James Allen is a website that sells fine jewelry, with an emphasis on diamond jewelry. It’s natural for some shoppers to be leery of purchasing expensive items online.
They may question the quality or authenticity of things like diamonds. That’s ok, though, because it’s important to know what you’re spending your money on.
James Allen sells real diamonds that meet high quality standards. The company has GIA certified gemologists on staff to ensure you get the best diamonds in the market. Most James Allen diamonds are certified by the GIA, AGS, or IGI.
In this article, you’ll find out why James Allen is one of the leaders in the industry. Keep reading to find out how this online company got to the top.
Table of Contents
The Story of James Allen
The James Allen website was born out of the creative genius of four people who felt the need to give customers a trusted online platform for buying high quality diamonds.
They wanted to provide the largest selection for competitive prices.
Today, you can shop for incredible diamonds on the James Allen website and see them in 360-degree HD.
The stones are all selected by hand and inspected by the on-staff gemologists. There are more than 500,000 stones to choose from.
Diamond manufacturers like the James Allen business model so much, they have started to give this company first crack at their stones.
James Allen staff members get to see and choose the diamonds they want before the competition.
Are James Allen Diamonds Certified?
Many of James Allen’s diamonds are certified by highly skilled gemologists. The certifications add to the value of your stone. They serve as evidence of the quality.
Certifications are provided by GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, AGS, the American Gem Society, and IGI, the International Gemological Institute.
Each of the entities just mentioned ranks diamonds on the same characteristics–color, clarity, cut, and carat.
No one factor determines the value of the stone. It’s the combination and relationship of the four factors that determine the quality and value of a diamond.
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What Are the 4 Cs of Diamond Certification?
The 4 Cs are the characteristics we mentioned above.
Color
Color is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the color of the stone. Generally, the less color the more value. Those looking for a sparkling diamond that looks like a high quality diamond want it to be as colorless as possible.
Color is graded on a letter scale. Diamonds are ranked from D to Z. They’re also put into one of five levels.
The levels are:
- Colorless
- Near colorless
- Faint
- Very light
- Light
Color grades don’t vary a lot from one level to the next. For example, D and E both appear to be colorless.
If you put a D-level diamond next to an F-level diamond, though, the F-level will likely appear to have a tinge of color.
The color is usually yellow because of nitrogen that’s present as the diamond is forming.
Clarity
Clarity is determined by the number of flaws, or inclusions, the diamond has. Some inclusions are easily seen with the naked eye while others need to be magnified.
Inclusions can be foreign substances that infiltrated the crystals as they were growing, cracks in the stone, or even tiny holes.
Clarity is graded on a range from flawless to slightly included. That is FL to SI. You can ensure you’re getting a good quality diamond by having the gemologist look at it to make sure there are no inclusions which can be seen without magnification.
Even one with a grade of SI could be a beautiful stone because the inclusions aren’t necessarily visible to the naked eye. It’s something that an expert can help you with.
Cut
Cut affects the sparkle more than anything else. A good cut allows the most light in to make your diamond shine.
When gemologists look at the cut, they are looking for how symmetrical it is, what the proportions are from top to bottom, and how many facets there are. All of these play a role in how the light goes in and out of the diamond.
Carat
Carat is the weight of the stone and coincides with the size of it. Typically, the higher the carat weight is, the more the diamond will cost.
That being said, you could look at a diamond with a large carat weight that has a large inclusion you can see and is tinted yellow. It likely won’t cost as much as a small diamond that’s flawless, colorless, and has a beautiful cut.
The combination of all 4 Cs determines the value.
Does James Allen Sell Loose Stones?
James Allen specializes in diamond sales. You can purchase ready-made diamond jewelry, or there are other options.
You may choose from loose stones, also. You can design your own engagement rings and other kinds of jewelry.
You simply get on the website, and it walks you through the process for designing your own customized piece of jewelry.
If you run into problems or have any questions during your process, you can call the number listed on the top right of the website or use the chat option. Customer service is available 24/7.
- Save an Average of $350* on Lab-Created Diamonds
- James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales
Does James Allen Offer a Warranty?
James Allen guarantees all pieces of jewelry sold through their website for life. There is a lifetime warranty included with ever purchase.
If there is a need to repair, you can send your piece to the company, and they will inspect it. Should they determine there is work needed, they will reach out to you with the details.
If a charge is applicable, the company will not complete any work before getting your approval.
James Allen believes in the quality of their jewelry. That’s why you are granted a lifetime warranty on every piece you purchase.
Do I Have to Pay for Shipping?
Shipping is free for all items regardless of the cost. The company also ships to all parts of the world.
Each piece of jewelry is also covered under insurance for the duration of the shipping route.
What Is the James Allen Return Policy?
You have 30 days from the date of purchase to return any jewelry that’s in brand new condition. You are entitled to a full refund if you meet these criteria.
Any items returned from the U.S. or Canada are not subject to return shipping fees.
The return process is quite simple. You can call customer service at 1-877-826-9866. Make a report that you need to return an item.
The representative on the phone will email you a prepaid return label. You can repackage your items and secure the label to the outside. If you need assistance, you can take everything to FedEx and they will help you.
Once your package is received at the James Allen office, which should be within 2 business days, your refund will be processed. Allow for up to 2 weeks to get your money back.
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James Allen Lifetime Upgrades
James Allen offers a lifetime upgrade program on loose diamonds. It allows you to come back and receive 100% credit for the diamond you purchased in a trade to an upgraded stone.
There are a couple of conditions. The diamond has to be in original condition. It also has to be alike. Natural diamonds can be traded for other natural stones.
Lab-grown diamonds can be traded for other lab-grown stones.
James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices.
They also have the nicest collection of lab created diamonds online. Save 10% off select lab grown diamonds and 25% off ring settings during limited time sale!
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THEM:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
Conclusion
James Allen sells real diamonds that are high quality. Many of them are certified and come with their grade reports.
The company stands behind their jewelry enough that all customers get a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and easy returns.
James Allen makes diamond-buying an experience customers can enjoy and feel good about. These are real diamonds that are inspected by some of the finest gemologists in the world.
References
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