5 Best Places to Buy Loose Diamonds Online [2024]

In the past, most people went to a jewelry store to purchase a diamond. These diamonds were almost always set in engagement rings or other jewelry. So you would buy the diamond and the setting.

While this offers instant gratification, this method has a few problems. First, you don’t get a clear picture of the diamond itself, and you don’t get to choose the setting.

These days, everyone has the opportunity to buy loose diamonds online. This provides a few excellent benefits. However, knowing the best place to buy diamonds is crucial before you start shopping.

Please keep reading to see our top five list of the best places to buy diamonds.

Where to Buy Loose Diamonds?

When it comes to the best place to buy diamonds, you have a few options. Here is a list of our favorite websites:

1. Blue Nile

Blue Nile is synonymous with quality, offering some of the best diamonds for great prices.

The company was founded in 1999 when Mark Vadon found that his options were limited when purchasing an engagement ring. He formed a partnership with an online diamond wholesaler, which allows the company to provide great deals without sacrificing quality.

Highlights

• Blue Nile lists diamonds directly from manufacturers and wholesalers. This allows them to have a stunning inventory.
• The Blue Nile business model keeps the costs low because the company has minimal overhead.
• All diamonds sold through Blue Nile are GIA or AGS certified.
• The company’s website offers clear photos of each diamond. These showcase the beauty of the diamond and give you an idea of what it looks like in real life.
• They are an international company. If you are shopping for a diamond in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, Blue Nile is an excellent choice.

What Blue Nile Does Best:

Blue Nile is best for those looking for a diamond engagement ring. This is the majority of their business. You can choose the perfect setting and then the perfect diamond.

Check Prices at Blue Nile

2. James Allen

James Allen has revolutionized the online diamond industry. They began this process by providing eye-clean photos of every diamond they sell. In recent years, they’ve outdone themselves. They now offer incredibly detailed 360-degree images of each diamond.

Highlights

• James Allen offers 360 Degree Diamond Display Technology. This allows you to get an unprecedented view of the diamond before purchasing it.
• James Allen is the first major online retailer to offer a large selection of lab-created diamonds.
• They partner with premier designers, including Verragio, to create breathtaking jewelry.
• They have a massive selection of loose diamonds. Their business model allows them to sell their diamonds for fantastic prices.
• All diamonds at James Allen are certified conflict-free. You can enjoy your diamond with a clear conscience.

What James Allen Does Best:

James Allen is perfect for those who want to truly understand their diamond before purchasing. It’s also great if you want a Hearts & Arrows diamond. Just check out the True Hearts collection.

Check Prices at James Allen

3. Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth focuses on providing sustainable diamonds. They have a “beyond conflict-free philosophy.”

Some diamond retailers offer conflict-free diamonds, meaning the diamonds' proceeds aren’t used to fund conflicts or wars. Brilliant Earth takes extra steps to ensure that its diamonds are ethically sourced.

Highlights:

• They offer recycled diamonds. This allows you to purchase a diamond with little to no environmental impact since the diamond was previously mined.
• Diamonds are mined ethically in Botswana. These mines are a significant source of income for the local community.
• Lab-created diamonds provide beautiful stones without ethical sourcing concerns.
• The metal and packaging for their jewelry are also sustainably sourced or created.
• Virtual appointments can help you select the right diamond, particularly if you are new to the process.

What Brilliant Earth does best:

Brilliant Earth is best if you are searching for ethically sourced diamonds. However, you will pay a premium for diamonds at Brilliant Earth. If you are environmentally or socially conscious, Brilliant Earth is the right choice for you.

Check Prices at Brilliant Earth

4. Clean Origin

Clean Origin takes a different approach to sustainable and ethical diamonds. They only sell lab-created diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds offer a few advantages over mined diamonds, including a lower price tag.

Highlights:

• Clean Origin is one of few retailers that offer IGI and GIA-certified lab-created diamonds.
• Clean Origin has an extensive selection of lab-created diamonds.
• Lab-created diamonds are less expensive than their mined counterparts. This allows you to get a bigger or clearer diamond that fits your budget constraints.
• Lab-created diamonds are visually identical to mined diamonds.
• Clean Origin provides a detailed photo of every diamond offered on their website, giving you a clear view of the diamond before making a purchase decision.

What Clean Origin does best:

Clean Origin is the best choice if you are looking for cheap diamonds. Their lab-created diamonds are significantly cheaper than mined diamonds. They are also a great choice if you want ethically sourced diamonds that fit within your budget.

Check Prices at Clean Origin

5. Ritani

Ritaniis one of the most well-known online diamond retailers, even though the company is relatively new. Their goal is to create a unique buying experience.

The most notable feature they offer is their “clicks and bricks feature.” This allows you to select a diamond and have it sent to a local retailer. You can then finalize the purchase in-store.

Highlights:

• Ritani offers a hybrid online and retail shopping experience. You can hold the diamond in your hand before making the purchase.
• All diamonds from Ritani are AGS or GIA certified. This makes it easier to know the quality of the diamonds when browsing.
• Ritani offers a gemologist service. You can select up to four diamonds and get a detailed review of each diamond from a gemologist.
• Ritani only sells ethically sourced diamonds. You’ll never select a diamond and find it unavailable when purchasing from Ritani.
• They are less expensive than some other retailers.

What Ritani does best:

Ritani is best for those who want a custom engagement ring or other jewelry. Their Create-Your-Own-Ring feature is an excellent way to get a unique ring. You can begin by selecting a loose diamond and then choosing a setting.

Check Prices at Ritani

Loose Diamond FAQ

How are diamonds made?

Deep within the Earth, diamonds form under extreme heat and pressure. Diamonds are made when carbon-bearing minerals are exposed to high temperatures and pressures deep in the Earth’s mantle.

This environment is so intense that the carbon atoms bond together in a crystal lattice to form a diamond. Over time, volcanic activity, weathering, and erosion can bring these diamonds to the surface.

Once they reach the surface, they are mined and then cut and polished into the sparkling gems we see today.

Where are diamonds found?

Diamonds are found in many parts of the world, but most commercially viable deposits are in Africa.

The continent is home to some of the oldest known diamond-bearing rocks and has several active mines. Africa produces the vast majority of the world’s diamonds.

However, there are also substantial deposits in other parts of the world, including Russia, Canada, and Australia.

Diamonds are typically found in ancient rocks subjected to high temperatures and pressures. All diamonds are prized for their beauty and durability, regardless of their origin.

How can you tell if a diamond is real?

You can perform a few simple tests to determine whether a diamond is real or fake.

First, examine the stone under a magnifying glass and look for inclusions, tiny imperfections often visible in natural diamonds.

Next, consult the GIA International Diamond Grading System chart and compare the stone’s clarity to the examples on the chart.

Finally, perform the fog test: breathe on the stone and see how long it takes for the fog to dissipate; a natural diamond will disperse the moisture almost immediately.

If you’re still unsure about the diamond’s authenticity, take it to a qualified jeweler for further evaluation.

How much is a diamond worth?

A diamond’s value is based on many factors, including size, color, clarity, and cut. The most important factor, however, is its carat weight.

For example, a one-carat diamond is worth more than two half-carat diamonds because it is rarer. A one-carat diamond can range from $2,000 to $25,000, depending on the quality.

The color of a diamond is also important; the most valuable diamonds are perfectly colorless. Diamonds with a yellow or brown tint are less expensive because they are more common.

Clarity refers to the number and size of blemishes on a diamond; the fewer and more minor the blemishes, the higher the price.

Finally, the cut of a diamond affects its sparkle and symmetry; diamonds with a better cut are more valuable. With all of these factors to consider, it’s no wonder the price of diamonds can vary.

Why are diamonds so expensive?

Diamonds are one of the most precious stones in the world, and their value has been treasured for centuries.

While many factors contribute to diamonds' high price tag, the most significant is their rarity. Unlike other gemstones, which miners can find in many parts of the world, diamonds are pretty rare.

Only a tiny handful of countries produce diamonds commercially, most of which are located in Africa.

Furthermore, mining diamonds is exceptionally labor-intensive and requires special equipment. As a result, the cost of retrieving them from the ground is relatively high.

Additionally, demand for diamonds is consistently high due to their aesthetic appeal and use in industrial applications.

When all of these factors are considered, it’s easy to see why diamonds command such a high price.

What does Carat mean?

Carat weight is a technical measurement of how much a diamond weighs. It is commonly used to determine a diamond’s value, with larger diamonds being rarer and therefore more expensive.

A carat is equal to 200 milligrams (0.2 grams).

Diamonds are typically sold by the carat, with prices increasing incrementally as the carat weight increases. For example, a one-carat diamond may cost $1,000, while a two-carat diamond may cost $4,000.

When shopping for diamonds, it is essential to remember that carat weight is just one of the four Cs of diamonds. The other three Cs are color, clarity, and cut. All four factors should be considered when determining the value of a diamond.

What is a blood diamond?

A blood diamond is a natural diamond that has been mined in a conflict zone and used to finance civil war or insurgency. The term is usually used to refer to diamonds mined in Africa.

Blood diamonds are often mined in conditions of forced labor, and the workers are often subject to extreme violence. In some cases, children as young as five are forced to work in the mines.

These diamonds are typically sold to smugglers, who then sell them to diamond dealers. These dealers then sell the diamonds to jewelers, who sell them to consumers.

Blood diamonds are also referred to as “conflict diamonds” or “war diamonds.” Diamonds have been used to finance wars and other conflicts for centuries, but the term “blood diamond” did not come into common usage until the late 1990s.

In 2000, the United Nations adopted the Kimberley Process, which aimed to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process has been largely successful, but some blood diamonds still make their way into the global diamond market.

It is estimated that approximately four percent of the world’s diamonds are blood diamonds. The United Nations has taken steps to control the trade in blood diamonds, but it remains a complex problem to solve.

What should I look for when buying diamonds?

When shopping for diamond jewelry, like engagement rings, there’s a lot to look at. First, think about the diamond shape. Some people love round diamonds, while others prefer heart or square shapes. Then, check out different engagement ring styles to see what looks best on your finger.

You should also decide if you want natural or lab grown diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are made by scientists and are just as sparkly! Remember, the most important thing is that you love your ring. So take your time, ask lots of questions, and have fun with your engagement ring shopping.

Can I negotiate the price of a diamond at a jewelry store?

Yes, you can negotiate the price of a diamond at a jewelry store. Just like when you’re shopping for other fine jewelry or wedding rings, it’s okay to ask if the price can be lower. This is true for diamond engagement rings, too.

Some people might feel nervous about asking for a deal, but jewelers are used to it. Even online engagement ring retailers might be willing to talk about price. So, don’t be shy! If you find a diamond engagement ring you love, see if you can get a better price before you buy it.

Bottom Line

When it comes to buying diamonds, the Internet has revolutionized how we shop. Buyers no longer have to rely on brick-and-mortar stores with high overhead costs and pushy sales tactics.

Instead, they can browse loose diamonds online from the comfort of their own homes. But with so many online diamond retailers, how can you be sure you’re getting the best value for your money?

We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of reputable online diamond suppliers. We only recommend vendors who offer a wide selection of loose diamonds at competitive prices.

In addition, our recommended suppliers provide excellent customer service and return policies.

So when you’re ready to buy a loose diamond online, consult our list again. You’ll be glad you did!