In this Twirl Weddings guide, we embark on a journey to compare two remarkable online diamond companies: James Allen, which has established itself as a leader in the industry and Rare Carat, a promising newcomer in the diamond marketplace.
James Allen has earned itself a well-deserved reputation as a leading choice for purchasing diamonds online. Their name resonates positively throughout the vast expanse of the internet.
Rare Carat, on the other hand, offers buyers a unique and tailored experience by curating options from various retailers. It’s like having a personalized concierge to cater to your specific diamond preferences.
These two companies have their strengths and weaknesses, making the decision of which one is the better place to buy diamonds quite intriguing.
Shall we place our trust in James Allen, the most preferred option with a track record of delivering exceptional diamonds online? Or shall we venture into the world of Rare Carat, the innovative “Kayak of Diamonds,” simplifying the process by allowing effortless comparisons among different retailers?
Join us on this quest as we uncover the ultimate answer.
Exploring the Differences in Shopping Experiences
The shopping experiences offered by Rare Carat and James Allen are distinct because they operate as different types of companies. However, despite their varying business models, they share a similarity in how they filter options for buyers.
Rare Carat
Rare Carat operates as a platform where you can explore a wide range of loose diamonds and customize your search based on your desired diamond grades. They offer convenient filters that allow you to select a high-quality diamond based on its color, cut, carat, clarity, and even the presence of a GIA report.
However, if you’re seeking a unique diamond that dazzles with exceptional light performance, Rare Carat may not be the ideal choice. They specialize in loose diamonds and lab-grown diamonds, so you won’t find fancy colored diamonds or fine jewelry among their offerings. Additionally, you have the option to search for individual diamonds or diamond pairs.
It’s important to note that Rare Carat sources their diamonds from lesser-known companies, which may raise some concerns for potential buyers. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that Rare Carat only collaborates with retailers who provide a 30-day refund policy, ensuring customer satisfaction. You can find specific details about each retailer on the Rare Carat website.
Here’s how the process works…
Once you find a diamond that catches your eye, you will be redirected to the retailer’s website to complete the purchase. In essence, Rare Carat acts as a facilitator, connecting you with a selection of diamonds available from various online sources.
James Allen
At James Allen, the shopping experience is quite similar to Rare Carat. You have the ability to narrow down your search by selecting different diamond grades and characteristics, just like you can on Rare Carat.
However, James Allen goes above and beyond by offering an extensive collection of high-quality jewelry. They have a wide range of options to choose from, including their exclusive Hearts & Arrows diamonds known for their exceptional light performance.
But here’s the exciting part:
Not only can you find diamonds in various colors at James Allen, but they also offer a diverse selection of fine jewelry such as necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets adorned with both gemstones and diamonds. They even have lab-created diamonds available for those who prefer environmentally friendly options.
In addition to their impressive inventory, James Allen ensures customer satisfaction by providing a hassle-free 30-day refund policy. Returning an item is a breeze with their prepaid label and straightforward process.
To sum it up:
James Allen serves as a comprehensive destination for all your diamond and fine jewelry needs. You won’t need to search elsewhere because everything you’re looking for is conveniently available on their website.
When it comes to simplifying the shopping experience, James Allen stands out in comparison to Rare Carat. Take a moment to click the link below and visit their official website to see their impressive offerings for yourself.
Customer Service
When deciding where to buy diamonds, having a pleasant shopping experience is crucial. However, it’s equally, if not more, important to consider the quality of customer service.
Rare Carat
Rare Carat provides customers with two ways to get in touch with them: through online chat or email. Their team consists of knowledgeable gemologists who have received training from GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
The online chat feature is available to assist customers in comparing different diamonds and addressing any concerns related to website functionality. However, it’s important to note that if you encounter any issues or dissatisfaction with a diamond purchased from Rare Carat, you will need to contact the specific brand or retailer responsible for that diamond.
One common concern raised by customers regarding Rare Carat’s customer service is the timeliness of their responses. In a review on Trustpilot, a user mentions this issue.
Interestingly, in response to another complaint about the professionalism of the team, the owner of the company personally addressed the concern, mentioning that he occasionally handles the live chat himself during weekends. It’s worth noting that this feedback is from a couple of years ago, and I couldn’t find any recent reviews specifically regarding their customer service.
Rare Carat offers customer support through online chat and email, with a team of trained gemologists ready to assist. While there have been past mentions of response time and professionalism, it’s challenging to find up-to-date reviews regarding their current service quality.
James Allen
James Allen reviews can be found on various platforms such as Trustpilot, Reddit, Consumer Affairs, Yelp, and more. It’s worth noting that the company actively engages on these sites, responding to customer queries and addressing any complaints.
The majority of James Allen customers express satisfaction with the service they have received. And here’s why:
James Allen offers round-the-clock customer support through three channels: phone, email, and online chat. During my research, I have personally utilized their online chat feature multiple times, and I’ve found their responses to be prompt and helpful.
The associates and gemologists at James Allen possess extensive knowledge not only about diamonds but also about their own company. They have been able to answer all the questions I’ve thrown at them, which is quite impressive considering I make an effort to test their expertise on diamonds.
What sets James Allen’s customer service apart is the individual attention you receive. They prioritize your needs, ensuring that you receive immediate assistance. It’s all about providing the utmost convenience for you, rather than making you feel like a low priority.
Generally, James Allen has received positive feedback from a wide range of customers, and their 24/7 customer service is commendable. Their knowledgeable team provides personalized attention, making your experience as convenient as possible.
Warranty
Having a warranty is crucial when purchasing diamond engagement rings. As time goes by, the ring will naturally experience some wear and tear.
An unlimited warranty provides you with the assurance that you can maintain the pristine appearance of your engagement ring and its setting without having to spend a fortune.
Rare Carat
Since Rare Carat operates as a diamond wholesaler marketplace, they don’t provide their own warranty or guarantees. When you buy a diamond from an online jeweler through Rare Carat, you’ll be redirected to the specific company’s website, and any warranties or guarantees will be specific to that brand.
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It’s important to note that Rare Carat doesn’t own the diamonds listed on their platform. They act as a middleman, connecting you with various retailers and their inventory.
During my search on Rare Carat, I found an ideal cut round diamond that matched my desired specifications. This particular diamond, with a clarity of VS1, a color grade of F, and a carat weight of 1.00, is available from a retailer named Adiamor. The price for this loose diamond is $6004, and it doesn’t have any fluorescence.
James Allen
At James Allen, they provide a valuable perk: a free lifetime warranty that covers ALL purchases. This warranty is designed to address manufacturing defects and routine maintenance, including services like prong tightening, rhodium plating, stone tightening, polishing, prong retipping, and even steam-cleaning.
It’s important to note that while the warranty is comprehensive, it does not cover the replacement of diamonds.
Now, let’s talk about the specifics.
If you need to utilize the warranty, there is a shipping fee involved. For customers in the US or Canada, the fee is $30, while for other countries, it’s $50. Additionally, within the first year of purchase, you can take advantage of one free resizing.
If resizing is necessary after the first year, there will be a charge. For rose, white, and yellow gold rings, the fee is $25, whereas for platinum rings, it amounts to $50.
Here’s an added bonus…
When you make a purchase at James Allen, they offer free ring engravings of up to a maximum of 20 characters. What’s even more convenient is that they allow returns on engraved rings, which is not always the case with other retailers.
James Allen’s free lifetime warranty provides coverage for various aspects of your purchase. They also offer additional services such as free ring engravings and the option to return engraved rings.
Price and Value
Let’s compare the diamond with the same specifications from Adiamor to another diamond available on JamesAllen.com. Both diamonds have a GIA grading report, which shows their quality.
When we look at the prices of these diamonds from the two companies, they are quite similar. James Allen’s diamond may be slightly more expensive, with a small difference of less than 0.5%. Usually, James Allen offers better prices compared to other diamond companies, but this time the prices are close.
However, it’s important to consider that the best price doesn’t always mean it’s the perfect diamond or the perfect company.
Value is what matters. On Rarecarat.com, you’ll find a collection of quality diamonds, but only a few different companies are listed. Among these diamond retailers, Whiteflash has a strong reputation.
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Other companies are also good, but they may not have the same level of recognition as James Allen or Blue Nile, for example.
When you shop at James Allen, you have access to a wide selection of diamonds and an excellent lifetime warranty. These factors contribute to the overall price, which is usually very competitive.
Remember, it’s not just about the price, but also about the overall value and the advantages offered by each company.
On Reddit
Reddit is a fantastic resource when you’re seeking reliable reviews from customers who have purchased diamonds from different companies. While every company claims to offer the best diamonds at the best prices, Reddit provides insights into actual customer experiences, both positive and negative.
Interestingly, Rare Carat doesn’t seem to be very popular among Redditors. Several users shared their thoughts, reinforcing my observation that Rare Carat doesn’t source diamonds from well-known retailers.
James Allen, on the other hand, is widely recognized and trusted by Redditors. While James Allen is not a scam, you can find both negative and positive reviews about the company on Reddit. What’s noteworthy is that James Allen actively participates in discussions on Reddit (u/jamesallenrings), offering assistance with diamond-related inquiries, expressing gratitude to customers, and providing valuable information to the Ring Reddit community. They genuinely engage in conversations rather than solely promoting their business.
If you’re interested, take a look at this post where James Allen actively contributes to the Reddit discussions.
Botton Line – James Allen
When it comes to buying diamonds online, we highly recommend choosing James Allen over the diamond retailers on Rare Carat, even if some of them offer lower-priced diamonds.
Why James Allen?
First and foremost, James Allen has established a strong reputation and is widely favored by customers. You can find ample information about the company and read reviews from real people on trusted platforms like Consumer Affairs, Yelp, and Reddit.
Here’s why it matters:
While Rare Carat serves as a useful tool for diamond searching, it has a limited selection from a small pool of retailers. The idea of a diamond marketplace is great, but it lacks the inclusion of many well-established and reputable retailers.
With James Allen, you get complete transparency. They provide all the necessary details upfront. On Rare Carat, not only do you have to search through their inventory, but you also need to investigate each individual retailer and assess their reputation.
Moreover, even if you come across a diamond with a better price on Rare Carat, there may be additional factors that could impact its overall value.
Using Rare Carat to purchase a loose diamond can make the buying process more complicated. You’ll only be purchasing the diamond itself, and you’ll still need to decide whether to find a different company, stick with the same one, or turn to a local jeweler for setting it.
On the other hand, James Allen offers a simpler and more straightforward experience. They provide a wide range of services, from diamond selection to customization and setting. Why make online diamond shopping more complicated and confusing when you have a trusted and reliable option available?
Join the thousands of satisfied customers who have fulfilled their dream of purchasing beautiful jewelry with James Allen. Visit their official website below to explore their offerings.