4 Best Places to Buy Engagement Rings (in 2023)

Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Juli "Jewels" Church

As a jewelry enthusiast, I understand the importance of finding the perfect engagement ring.

Shopping for engagement rings online can be overwhelming, with countless options and vendors to choose from. 

However, after years of researching and evaluating various online jewelers, I have narrowed down the best places to buy an engagement ring online.

Best Online Stores to Buy Diamonds

Whether you're on a tight budget or seeking a one-of-a-kind sparkler, I've got you covered with my tried-and-tested recommendations. So, let's dive in and find the perfect engagement ring for you!

Why you should trust us

At LearningJewelry.com, we understand that trust is a vital factor in the diamond buying process. That's why we want to assure you that our articles are written by experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in the diamond industry. 

Our primary author Juli Church is a certified diamontologist with over 7 years of experience in sorting and evaluating diamonds for quality and value. She worked at retail stores for Kay and Zales where she learned industry secrets and now uses her insider knowledge to help readers like you to save big on the perfect gem for their needs.

Juli has written hundreds of jewelry and diamond articles and spends much of her free time browsing and helping out in ring buying Facebook groups to keep up with the latest diamond and wedding trends. Her wealth of knowledge and experience has given her a unique perspective on what information truly helps our readers find and buy the perfect diamond engagement ring or piece of jewelry.

With our team of experts and our commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy information, you can trust LearningJewelry.com to guide you through the diamond buying process with confidence.

The Best Places To Buy Engagement Rings

If you need the list quick, these are my picks for best place to buy an engagement ring online. 

  1. Best Overall: James Allen
  2. Best Variety & Ethical Footing: Brilliant Earth
  3. Best Ring Selection: Blue Nile
  4. Best Fancy Colored Diamonds: Leibish & Co. 

Keep reading for more information about these engagement ring stores.

Product Details    
1. James Allen

Most Renowned

  • Variety Of Options
  • Price Options
  • 360° Viewing
  • 30-Day Money Back
  • Lifetime Warranty
Check Current Price
3. Blue Nile

Astor Ideal Selection

  • Customized Filtering
  • Modern & Classic
  • Bank Wire Discount
  • 360 HD View
Check Current Price
5. Whiteflash

Brand Designs

  • Build-Your-Own
  • Topnotch Standard
  • 30-Day Return
  • Care PLans Available
Check Current Price
6. Leibish & Co.

Exquisite Collection

  • 14 Fancy Colors
  • Free 60-Day Resizing
  • Loyalty Program
  • Lifetime Warranty
Check Current Price

Now let's take a closer look at my picks.

1. James Allen

James Allen Engagement Rings

If you're wondering where to buy engagement rings online, look no further than James Allen. 

As I researched and compared various online stores, James Allen consistently stood out as the best place to get an engagement ring or wedding ring set regardless of whether you prefer natural or lab grown diamonds.

During my investigation, I discovered that James Allen features thousands of loose diamonds ready to customize in a variety of settings, from classic Tiffany style solitaire to halo pave diamond engagement rings. 

They offer shape options from princess cut diamonds to more unique shapes like an Asscher cut diamond, allowing you to browse and select your perfect design.

With so many settings available, it can almost be overwhelming.

Their options are sorted in a variety of categories such as halo, vintage, three stone, etc. I personally examined the settings, which are listed as a setting-only price, so you can customize your ring with your preferred loose diamond of choice.

When you choose to build diamond engagement rings or future wedding bands with James Allen, you can ensure you are involved in 100% of the process. That's much better than picking a stock item out of a jewelry case.

cushion cut diamond engagement ring

As I calculated various prices, I found that James Allen has a healthy variation within their loose diamond collections, making some as little as $500 with SI1 clarity or around $9,000 clarity grade of VS1. As you budget for your engagement ring, you'll find options to suit your needs.

When you're shopping online with James Allen, you know you are being taken care of by one of the best jewelry companies. They offer a free lifetime warranty that covers routine care such as polishing, steam-cleaning, rhodium plating, changing ring size, and prong retipping.

Furthermore, if you're disappointed with your diamond or diamond engagement ring, I found it priceless that they will offer you a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Wide selection of rings
  • 30 day return
  • Affordable prices
  • Lifetime warranty covers wear

Cons

  • Can't see colored diamond in settings

2. Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth is a well-known fine jewelry retailer that mainly operates online but also has physical locations within the US. As I researched and compared various stores, I found Brilliant Earth to be unique in its ethical engagement ring offerings.

They specialize in ethical engagement rings and offer unique sourcing options that none of our other picks offer. This includes procuring mined diamonds with blockchain technology, natural diamonds with GIA Origin Reports, recycled natural diamonds, and lab created diamonds. 

They also have colored, lab colored, and colored gemstones too. If you want it, Brilliant Earth probably has it. 

Blockchain diamonds are unique to the company and is at the heart of their "Beyond Conflict Free" commitment. They go above and beyond to not only make sure your diamonds are ethical in every single step of the process, not just the diamond mining process. 

If you decide to buy a diamond engagement ring with a blockchain diamond, you'll be sent a secure code via email that will show your diamond's journey. It's unhackable and legit.

Blockchain technology has been used in many technical applications, but never for diamonds.

The recycled diamonds are previously owned diamonds that have been recut and repurposed. No additional mining is needed, so they're better on energy. And then the ones with GIA Origin Reports tell you what country your diamond came from. Regular GIA Diamond Reports don't tell you where it was mined from.

Like all these environmentally-friendly and ethically conscious options, I found their diamonds are sometimes admittedly more expensive, despite the claims that it doesn't make their prices go up. However, many people choose to buy from cheaper retailers despite their best intentions.

As I filtered through various options, I found the whole concept of Brilliant Earth to be really cool. But what I honestly love is their ring settings. Not a huge fan of the prices, but that's because they mainly carry 18K gold. There's not as many options in 14K.

I browse a lot of online engagement ring dealers and Brilliant Earth's catalog for ring settings is one to be admired. The options are so pretty and fun. My favorite category is the garden-inspired. Custom engagement rings like that are all the rage right now in the jewelry groups and they've got a ton to choose from. 

This collection comes from different manufacturers and sources. Then they are pre-screened by staff gemologists to ensure that they are top-notch standard. 

Their engagement ring box is a wooden one, shipped with environmentally friendly packing materials too. Ethics, all the way to your doorstep people. 

The last thing to point out about our ethical engagement ring company is they have a warranty that cover all your ring maintenance as well as replacement of diamonds up to .25 carats. 

However, you have to pay for the warranty and the cost is based on the items. It also only lasts three years. I think it should be longer in that, but that's just me I suppose. 

Overall, Brilliant Earth is a great pick if you want a wide selection from a company that stands on strong ethical footing. 

Pros

  • Unique ring settings
  • Blockchain and recycled diamonds
  • Ethically conscious brand
  • Colored Natural and Lab grown diamonds
  • Recycled metals

Cons

  • Expensive rings
  • Paid warranty lasts 3 years

3. Blue Nile

Blue Nile Homepage

After I started researching stores to buy a diamond engagement ring, I concluded Blue Nile is another great place to consider.

As I browsed through their website, I noticed an area where you can pick out your own natural or lab grown diamond based on your desired characteristics. Not only do they have ideal cut diamonds, but Blue Nile also brands their own diamond as Astor ideal.

I decided to compare their options for customizing diamond engagement rings in various metals, including 14K or 18K, yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and the ever-sturdy platinum. Blue Nile also has a large selection of loose stones.

When I filtered their offerings, I found that they have fancy color diamonds that can be placed into a ring. However, you can't visually see the two put together on the website. I appreciate the option for someone looking for a little more spice in their ring setting.

As I continued evaluating their selections, I noticed a wide range in settings for both modern and classic engagement rings, such as three stones, pave, halo, and vintage.

For those not wanting to pick out their own stone (though I highly recommend doing so), they also have both pre-made engagement rings and gemstone engagement rings online ready-to-ship.

I discovered that Blue Nile offers a decent discount for purchasing via bank wire versus paying with a credit card. James Allen doesn't provide this option, so that's something Blue Nile has over them.

Unfortunately, I found out that Blue Nile does not offer routine repairs and work for free. The only lifetime warranty they mention is one against factory defects. They do provide a free ring resizing, and they have a free ring sizer you can download or order a plastic ring sizer, which is helpful for those unsure of their ring size.

While Blue Nile does give consumers a wide range of beautiful engagement rings online and high-quality loose stones, the lack of a decent lifetime warranty is a downside to consider when making a decision.

Pros

  • Large selection of diamonds
  • 360 HD views & photos
  • Fancy color diamond option
  • Bank wire discount

Cons

  • Only manufacturer warranty
  • Can't see fancy diamond actually set into setting

4. Leibish & Co.

When I came across Leibish & Co during my search for an engagement ring, I realized that their offerings cater to those who truly want to stand out.

If standard ring styles bore you, Leibish & Co is the place to shop online. They carry an exquisite collection of fine jewelry containing vivid fancy colored diamonds.

In my evaluation, I found that Leibish & Co is by far the best online retailer for natural fancy diamonds (they do not sell lab grown diamonds). Their engagement rings are fun and unique, featuring high-quality fancy color diamonds. You can create the most colorful custom rings with them. 

However, I noticed that the cost is high. Since they offer the best, you'll undoubtedly pay for the best. This company might not be within everyone's price range.

Leibish & Co carries 14 different color fancy diamonds, including the ultra-rare red diamond. You can purchase them loose or place them in a set.

While they offer a 360-degree view that allows you to survey the diamond, I found that at a certain angle, the light fades out the stone, making it difficult to see. It's not the most helpful view.

They do allow you to see the diamond in person at a specific location, but they charge you for this service. If they provided better views of their diamonds online, this might not be necessary.

As I continued to inspect their offerings, I discovered a unique Loyalty Program that lets you earn points when you purchase from them. Each item displays how many points you earn for purchasing.

Points can be redeemed and used for money off future purchases. The more you buy, the more you earn.

I like this feature because it's not common with many a jeweler.

Additionally, Leibish and Co. provides all purchasers a lifetime warranty with their diamond jewelry. This warranty covers routine care like prongs, rhodium, polish, and steam cleaning.

Not all stones are GIA certified diamonds in their collection, but some are in-house certified by their GIA certified employees. If you'd like to send it out for certification, they'll charge you around $150.

Leibish & Co. has a 30 day return policy and I appreciate how they will give you a free resizing within the first 60 days for those who order the wrong size rings. 

Pros

  • High quality fancy shaped diamonds
  • Loyalty program
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Temporary resizing

Cons

  • Pictures with glare
  • Expensive high end diamond rings



Additional Buying Options

When it comes to buying an engagement ring, there are many reputable and established retailers to choose from. While we haven't vetted all of them, we've compiled a list of highly regarded online and brick and mortar jewelers to help you find the best engagement ring.

Based on our own research, James Allen is our top recommendation for the best place to buy an engagement ring. However, if you're looking for more of the best jewelry stores for engagement rings, Blue Nile, Brilliant Earth, Leibish & Co., Shane Co., and Ritani are also highly regarded by customers and experts alike. These jewelers offer a range of high-quality diamonds and settings to suit different budgets and styles.

If you prefer to see and touch diamond engagement rings in person, brick and mortar stores like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Harry Winston, Graff Diamonds, and Van Cleef & Arpels are known for their exquisite designs and unparalleled customer service.

Other notable and reputable options include Bvlgari, Buccellati, De Beers, Kwiat, Forevermark, Helzberg Diamonds, Jared, Brilliant Co., Robbins Brothers, and Tacori. Newer retailers to investigate include Braverman Jewelry, Caravaggio Jewelry, and Hiddenspace. Each of these retailers has a unique selection of natural and/or lab grown diamonds, settings, and services to help you find the perfect engagement ring. 


How We Selected The Best Places to Buy Engagement Rings Online

Selection

I browsed and compared a variety of online jewelry stores, focusing on their engagement ring selections. I specifically searched for stores that offer a wide range of styles, from classic solitaires to intricate vintage designs, as well as customizable options for engraving and to cater to diverse preferences and tastes for both natural and lab grown diamonds and gemstones.

Quality

I carefully examined the quality of the diamond engagement rings offered by different retailers, particularly the diamond shape, cut, color, clarity, and carat of the diamonds and other gemstones used. I also took into account any certifications, such as GIA or AGS, to verify the authenticity and quality of the genuine products.

Settings and Jewelry Available

In my research, I paid close attention to the variety of custom engagement ring settings and jewelry available on each website to design your own ring. I looked for online diamond stores that provide a range of metal types, gemstone choices, and setting styles, allowing customers to create a truly unique and personalized engagement ring with a modern or antique look.

Pricing

I compared the pricing of custom engagement rings and wedding rings across various retailers, considering both budget-friendly and high-end designer options. I also took into account any available discounts, promotions, or financing options that could help customers save on their purchases.

Website Experience

I evaluated the user experience on each website, focusing on the ease of navigation, the ability to customize and visualize ring designs, and the availability of educational resources to help customers make informed decisions to buy engagement rings or schedule a consultation with an expert.

In-person Experience

Although my primary focus was on online engagement ring retailers based in the USA, I also considered any in-person experiences available, such as the option to view and try on modern engagement rings at physical showrooms or locations, or to make an appointment to consult with diamond and jewelry experts for guidance and recommendations.

My Experience

I personally explored the websites of several top online retailers and tested their checkout process to assess the user experience. I focused on aspects such as ease of customization, visualizing ring designs, and the simplicity of the checkout process. Additionally, I examined the shipping and delivery times listed by each retailer, as well as their packaging and handling methods to ensure the safe arrival of the handcrafted engagement rings.

Customer Service

Lastly, I assessed the level of customer service provided by each retailer, looking into aspects like responsiveness, assistance with ring customization, and policies for returns, exchanges, and resizing. I also read customer engagement rings reviews and testimonials to gauge their overall satisfaction with the service provided.

Best Engagement Rings FAQs

There are so many questions couples ask when trying to figure out where to get diamond engagement rings online. 

I mean, who really carries the best diamond rings? Should you opt for natural gems or go for the best lab grown diamonds you can afford?

Should you consider diamond engagement ring retailers that offer all diamonds or a mix of gemstones and diamonds?

What will you set it in? Rose gold? White gold? Maybe yellow gold? Platinum?

Go modern or consider vintage rings?

The possibilities are endless between choosing the right gemstones, metal, accessories, and setting. Check out the most asked questions about buying engagement rings online. 

Is it cheaper to buy engagement rings online?

You might have heard that the best things in life are free. The best diamond engagement rings are not.

While most people think they can find a dream engagement ring on the cheap, diamonds are much more complex than just the price tag. 

While a cheap diamond might be good for your wallet, it won't have a great lifespan nor make for a great gift. Cheaper traditional diamonds tend to have worse cuts and more inclusions. This isn't true for all of course, but for many. 

But then again, if you go to a physical diamond store to look for the best diamond rings, you're either not going to find it in stores. If you do, you're going to pay way more for way less than you would when online shopping. Commercial brick and mortar stores will charge their customers double for the same quality of rings you could find online shopping.

I repeat again: Online is the best place to buy a diamond ring. 

At a physical store you'll get a same size, lower quality diamond engagement ring for the same price of an even better diamond grade at one of our prized online retailers.  

How do you avoid the red flags when buying diamonds online?

When you buy an engagement ring online, it can be pretty daunting. Watching out for scams can be hard on the web. Thankfully, we have a much safer buying experience nowadays than we used to. 

1. Legitimate Companies

You should still be careful. All of the online diamond retailers on our list like James Allen and Brilliant Earth are 100% legitimate and trusted with a solid reputation. Remember, these are just my picks for the best place for engagement rings. You might have different tastes for your favorite pieces. 

Do your homework if you are interested in another smaller online retailer. Perhaps they have a more affordable price range, or better designs and you find yourself leaning toward them. 

It's very possible that they are completely legitimate, but it may take some extra checking. Before ever purchasing from an online retailer, not only in fine jewelry but in any kind of product, you should do research on the company.

Check out reviews, reports from the Better Business Bureau, and Facebook business pages to read all about different experiences. Take advantage of these tools. 

Some other highly regarded online jewelers include Clean Origin and Vrai. Each of these retailers offers a unique selection of high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds and engagement ring settings to suit different tastes and budgets.

Ultimately, the best place to buy an engagement ring online or in-store depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider factors like price, quality, customer service, and ethical practices when making your decision.

2. Conflict-free Diamonds

If conflict-free diamonds are a concern for you, it might give you peace of mind to know that most diamond retailers both online and physical stores participate in the Kimberley Process.

The Kimberley Process is a program that was invented in 2003 to ensure that all diamond market channels were providing ethically sourced diamonds and had no chance of supporting civil wars and terrorism in Africa or other places around the world. 

All diamond retailers will state (either in their showroom or website) their policy regarding conflict diamonds. All of the partner retailers on our list today deal in conflict-free diamonds. 

3. Clarity

When you're looking at loose stones for engagement rings, make sure you're considering what you're wanting in terms of clarity.

Read Also: What You Need to Know About Diamond Clarity

Before you purchase any diamond, you should really learn about the 4Cs, which are diamond quality factors put forth by the Gemological Institute of America, the leading educator and research company for all jewelry. 

Clarity should be a big factor when buying loose stones to be set into a dream ring setting. With other fine jewelry, you might not need to rely on diamond clarity grades. But because engagement rings are viewed from the top view, you'll want to make sure there aren't any inclusions, or any unflattering diamond characteristics. 

If a shop does not give a definite clarity grade for at least the center diamond, you're probably not making the best purchase. You can find a lot of these types of lower quality rings on Amazon.

online diamond engagement rings

How do you get the best deal when buying diamonds online?

When it comes to diamond jewelry gifts to solidify your relationship, getting a great deal on an engagement ring or wedding band isn't about numbers. Most people who don't know a whole lot about diamonds assume if they get a big diamond piece for a lower price, they're getting a good deal.

This is not necessarily the case. The best engagement rings aren't always the ones with the bigger diamond. 

All genuine diamonds go by the grading scale of the 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat. 

It's possible to get a 2-carat diamond engagement ring with a good cut, lower color grade & clarity grade, but you'll sacrifice the overall beauty of the diamond. For some, that's important.

It's not to say that all beautiful diamonds cost more, but you might find quality factors you don't want to sacrifice when piecing together your engagement ring. 

Cut

The cut of your diamond affects the durability and brilliance of the diamond. Cut quality is determined by the proportions, polish, and symmetry of the diamond. A bad cut will "leak" light and not produce the same level of fire. That said, I don't recommend ever sacrificing cut quality. 

Clarity

How eye-clean your diamond is (see the Red Flags section.)

Color

All diamonds are measured on a color grade scale generally from D-K. K is faint yellow, which is considered the lowest color grade before it is considered a fancy yellow diamond. Some places will assign a lower letter grade, but most stop at K.

Carat

Most men and womenc think the carat weight is the visual size of the diamond, but it's how much your stone weighs. The diamond shape you choose will determine how big your diamond looks, not its carat weight. 

Clearer, colorless larger diamonds are harder to find, which is why the prices dramatically increase from 1 carat to 2 carats.  

You can go for a lower clarity grade and save lots of money, but make sure you look at the stone first. Any of the online stores that offer a 360 view on their diamonds will help you identify characteristics or inclusions and where they are located.

If you have an SI1 grade diamond and its inclusions are on the edge where a prong will be placed, you won't even see it. And you pay less. 

Similarly, if you look at diamond color grades, you really can't always tell the difference between a D and E color grade, but the cost of the difference is large.

The rule is two color grades away is a difference. You'll notice the color difference between a D & G. But a G & H? They'll look the same and it saves you money to buy a lower color grade. 

Carat weight of diamonds is measured by points. There are 100 points in 1 carat. When searching in loose stone libraries, you should consider the price difference between a .90 carat point diamond and a 1 carat.

The difference is hundreds. But if you look at the two side by side, the size difference is minimal. Going for carat points rather than whole carat weight numbers will save you a ton in the end. 

Recap: Where To Buy An Engagement Ring

Here are our final ratings for trusted retailers to buy diamond engagement rings from based on our in-depth research and independent reviews. 

  1. Best Overall: James Allen
  2. Best Variety & Ethical Footing: Brilliant Earth
  3. Best Ring Selection: Blue Nile
  4. Best Fancy Colored Diamonds: Leibish & Co. 

The Best Engagement Rings Are At...

After 100+ hours of research, it is clear to me that James Allen stands out as the best place to buy an engagement ring online due to its extensive selection of custom ring settings, a wide range of diamond shapes and price points, and exceptional customer care. 

With a free lifetime warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently choose James Allen for a personalized and memorable engagement ring shopping experience.

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