I spent weeks looking into Rare Carat because honestly, those 97% five-star ratings seemed almost unbelievable. Turns out Rare Carat beats the competition on so many levels that the consumer ratings are totally justified.
The company is challenging established online jewelers like Blue Nile with a mix of AI tech, real gemologists and top notch customer support, promising you’ll save thousands compared to other jewelry stores. Here is the result of my investigation.
What Actually Is Their Diamond Jewelry Service?
People get mixed up about what Rare Carat actually does when they first hit the website. They’re no longer a search engine or a marketplace featuring 3rd party jeweler– they’re a full blown jeweler for engagement rings and jewelry. They call themselves “the smart way” to buy diamonds because they give you expert advice to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Their whole thing is helping people across the US find decent diamonds without getting ripped off.
You get more than just a product catalog. Yeah, it’s an online diamond jeweler, but they’ve also got AI recommendations that give you personalized suggestions. There’s a custom jewelry design section too if you’ve got something specific in mind and want them to make it happen.
Other Stuff Worth Knowing
Rare Carat packed their team with experts from different backgrounds to help customers out. They’ve got GIA-certified gemologists who know their diamonds, data scientists, math PhD types, and business people keeping everything running.
They throw in free insured shipping and returns, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Don’t like what you get? Send it back for free and get your cash back without jumping through hoops. That’s actually pretty decent compared to other companies in this space.
The Good Stuff About Rare Carat (Pros)
Price and quality are probably the biggest wins here. The whole point is getting quality without paying through the nose. Each product gets a score showing you the value, which is handy.
The selection is massive. With so many different products, you should find something you like. Customers disappointed with the ring designs of the established players like Blue Nile and Brilliant Earth often turn to Rare Carat. If not, there’s that custom ring option.
Shopping there is pretty straightforward. You don’t get pressured to buy anything, even when you’re talking to their gemologists. Makes the whole experience way less stressful.
They’ve got flexible payment plans too. Can’t afford to drop a few grand all at once? You can work out a payment schedule that fits your budget.
Quick recap:
- Prices don’t suck
- Tons of options
- No-pressure shopping
- Payment plans available
The Not-So-Great Parts (Cons)
Every company has problems, and Rare Carat’s got a few. The biggest issue is that they only ship to the US and Canada – Europe and other markets are not covered. Another issue is that they don’t offer any products below $200, as their focus is being competitive on higher basket purchases.
They do save you money (when things go right)
I’ll give them credit where it’s due – Rare Carat actually delivers on cheaper prices, especially for lab diamonds. Found plenty of examples where people saved serious cash:
- One person got a 0.76ct lab diamond for $500 that would’ve cost around $1,500 elsewhere
- Their marketplace setup cuts out the usual retail markups
- They’ve got over 30 actual GIA-certified gemologists giving advice (not just sales people)
Most people in online reviews seem extremely happy. The 30-day return thing works, and when customer service actually responds, they always try to fix issues.
My honest take
You can definitely save money, especially on lab diamonds, and their gemologists do know their stuff.
Concluding Thoughts
So, is Rare Carat worth it? We definitely think so. As long as you completely understand what the service is and you don’t expect to be purchasing from a jeweler, we don’t think that you can ask for much more. You’re not going to find another jeweler like this that consists of the same number of experts, all with the goal of ensuring that you get the best for what you can afford.