing what we’ve found.

Some customers praised the fast and hassle-free delivery, while others reported inconsistent and incorrect delivery dates, highlighting what we consider to be an area for improvement in their shipping processes. In our opinion, this inconsistency is something to consider prior to purchasing a ring from Grown Brilliance.

Policy

Grown Brilliance offers a mostly clear and straightforward return policy in our opinion. For international customers, returns are accepted within 30 days from shipment for a full refund, provided the products are unworn and accompanied by all original documentation, including the lab-grown diamond certificate. The website states that US customers have similar conditions, but can only return custom special orders for store credit.

Clarity

We found that the return policy is mostly well-outlined on their website, providing you with all the necessary information to understand the process and conditions for returns.

International Shipping

Our research found that Grown Brilliance offers international shipping to several countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. We noted that international customers need to select their country from the flag icon on the website to view the appropriate language and currency. Shipping is free, and all pricing includes delivery duties and taxes.

International Insurance

There is no information about international insurance on Grown Brilliance's website. When we enquired, a sales representative confirmed that shipments from Grown Brilliance are not insured. This doesn’t align with the standard of the other jewellers we have reviewed, and is concerning for us given the high value of the product that is being shipped.

Delivery Duties and Taxes

All pricing on Grown Brilliance's international websites is Delivery Duty Paid (DDP). For Canada, applicable sales tax for each province is added during checkout. For other international countries, the price displayed includes the relevant sales taxes, which we consider to be effective in ensuring transparency and avoiding unexpected costs for customers.

Service-Related Shipping Costs

When we reached out to Grown Brilliance, a sales representative confirmed that they don’t offer resizing or repair services for international customers, except for Canada. In our opinion, this limitation is significant for global customers who may need adjustments or repairs post-purchase, and indicates a need for better international support.

Local Servicing

Despite multiple enquiries, Grown Brilliance didn’t answer our questions about local servicing options. This lack of response is concerning to us, and suggests that international customers might face challenges in accessing services for their jewellery. A sales consultant also noted that warranty services are not offered to international customers, except for those in Canada. Combined with the fact that Grown Brilliance doesn’t provide post-purchase care services for international customers apart from Canada, we consider this policy to be inconvenient for all other global customers.

Shipping Timeframes

International shipping is free and conducted via FedEx International Economy, taking approximately 2-5 days depending on the destination. In our opinion, this efficient shipping time frame is beneficial for international customers looking for timely delivery.

Reviews

SCORE:

5.7
10

Summary

Grown Brilliance’s reviews paint a picture portraying mixed customer experiences, with highlights in some areas, but notable inconsistencies in others that warrant caution in our opinion. On Google, the brand held a 4.2 star average rating, with customers praising beautiful rings and excellent in-store service. However, we found that concerns about poor communication, shipping delays, and delayed refunds tempered the online enthusiasm. Trustpilot reviews were slightly stronger at 4.4 stars (based on nearly 500 reviews), where customers commended effective pricing. Yet, similar issues around inconsistent product quality and post-purchase care emerged.

Customer service reviews were mostly positive (accompanying ratings of four stars and over), with staff described as friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. However, communication seemed to falter post-purchase, with some customers reporting difficulties resolving issues like returns or refunds. In our opinion, this inconsistency leaves room for improvement in supporting customers after their purchase.

We found that post-purchase care, including repairs and follow-ups, also saw mixed feedback. While some customers reported efficient service, others shared experiences of poor-quality repairs or receiving the incorrect item.

Production and shipping reviews reflected similar inconsistency in our opinion. Despite some reports of timely delivery and accurate production timelines, other clients described experiences with delays and inconsistent shipping dates. We consider that reliable communication in these areas is vital but appears to be lacking at times.

Grown Brilliance’s appeal lies in its beautiful rings and in-store service, but, in our opinion, gaps in post-purchase care, communication, and shipping reliability highlight areas for concern. Our recommendation is to proceed with caution, especially if you’re looking to purchase online.

SCORE:

5.7
10

Overall

Google Reviews

At the time of our research, Grown Brilliance had an average rating of 4.2 stars on Google, based on 81 reviews. Positive feedback (accompanying ratings of four stars or over) often highlighted the excellent in-store customer service and the beauty of the rings.

We did, however, find some reviews outlining concerns regarding poor communication, inconsistent shipping dates, delayed refunds, and clients having the wrong product sent to them. In our opinion, this mix of reviews highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Grown Brilliance’s services and products, and we’ve included some of the reviews we found here.

Other Customer Reviews

When we conducted our research, Grown Brilliance had an average rating of 4.4 stars on Trustpilot, based on nearly 500 reviews. Customers praised the prompt and informative customer service, beautiful rings, effective pricing, and efficient delivery.

However, some negative reviews (accompanying ratings of 2 stars or under) pointed out inconsistent product quality, shipping delays, and difficulties with post-purchase care, including diamond certifications not being sent with packages. In our opinion, this feedback demonstrates an opportunity for James Allen to improve their consistency across the overall customer experience.

Customer Service Reviews

We read through quite a few reviews that mentioned customer service at Grown Brilliance and found them to be overwhelmingly positive (accompanying ratings of four stars and over).

Most customer service reviews commended the friendliness, knowledge, and patience of the sales staff who work at Grown Brilliance.

Online Communication Reviews

We read through reviews of Grown Brilliance that mentioned communication and found room for the jeweller to improve in this area. While some customers mentioned that they experienced prompt and effective responses, others reported that they faced challenges with post-purchase communication, particularly regarding returns and refunds.

We consider that the quality of communication offered by a jeweller is of primary importance, as any concerns that need addressing when purchasing an engagement ring are often urgent. This is an area for Grown Brilliance to improve in our opinion.

Post-Purchase Care Reviews

We read through the reviews of Grown Brilliance’s post-purchase care to form an idea of how well Grown Brilliance carries through on their policies. We found that reviews on this were varied, which is concerning.

While some customers reported efficient repairs and good communication, others experienced poor-quality repairs, receiving the wrong ring back after sending it for repairs, and difficulties in communicating with representatives regarding post-purchase matters.

In our opinion, this inconsistency indicates an area where Grown Brilliance could work to improve the customer experience.

Production Reviews

When we read through production-related reviews for Grown Brilliance, we found that they again indicated mixed experiences on the part of the customer. Some customers found the manufacturing timeline to be accurate, while others faced delays and shifting time frames throughout the process. We’ve included these reviews for you to have a read through.

Shipping Reviews

Customer reviews for Grown Brilliance regarding shipping were also rather mixed at the time of our research. While we understand that shipping is mostly out of the control of the jeweller, we still see the value in sharing what we’ve found, as it will form part of your experience if you are choosing to make a purchase online.

Some customers praised the fast and hassle-free delivery, while others reported incorrect and inconsistent delivery dates, as well as poor communication and a lack of remorse when customers indicated that they’d been inconvenienced.

In our opinion, clear communication and reliable shipping processes are crucial for a positive customer experience, and you can read below for more information.

Employee Reviews

When we were researching, employee reviews for Grown Brilliance on Glassdoor were less favourable, with an average rating of 3.2 stars, based on five reviews. Employees mentioned low pay rates and passive-aggressive management with limited jewellery knowledge. On the positive side, employees appreciated the fast growth of the company.

We consider that employee satisfaction is crucial for maintaining high-quality service, and we’ve included some of the reviews below for you to read.

Conclusion

OVERALL SCORE:

6.2
10

Not Recommended

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.

OVERALL SCORE:

6.2
10

Not Recommended

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