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To say a diamond ring is worth a million dollars is a gross under-exaggeration.
Bottom Line Up Front Summary: Overall, I found the sheer selection, varieties of cuts, and diamond prices to be superior at Blue Nile here. That said, if sustainable sourcing (or lab created diamonds) are what you are looking for, Brilliant Earth is the better option here.
That is if you’re talking about the wedding industry and jewelry industry. In the United States, diamond rings accounted for $31.4 billion in sales, proving that the decline during the 2008 recession was a temporary dip. For consumers, that often means shelling out a good deal of hard-earned money to celebrate an engagement or marriage-the average couple spends just under $6,000 for an engagement ring alone.
But one thing is changing: the way we shop for a ring. While plenty of classic on-site jewelers still are highly profitable, more and more couples are turning to online retailer options to find the perfect ring.
Accessibility, convenience, and competitive prices, not to mention the same or more options for customization are only a few reasons why.
But with seemingly endless online retailers, it can be hard to find the best one for your shopping needs. Here, we compare two of the most prominent online jewelry retailers- Brilliant Earth and Blue Nile and give you the best (and worst) of each.
Main Differences Between Brilliant Earth vs Blue Nile
The main differences between Brilliant Earth and Blue Nile are:
- Blue Nile offers a diamond buyback program, whereas Brilliant Earth does not
- Blue Nile offers a larger selection of diamonds compared to Brilliant Earth, whereas Brilliant Earth offers a larger selection of lab grown diamond inventory than Blue Nile
- Brilliant Earth offers more “conflict free” diamonds compared to Blue Nile
- Brilliant Earth offers more lab grown diamond (lab created) diamonds compared to Blue Nile
Blue Nile understands online jewelry shopping. They have the deepest inventory of diamonds and settings for ALL BUDGETS. They offer 360 degree REAL diamond images online, so you know exactly what you are getting. Best of all, they've mastered the art of securely shipping jewelry and handling returns or issues with ease.
Brilliant Earth Review
A Beyond Conflict Free Mission
It was one of the most exciting–and frustrating–times in Beth Gerstein’s life that led her to co-found Brilliant Earth with her business partner, Eric Grossberg. When Beth’s then fiancé was searching for a diamond ring, it was nearly impossible to find one certified cruelty-free.
Brilliant Earth is a certified and audited member of the Responsible Jewelry Council, the leading ethical standard within the jewelry industry.
In fact, that’s the company’s entire founding mission: diamond rings and necklaces that go above and beyond typically conflict-free requirements (Kimberley Process). In fact, all their products:
- Support community development by providing employment
- Come from mines adhering to professional safety standards
- Are not used to finance civil wars
- Are not produced from child labor
- Free from human rights abuses
Physical Showrooms
Unlike many online jewelry retailers, Brilliant Earth also has 16 physical storefronts located in the major cities of San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., and Denver. It’s a plus for anyone who wants to see samples before ordering online, or for anyone who is more hesitant about online shopping.
Choose the diamond shape, carat (including rare carat options), style, and setting. You can sort by price, though the create a style is not as intuitive and requires some knowledge of what you’re looking for (it can be hard to set a budget, as each section is priced separately). Here are some nice features:
- Select from a lab created (lab grown diamonds) or natural diamond
- 10 different diamond cuts to select from
- Sample photos to get an idea of the overall look
- Simple but straightforward system
Few online jewelers recognize that there are plenty of couples looking for something a little different. While Brilliant Earth offers plenty of more contemporary options, it also has a selection of antique rings that are a real treat. What’s excellent is that antique is broadly defined. Select from:
- Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro
- Diamond or gemstone centers
- Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold, and Rose Gold
- Price, to make sure you stay on budget
From the simplest to the most ornate, the vintage selection sets this apart from other online jewelry relators and is a must-see for any antique themed weddings.
Match your diamond engagement ring to your wedding ring
A truly unique, hidden gem on this site is the option to select a wedding ring by matching it with an engagement ring.
Here’s how that works: if the engagement ring was purchased through Brilliant Earth, you could select it on an option menu. From there, you are given the option to virtually drag and drop different wedding rings to see how the rings would look together.
It’s like virtually trying on rings without ever leaving your house, plus it’s something a lot of people might not consider when hunting for a wedding ring.
Beyond the Wedding
Of course, Brilliant Earth isn’t merely online wedding jewelry—the jewelry company also offers plenty of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other accessories. Fine jewelry, gemstone rings, and vintage jewelry suit a number of occasions.
Labeled as ‘gifts,’ these fine jewelry options range from under $100 to over $35K. Diamond stud earrings are offered in countless varieties, as are yellow gold and silver pendant necklaces, and even strands of pearls. Some of the best-selling items are the most simple and classically elegant: an olive branch bracelet and sapphire wave pendant make the top two.
You won’t have to browse for too long: gift categories make your shopping more comfortable, with special sections devoted to anniversary gifts, gifts under $250, and the top 20 best-selling gifts.
The Best and Worst of Brilliant Earth
Overall, Brilliant Earth has a lot to offer as an online jewelry retailer. But it’s also not for everyone. Here are some takeaways:
Brilliant Earth Pros
- Vintage Collections provide something other jewelers don’t
- Offers 360-degree HD videos for over 80% of their inventory
- Matching service for engagement rings to wedding rings (wedding bands) offers a virtual experience that’s easy to use
- They’ve updated their site to add grading reports and photos of their diamonds
- More than 80,000 diamonds to choose from
- Ethically sourced diamonds that go above and beyond typical industry standards and help support communities and ensure freedom from child labor or other unsavory practices
- Physical storefronts allow you to see in person (if you’re near a location) and get a feel for the quality and design of the products
Brilliant Earth Cons
- Easy to go over budget, especially if you plan your budget based on prices provided by other online businesses. A lot of people believe that lab-grown (lab created diamond) diamonds shouldn’t cost as much as they do with Brilliant Earth
- Brilliant Earth doesn’t provide a price match guarantee.
- It’s difficult to find technical data available from Brilliant Earth diamonds, which make it difficult to identify the light performance of their diamonds
Blue Nile Review
A Mission of Accessibility and Fair Prices
It’s not as up-front as Brilliant Earth’s mission—you have to scroll down the page to see where Blue Nile’s standards come from, but once you get there, it’s relatively straightforward.
Blue Nile claims below average industry prices, but with diamonds to high-quality standards. It also boasts easy to use guides, especially for inexperienced diamond shoppers, and, as this review will show, more or less delivers on this final process.
With a clean, simple design and less elaboration, Blue Nile touts itself as an online jewelry retailer that allows for fuss-free, fast and satisfying shopping-exactly what a lot of customers are looking for in online retailers.
Blue Nile Diamond Standards
While Blue Nile doesn’t adhere to as extensive of cruelty-free standards as an online jewelry retailer like Brilliant Earth, it does set some proper guidelines:
- Authenticity certification means all diamonds are graded by Gemological Institute of America
- Diamonds are priced matched for more affordable options
- Cruelty-free standards mean that no diamonds being sold were used to finance civil wars (Kimberly Process)
In a nutshell, you can feel better about buying from a responsible seller, but it may not satisfy the hardest of critics of advocates.
- mean that no diamonds being sold were used to finance civil wars
In a nutshell, you can feel better about buying from a responsible seller, but it may not satisfy the hardest of critics of advocates.
Focus on Online Shopping
Though Blue Nile doesn’t have any physical showrooms, what it does have is an immersive online shopping experience, customer service, and guides to help you navigate the process. With more energy spent on the website itself, it’s fairly easy to find and select something, even if you don’t quite know what you’re looking for.
While there are many features to admire, here are some highlights:
- Customer-friendly services, including free returns, with a variety of free and secure shipping options
- Build-your-own jewelry appraisals
- Beginning guides, such as how cut affects price; the 4 C’s of diamonds, as well as general education guides on rings, jewelry, metals, gemstones, and pearls
Intuitive Customization
Build-your-own isn’t just limited to rings: select from fine jewelry, and diamond earrings and rings. For each option, you choose the shape, price, and carat. While it’s not as visually appealing as Brilliant Earth, it’s also a lot more user-friendly.
The reason why is simple: instead of a three-page process, all options are listed on the same pages with price sliders included, allowing you to have not only style but also budget in mind.
Also brilliant? A 3D visual tool that allows you to see rings, chains, and diamonds and gemstones in depth.
Bonus Sections
As an online jewelry retailer, Blue Nile is also a one-stop place. What does that mean? In addition to a wide selection of wedding jewelry, there are also sections devoted to anniversary gifts, wedding party gifts, and accessories.
You can even shop for individual members of the bridal party, such as the groom, mothers, and bridesmaids. There’s even a ‘something blue’ section.
Shop also by occasion: graduations, parties, weddings, and even party gift guides will help narrow your options without browsing countless pages.
The Best and Worst of Blue Nile
Blue Nile is one of the most popular online wedding retailers, and for a good reason: with plenty of selections, easy-to-use web pages, and buyer guides, it offers a potentially less frustrating online shopping experience.
Here’s what we love–and are more hesitant about when it comes to Blue Nile and its products and services:
Blue Nile Pros
- Simple templates and filters are also detailed enough to find what you’re looking for
- Easy to stay on budget: you can see exactly how much you’re spending as you go along with your selections, and set limits to avoid the temptation
- Customization is taken to a new level: 3D visualization and options to customize beyond rings will be sure to please many customers looking for an online experience that mimics some of the perks of in-store shopping
- Shipping, security, and pricing services make your purchase seem like a worthy investment and offers a level of satisfaction and security
Blue Nile Cons
- No physical showrooms
- A more commercial mission
- Slightly lower standards for ethical diamonds
- Difficult to find vintage pieces
So, which is the better online jewelry retailer? While both Blue Nile and Brilliant Earth certainly have their merits as a jeweler and jewelry retailer, it depends on what you’re looking for.
Blue Nile understands online jewelry shopping. They have the deepest inventory of diamonds and settings for ALL BUDGETS. They offer 360 degree REAL diamond images online, so you know exactly what you are getting. Best of all, they've mastered the art of securely shipping jewelry and handling returns or issues with ease.
Brilliant Earth offers the best regarding the overall mission, ethics, and even promotes nonprofit endeavors.
Beyond this, it’s a company with solid offerings and everything you’d want to find, including a variety of cuts, ring styles, brilliance, clarity, and prices.
The vintage collection is one of its best features. Plus, for anyone weary of online shopping, physical storefronts are a plus.
Blue Nile is certainly savvier in some ways when it comes to online shopping, and for that reason, customers looking for a more comfortable experience may find themselves more drawn to this company.
For customers less concerned about the overall company mission, Blue Nile goes above and beyond when it comes to customization and customer service.
That said, Brilliant Earth just slightly edges out Blue Nile for one reason alone: it’s more unique. The vintage collection, coupled with the authentic mission pushes it just over the edge.
Bottom Line Summary: Overall, I found the sheer selection, varieties of cuts, and prices to be superior at Blue Nile here. That said, if sustainable sourcing (or lab created diamonds) are what you are looking for, Brilliant Earth is the better option here.
Whichever retailer you chose, be sure to go in with an idea of style and price: it’ll go a long way in your search, and save you some headaches.
Make that proposal happen! Get started designing and create an engagement ring as unique as the wearer. To help pull off the perfect engagement, head over to Brilliant Earth's proposal guide.
Further Reading on Diamond Retailers
- Blue Nile versus James Allen
- Blue Nile versus Ritani
- Blue Nile versus Tiffany
- Blue Nile versus Angara
- Blue Nile versus Adiamor
- Brilliant Earth vs James Allen
- James Allen versus Tiffany
- James Allen versus Whiteflash
- James Allen versus Ritani
- Top Alternatives to Blue Nile
- James Allen Online Jewelry Retailer Review
- Brian Gavin Diamonds vs Whiteflash Diamond Jewelry
- Charles and Colvard Review
- Complete Guide to Colored Diamonds