So, you’re thinking about buying a diamond from Brilliant Earth. You’ve seen the ads and heard about their ethical sourcing, but now you need the facts: an honest Brilliant Earth review. This isn’t just about a pretty ring; it’s an investment. My in-depth Brilliant Earth review will help you make a smart diamond purchase.
If you’re short on time, here are my key takeaways on Brilliant Earth:
My Thoughts on Brilliant Earth
What I like about Brilliant Earth
- Brilliant Earth uses recycled and sustainable materials.
- They implement energy-efficient practices to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Large loose diamond inventory of over 70,000 natural diamonds and over 400,000 lab diamonds.
- Competitive prices on lab-grown diamonds.
- They have beautiful ring settings and ready-to-ship diamond jewelry.
- It’s possible to try on ring designs at one of their 37 showrooms across the country.
What I don’t like about Brilliant Earth
- Prices on natural diamonds are higher than competitors.
- Smaller natural diamond inventory than some competitors.
- Some customers have reported problems with their ring settings.
Company Background
Let’s start with a bit of background on Brilliant Earth.
In 2005, Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg established Brilliant Earth to revolutionize the diamond industry with a commitment to ethics and sustainability. Motivated by Beth’s quest for a responsibly sourced engagement ring, the company was founded to create fine jewelry while respecting the planet and its future.
Since its founding twenty years ago, Brilliant Earth has built a reputation as a luxury jeweler dedicated to minimizing its diamonds’ environmental and social impact.
Is Brilliant Earth Really Ethical?
Brilliant Earth has built its reputation on ethical sourcing, offering “Beyond Conflict Free™” diamonds that go beyond the Kimberley Process to focus on environmental protection and community development. They offer a range of sustainable diamond options, including natural diamonds sourced from Botswana and Canadian mines, lab diamonds, as well as recycled materials. Some diamonds feature blockchain technology, which ensures full traceability from mine to market.
What truly sets Brilliant Earth apart from its competitors is its commitment to reducing its diamonds’ environmental and social impact. Their website emphasizes this through detailed initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, worker safety, and community development, all part of the “Brilliant Earth Difference.” These efforts demonstrate a strong dedication to responsible practices that resonate with socially conscious consumers.
Brilliant Earth Review: Pricing & Selection
This Brilliant Earth review wouldn’t be complete without discussing the bling and the price. Brilliant Earth offers both lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds.
At the time, I was searching for diamonds, Brilliant Earth had over 70,000 natural diamonds and over 400,000 lab-grown diamonds. That is one of the biggest inventories on the market.
What I particularly like about Brilliant Earth is that they offer you a range of sustainable diamond options, including:
- Blockchain-tracked diamonds
- Recycled diamonds
- 100% renewable energy lab diamonds
- Sustainably rated and carbon capture lab diamonds
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Brilliant Earth excels here with a large lab-grown diamond selection with over 400,000 diamonds from 0.25 carats to 56.77 carats. Prices are competitive, and you can find a 1.00 Carat Round Lab Diamond Ideal · E · VVS2 for as low as $900.
All diamonds are certified by reputable institutes, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Each certificate provides detailed information about the specific diamond, including its color, clarity, and growth process—including whether it is an HPHT diamond or a CVD diamond.
Their lab-grown diamond inventory is huge and you can be certain to find a good quality stone no matter the budget.
Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds are a different story. While the quality is excellent and the inventory is extensive, the pricing tends to carry a noticeable premium compared to competitors like James Allen and Ritani. For instance, when searching for a 1.00-carat round natural diamond with ideal cut, D-H color, VVS, FL clarity, the options were significantly fewer than those available for lab-grown diamonds. As shown below, the price for a 1-carat natural diamond is around $3,000, whereas a comparable lab-grown diamond costs roughly one-third of that.
This price difference is a recurring theme in many online reviews and was noticeable compared to vendors like Ritani or James Allen. To be honest, you might find a similar diamond or engagement ring for less elsewhere. Whether the premium for Brilliant Earth’s ethical sourcing and brand reputation is worth it depends on your priorities.
Navigating Brilliant Earth’s Website
Brilliant Earth’s website is thoughtfully designed to make your diamond search seamless. You can easily filter diamonds by shape, carat, cut, color, clarity, and more, while also exploring various metal options like rose gold and yellow gold.
Whether you prefer a timeless round cut or a distinctive, unique shape, the platform helps you find a diamond that perfectly matches your preferences.
One of the standout features is its intuitive search tool, which allows you to explore and customize key factors. I highly recommend experimenting with the various filters to see how each one influences the range of diamonds available.
The Showroom Experience
As a primarily online retailer, Brilliant Earth offers the convenience of shopping from home but also has 37 showrooms nationwide for those who prefer a more traditional, in-person experience. These showrooms provide an opportunity to view their jewelry up close and receive guidance from staff.
I visited their Los Angeles showroom to experience their in-person customer service. I had a positive experience trying on various ring designs. The staff member was friendly and patient, and I really appreciated the relaxed atmosphere. I do a lot of secret shopping at jewelers throughout the year, and Brilliant Earth stood out with its no-pressure environment.
If you’re considering buying an engagement ring, I highly recommend visiting a Brilliant Earth showroom before buying online. This allows you to browse through thousands of diamonds, compare qualities, and make an informed decision.
Brilliant Earth Services
Brilliant Earth offers
Pay by Bank Wire and Save 1.5%
If you choose to purchase a diamond at Brilliant Earth, I recommend paying via wire transfer to take advantage of Brilliant Earth’s 1.5% discount on the listed price of your item. Once you place your order, you’ll receive detailed transfer instructions. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your bank to process the payment, but your items will be shipped promptly once the transfer is confirmed.
Brilliant Earth Customer Reviews
There are many happy customers who love their Brilliant Earth engagement rings and jewelry. But there are also customers on platforms such as Trustpilot, Yelp, and Reddit who have expressed concerns about Brilliant Earth’s craftsmanship, communication, and repair services.
Some reviews highlight issues with poorly made engagement rings, including loose stones and settings that break shortly after purchase. Additionally, some customers have reported frustration with the lack of timely and clear communication from Brilliant Earth’s customer service team when addressing these problems. Some customers also express dissatisfaction with engagement ring repairs, citing long wait times and unsatisfactory results. These recurring complaints indicate a need for improvement in product quality and customer service responsiveness.
They get 2.5 stars on Trustpilot
Brilliant Earth gets 4 stars on Yelp
Customers continue to report issues with communication from Brilliant Earth, particularly concerning settings and repairs, which is a common concern that I’ve heard over the years.
Brilliant Earth Reddit Reviews
On Reddit, often considered the “holy grail” of unfiltered opinions, users frequently raise similar concerns about Brilliant Earth. Numerous posts detail negative experiences with engagement rings, including issues with craftsmanship, durability, and customer service.
Brilliant Earth Review: Overall Impressions
This Brilliant Earth review addressed key shopper concerns: Is the price fair? Is the diamond selection adequate? Are their ethical claims legitimate?
I’m impressed with Brilliant Earth’s vast selection of responsibly sourced natural diamonds and sustainable lab-grown options. Their user-friendly website makes customizing your diamond ring effortless, and I think their ring designs stand out as some of the best among competitors.
For those seeking natural diamonds, Brilliant Earth’s pricing might not always offer the “best value for money.” However, their exquisite settings are a major draw. If you fall in love with a setting—as I did—don’t worry; they offer over 70,000 natural diamonds and more than 400,000 lab-grown diamonds, so you’re bound to find the right match.
Bottom Line Recommendation
The company offers a wide range of responsibly sourced natural diamonds and sustainable lab-grown options, coupled with beautifully designed settings and a user-friendly shopping experience. That said, it’s essential to weigh these positives against the recurring concerns raised by customers. Reports of poor craftsmanship, such as loose stones, fragile settings, communication issues, and subpar repair services, have disappointed some buyers. These complaints, frequently voiced on platforms like Yelp, Trustpilot, and Reddit, suggest that while Brilliant Earth has much to offer, it may not always meet the expectations of shoppers looking for flawless quality and impeccable service.
Ultimately, your decision should be based on your priorities—whether it’s their ethical sourcing, unique designs, or the level of after-sales support you expect.
FAQs Brilliant Earth
Is Brilliant Earth Legit?
Yes, Brilliant Earth is a legitimate business established in 2005. It is an online retailer of ethically sourced fine jewelry, including engagement rings, diamond necklaces, diamond earrings, and diamond studs.