{"id":2119,"date":"2017-05-24T17:10:43","date_gmt":"2017-05-24T17:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diamondadvisor.ca\/?page_id=2119"},"modified":"2024-01-16T11:38:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T15:38:52","slug":"james-allen-diamonds-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/diamondadvisor.ca\/diamond-advice\/james-allen-diamonds-review\/","title":{"rendered":"James Allen Diamonds Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the many years since we\u2019ve started educating and helping shoppers find their perfect diamond ring, one trend has been consistently clear – the large majority of clients and readers end up with James Allen diamonds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"James<\/a>How do we know? Well, for one, we keep stats and our readers often share their feedback with us once they\u2019ve popped the big question and the secret is out. The other reason is that we, as diamond advisors, are always drawn back to the James Allen website as the selection and features of the site are the closest we can get to mirror buying a diamond in a retail setting. This seemingly underwhelming statement doesn\u2019t mean much to new buyers but rings a bell with seasoned shoppers who have run the gauntlet of different diamond websites and vendors. With luck, this review of James Allen will help provide context into the statement and share with you why James Allen diamonds is one of our favourite online diamond retailers.<\/p>\n

James Allen Diamonds Buying Experience<\/h3>\n

Having walked countless shoppers through the James Allen buying process, we\u2019ll share some of the unique elements that will help you navigate the waters in your search. First off, the buying process at James Allen is pretty similar to what you\u2019d expect with other leading diamond retailers like Brian Gavin Diamonds<\/a>, Whiteflash<\/a>, Blue Nile<\/a>, Ritani<\/a>, and Diamonds USA<\/a>. There are, however, a few differentiators that help create an above average shopping experience.<\/p>\n

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Sample Set of James Allen Diamonds<\/strong>
\nClicking on any of the images will bring up the diamond product page to illustrate the shopping experience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Like Blue Nile<\/a>, James Allen employs a “drop ship” business model with a slight variation. In a traditional drop ship model, diamond vendors don’t keep inventory in stock but rather keeps an inventory which is 100% virtual. In other words, the diamonds in the virtual inventory are stored at different suppliers found throughout the world. When an order is placed, the diamond is packaged and shipped directly from the supplier to your doorstep. This is a highly effective business model as it eliminates the overhead associated to retail stores and shares the cost savings with the customer in the form of lower diamond prices.<\/p>\n

The fact that retailers don\u2019t have to pay for staff, retail space and inventory is one of the reasons why online diamonds are typically less than 1\/2 the price of what you\u2019d find in a retail store like Birks or Tiffany.<\/div>\n

As mentioned, James Allen uses a slight modification in their drop ship model. The key to their success is that James Allen diamonds are still sourced from suppliers but those suppliers are found in and around the James Allen operations and fulfillment office in New York City. Not surprisingly, NYC is also a diamond exchange hub which helps support the model.<\/p>\n

High Res Diamond Images and 360 Video<\/h3>\n
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One thing you\u2019ll quickly notice as you browse different diamond sites is that sample diamond images don\u2019t exist with James Allen<\/strong>. This is another key differentiator that makes the shopping process much easier and more like buying a diamond in person (which in all honesty can be a lengthy and overrated process). Some sites have real diamond images. If you\u2019re lucky, they\u2019ll also have 360\u00b0 videos like Brian Gavin and Whiteflash. However, you\u2019ll often see two dreaded words – “sample image”. As a industry insider, my advice is to immediately move on to the next stone. After all, why take the chance of buying a diamond you can\u2019t see when there are thousands other you can see? James Allen understands this philosophy which is why their inventory is rigorously photographed at each supplier which in turn supports a website so rich in diamond images and videos.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"James<\/a>Notice how the 360 view helps highlight the inclusion on the table<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Every diamond on their website comes with the ability to view it at magnification, super magnification and in 360\u00b0 video. This is extremely<\/u> useful when buying smart at the lower end of clarity<\/a> and picking an eye-clean diamond after examining it from every angle.<\/p>\n

A Great Shopping Process<\/h3>\n

Now that you know the backstory, let\u2019s get back to the buying experience. With most vendors, once you find a stone you\u2019re happy with, you add it to cart, checkout and you\u2019re done. With James Allen diamonds, you get a few more options!<\/p>\n

The James Allen Buying Process<\/strong><\/p>\n