Editorial Policy

Affiliate Relationships

Some links here are affiliate links. Click one, buy the thing, I get a small cut at no extra cost to you. That doesn't shape which jewelers end up covered here. If a store's return policy is written to protect the jeweler rather than you, the review says that, commission or not.

How I Research

For physical stores, I go in. I watch the showroom lighting. I ask about the return policy, the warranty, and the grading report before the salesperson can redirect. I read the fine print on anything they hand me before I leave.

For online jewelers, I go through the order flow, read the actual certification that comes with a stone rather than the marketing summary on the product page, and check third-party review sites for return-process complaints, not just purchase enthusiasm.

What I'm not doing: interpreting diamond grades professionally or making gemological claims. I can tell you what a GIA report says and what stood out to me when I looked at the stone. What to make of those grades technically is a question for a gemologist.

How to Use These Reviews

My experience is from specific stores, specific time periods, and a specific market (Charleston and online). Prices change, inventory changes, and salespeople turn over. Treat recommendations here as a starting point for your own visit rather than the final word. Verify the return policy and warranty terms directly with the jeweler before you put a card down.

Contact

Questions or corrections? The contact page has my email.