Brilliant Earth Engagement Rings Review

If you‘re in the market for an engagement ring, you‘ve likely heard of Brilliant Earth. This ethically-minded fine jewelry company has made a name for itself by offering high quality, conflict-free diamonds in a wide range of gorgeous settings. But is Brilliant Earth truly brilliant – or just an eco-friendly facade?

In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take a close look at everything Brilliant Earth has to offer for engagement rings, from their diamond sourcing practices to customer service to the overall bang for your buck. Read on for our honest thoughts to help you decide if Brilliant Earth is the right choice for this momentous purchase.

About Brilliant Earth and Its Mission

Founded in 2005 by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg, Brilliant Earth was born out of Beth‘s frustrating experience trying to find a conflict-free engagement ring that reflected her values. Unsatisfied with the opaque and often unethical practices of the traditional diamond industry, Beth and Eric set out to offer a better, more transparent alternative.

Central to Brilliant Earth‘s ethos is their commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing. They go well beyond the Kimberley Process‘ baseline conflict-free certification, tracking their diamonds from mine to market to ensure they come from ethical sources. Recycled precious metals, vintage diamonds, and lab-grown options further reduce the environmental toll.

Brilliant Earth also donates 5% of their profits to support mining communities, clean up the land and water in mining areas, and promote a more transparent gem trade globally. It‘s clear that doing good is woven into the fabric of their business model, not just an afterthought.

Engagement Ring Selection and Customization

Brilliant Earth boasts one of the largest selections of beyond conflict-free diamond engagement rings out there. No matter your style, you‘ll find plenty of options to suit your taste, from classic solitaires to vintage-inspired designs to unique colored gemstone rings.

One standout is the degree of customization Brilliant Earth offers. You can choose from 10 different diamond shapes, ranging from round brilliant to pear to cushion cut. Within each shape category, you can filter by carat weight, cut quality, color, clarity, and price to find your ideal stone. Then pair it with your favorite setting in your choice of metal – white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum.

This level of flexibility is great for creating a one-of-a-kind ring to perfectly represent your love story. And if you‘re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, Brilliant Earth provides lots of educational resources to help you understand the 4 C‘s of diamonds and how to prioritize what‘s most important to you.

Diamond Sourcing and Quality

As an industry leader in ethical sourcing, Brilliant Earth goes above and beyond to ensure the integrity of their supply chain. They have a Zero Tolerance Diamond Policy that prohibits sourcing any diamonds that come from violent or inhumane circumstances.

Only 1% of the world‘s diamonds meet Brilliant Earth‘s standards for environmental and labor practices. By fostering direct relationships with mines and cutting out unethical middlemen, they‘re able to offer some of the most transparent sourcing out there.

All of Brilliant Earth‘s natural diamonds come with an extensive grading report from renowned independent labs like GIA and IGI. Reports include an assessment of the diamond‘s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight for complete peace of mind. You can also shop lab grown diamonds, which are physically and chemically identical to natural stones but with a smaller environmental impact.

Shopping Experience and Customer Service

Brilliant Earth has worked hard to make the process of buying an engagement ring as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Their website is intuitive to navigate, with detailed product photos, 360 degree views, and all the specs you need to make an informed decision. You can even see the diamond magnified up to 15x.

If at any point you need assistance, Brilliant Earth‘s jewelry specialists are just a phone call, email, or live chat away. They‘re happy to help you track down the perfect diamond, explain the differences between settings, or even make thoughtful recommendations based on your partner‘s style. Customers rave about their experiences with Brilliant Earth‘s attentive, knowledgeable, and low-pressure customer service team.

Brilliant Earth is unique in that they don‘t work on commission – their only goal is to help you find a ring you‘ll cherish for a lifetime. And with their generous 30 day return policy and free resizing within 60 days, you can feel confident in your purchase.

Pricing and Value

There‘s no getting around it – a high quality, ethically sourced engagement ring is going to be an investment. But when compared to traditional luxury retailers, Brilliant Earth‘s prices are actually quite competitive, especially given the caliber of their stones and settings.

Solitaire settings start around $700, with most ringing in between $1000 and $3000 depending on the intricacy of the band. Of course, the bulk of the cost comes down to your diamond and its 4 C‘s. A 1 carat round diamond with excellent cut, VS1 clarity, and H color (all great specs for sparkle) will run you about $5500. From there, prices increase along with size and rarity.

The bottom line? You‘re getting an exceptional ring for the price. And when you factor in the peace of mind that comes with Brilliant Earth‘s transparent sourcing, plus their top notch service, we‘d call it a very worthwhile investment.

Real Customer Reviews

Still on the fence? Let‘s see what real Brilliant Earth customers have to say:

"I cannot say enough good things about this company. The quality is exceptional, the customer service is outstanding, and it‘s clear that they really care about making a positive impact. My fiancé is thrilled with her ring and we both feel good about supporting such an ethical company." – Tom S.

"The entire process of designing a custom ring was so much fun and easier than I expected! My specialist, Emily, was super helpful in coordinating everything and the final product is stunning. I would 100% recommend Brilliant Earth to anyone." – Rachel T.

"After tons of research into ethically sourced diamonds, I‘m so glad I went with Brilliant Earth. The selection was impressive, the diamond reports were detailed and informative, and my ring arrived quickly and securely. Most importantly, it‘s GORGEOUS. Very happy customer." – David M.

Based on hundreds of glowing reviews, it‘s clear that Brilliant Earth consistently delivers on their promises of quality, service, and ethical excellence. The vast majority of customers seem thrilled with their experience and would recommend Brilliant Earth to a friend.

Showrooms and Seeing Rings in Person

If you‘re the type who needs to see a big purchase with your own eyes, you‘re in luck. Brilliant Earth has showrooms in 22 cities across the US, plus 10 international locations. There, you can view a curated selection of their engagement rings and diamonds in person, with no pressure to buy.

Appointments are recommended to secure one-on-one time with a jewelry specialist. They‘ll be happy to walk you through the 4 C‘s, let you try on different styles, and answer all your questions. It‘s a great opportunity to get a sense of scale and see the dazzling details you might miss on a computer screen.

No showroom near you? Not to worry – Brilliant Earth offers a 30 day free return policy so you can see your ring in person risk-free. Virtual appointments are also available if you want a closer look via video chat.

Financing and Payment Options

We get it – an engagement ring is likely one of the largest purchases you‘ve made so far. To help make it more manageable, Brilliant Earth has partnered with Affirm to offer flexible monthly payment plans.

Depending on your credit score, you could qualify for 0% APR financing over 6, 12, or 18 months. Or spread out your payments over a longer term, up to 36 months, at 10-30% APR. There are no hidden fees and you can pay off your balance at any time with no prepayment penalties.

Brilliant Earth also accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, bank wire, or even cryptocurrency. They‘ll work with you to find a payment method that fits your needs.

Beyond Engagement Rings

Though best known for their engagement rings, Brilliant Earth is a full service jeweler with much more to offer. You can also shop their collection of wedding rings for men and women, all made with the same ethical standards.

From classic precious metal bands to diamond eternity rings to mixed metal styles, there‘s something for every taste and budget. You can even design custom wedding rings to perfectly complement your engagement ring.

Brilliant Earth also has you covered for other jewelry staples like diamond stud earrings, tennis bracelets, gemstone pendants, and more. They even offer a selection of vintage and estate pieces for a unique, storied sparkle. And it‘s all backed by the same commitment to ethical and transparent sourcing.

Brilliant Earth‘s Charitable Giving

True to their founding mission, Brilliant Earth donates 5% of their net profits to help build a brighter future for the communities and environments impacted by the jewelry industry. Through partnerships with Feeding America, the Rainforest Alliance, and other impactful organizations, they‘re walking the walk when it comes to social responsibility.

Some of their key initiatives include providing recovery assistance for survivors of sexual violence in mining communities, restoring biodiverse habitats that have been exploited for resources, and offering vocational training and education for mining families. Brilliant Earth also uses their platform to advocate for more rigorous international human rights standards.

In an industry that has often turned a blind eye to injustice, Brilliant Earth is a much-needed beacon of positive change. As a customer, you can feel good knowing that your purchase is supporting these vital causes.

Is Brilliant Earth Worth It? Our Verdict

After an in-depth look at Brilliant Earth‘s engagement ring offerings, we feel confident saying YES, they are absolutely worth it. No other jeweler can match their combination of exquisite design, ethical sourcing, robust diamond education, and caring customer service.

If you‘re looking for an engagement ring that is as beautiful as it is ethically made, Brilliant Earth should be your go-to. They‘ve made it easy and accessible to shop in alignment with your values, without sacrificing an ounce of quality or style. And their team goes above and beyond to make the entire process a joyful, stress-free experience focused on what matters most – your love.

While it‘s true that Brilliant Earth‘s rings require an investment, we believe they offer a superior value for the price, especially compared to many traditional luxury retailers. You can feel secure knowing your purchase is backed by industry-leading certifications, a generous return policy, and the peace of mind that your diamond was sourced responsibly.

Of course, everyone‘s priorities are different when it comes to an engagement ring purchase. But if ethical sourcing, transparency, and impeccable craftsmanship are high on your list, we can‘t recommend Brilliant Earth enough. They‘ve truly raised the bar for what consumers should expect from their jeweler.

Brilliant Earth FAQ

Still have questions about shopping with Brilliant Earth? We‘ve rounded up answers to some of the most common queries:

Q: How do I know I‘m getting a high quality diamond?
A: Brilliant Earth only sells diamonds that meet the highest standards for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. All of their diamonds come with an extensive grading report from world-renowned independent labs like GIA and IGI, so you can review the specs before you buy. Their team is also happy to walk you through the 4 C‘s and help you find the right balance of quality for your budget.

Q: Can I see a ring in person before buying?
A: Yes! Brilliant Earth has showrooms in over 30 cities across the US and abroad. You can book an appointment to view rings and get personalized guidance from a jewelry specialist. If you don‘t live near a showroom, fear not – Brilliant Earth offers a 30 day free return and exchange policy and free shipping so you can see your ring risk-free.

Q: How long does a custom ring order take?
A: Brilliant Earth‘s custom designed rings typically take about 3-4 weeks to craft, depending on the intricacy of the design and center stone you choose. If you need your ring sooner, they have a selection of pre-set rings that can ship out immediately.

Q: What if my partner doesn‘t like the ring?
A: While Brilliant Earth does everything they can to help you find the perfect ring, sometimes you don‘t get it exactly right on the first try. That‘s why they offer a 30 day free return and exchange on all engagement rings, with no restocking fees. Within 60 days of purchase, they‘ll also resize your ring for free to ensure the perfect fit.

Q: Does Brilliant Earth offer wedding bands too?
A: Yes! Brilliant Earth has a beautiful selection of wedding bands for both men and women. You can choose a band to match your engagement ring or go for a contrasting style. They also offer custom wedding band design services for a one-of-a-kind coordinated set.

How to Buy Through Brilliant Earth

Ready to start shopping for your dream engagement ring with Brilliant Earth? Here‘s what to do:

1. Browse the website to get an idea of the styles you like best. Use the filters to narrow down by diamond shape, metal type, price, or style.

2. Read through the detailed product descriptions and diamond specs to understand the 4 C‘s. Brilliant Earth has an excellent education section to help you make an informed decision.

3. If you have any questions, reach out to Brilliant Earth‘s customer service team. They‘re happy to provide guidance and help you find the perfect ring. You can also book a virtual or in-person appointment for a more in-depth consultation.

4. Once you‘ve found the one, select your ring size and preferred shipping method.

5. Choose your payment method. Brilliant Earth accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, bank wire, Bitcoin, and Affirm financing.

6. Place your order and wait with bated breath! Brilliant Earth offers free secure shipping and your ring will arrive beautifully packaged and ready for that big moment.

Shopping for an engagement ring is an exciting milestone and the start of the next chapter of your love story. With Brilliant Earth, you can make this momentous occasion even more meaningful by choosing a ring that reflects your values and supports a more ethical, sustainable jewelry industry. We can‘t think of a better foundation for a brilliant new beginning.