This is an unsponsored, long-term review of my James Allen wedding ring, after wearing it for over three years.
If you’re considering buying a wedding ring from James Allen, this review should help.
Table of Contents
Quick Take
If you’re short on time, just know that I’m very happy with my 4mm platinum band from James Allen, and I definitely recommend this brand.
- They have a robust inventory of wedding bands, including plenty of options for men.
- Their 3D ring viewer is almost better than shopping in an actual store.
- Their prices are competitive.
- Their customer service is top notch.
Click here to check out James Allen’s selection of men’s wedding bands for yourself, or read on for my full review.
About James Allen
Before we get into the specifics of my ring, including why I chose this specific size, shape and metal, I want to briefly review James Allen as a company.
James Allen was founded in 2006 by Michele Sigler, Oded Edelman, Dean Liderman and James Schultz. This group of four combined their experience with diamonds and online commerce to offer a new way to shop for diamonds and engagement rings online (remember, this was 2006).
What set James Allen apart from the competition was their vast inventory (over 200k diamonds) and their “360 Degree Diamond Display Technology” that allows you to look at each diamond (or ring) in three dimensions with a magnifying glass – from your computer or phone.
They also have 24/7 customer support, tons of customization options and a solid lifetime warranty.
All of these things helped James Allen become a leader in the industry and pioneer of online gem shopping. In 2017, they were acquired by Signet, the company that owns Zales, Jared and Kay Jewelers.
Despite being part of a large publicly-traded corporation, James Allen still operates as a small business out of their Maryland office. Go ahead and give them a call (or chat online); they’re nice people!
Buying Wedding Rings Online
If you’re in the market for an engagement ring or wedding band, you have a lot of options these days.
You can go to a local jeweler, or you can choose from one of many online retailers, many of which have a much larger selection than traditional brick and mortar shops.
Of course, you sacrifice that in-person experience. You don’t get to try the ring on in real life or talk to a sales rep.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and companies like James Allen are actually making online ring shopping more appealing than it used to be.
When I was engagement ring shopping, I went to the most reputable local jeweler I could find within 20 miles or so.
It was a chain, but not a huge one like Tiffany’s. The sales rep was nice enough, but in hindsight, she really didn’t do a great job educating me about men’s wedding bands.
I Didn’t Realize…
At the time, I just assumed us guys didn’t have a lot of options when it comes to shape and size. As it turns out, that store didn’t have a lot of options.
The rep also didn’t do a great job of explaining what comfort fit means, and how it relates to the actual shape of a wedding ring.
Again, I didn’t know any of this until I spent about an hour on the phone with a James Allen customer service rep, and another few hours browsing their online inventory (which was substantial compared to the sparsely appointed local jewelry stores I visited).
So, while I understand the desire to try some rings on in real life, I think that the sheer amount of options you’ll find online, combined with detailed product photos and top-notch customer support, makes online ring shopping much more attractive.
Hybrid Shopping
If you’re just starting your wedding ring shopping journey, you should consider going to a local jewelry store to try a few rings on.
You can get a sense of what colors and styles you like and find the right size. Then, you’ll be ready to browse the vast online inventory offered by places like James Allen.
James Allen Wedding Rings
James Allen stocks a lot of men’s wedding bands (almost 300 styles at the time of writing). Plus, here’s a little secret:
Men’s and women’s wedding bands aren’t that different.
So, if you can’t find the exact size or style you want in the men’s department, don’t be afraid to check out the women’s section for another 200+ options.
If you’re not sure how to choose a wedding band, check out our in-depth guide to men’s wedding rings. It covers styles, sizing, types of metal, and everything else you need to know to find the perfect ring.
James Allen organizes their men’s wedding bands into four categories: classic, carved, diamond and alternative.
- Classic – plain metal rings (gold and platinum)
- Carved – metal rings with carving/etching
- Diamond – metal rings with diamond embeds
- Alternative – non-traditional metal rings (titanium, ceramic, etc.)
Personally, I like a simple, no frills wedding band, so I spent some time browsing James Allen’s selection of classic rings.
How I Chose a Ring
I knew that I wanted something with a low profile. This meant a flat or slightly curved shape with a low dome surface.
I also wanted a somewhat thin ring, at least by traditional male standards (3mm or 4mm). I have smaller hands and fingers, so a smaller band looks proportional on me.
By the way, just a quick side note: don’t get caught up in sizing. Too many guys wear oversized rings that are too bulky for their fingers, just because that’s all they could find in the men’s section at their local jeweler, or because the sales rep told them men should wear 8mm rings.
It’s nonsense. Wear whatever size ring you like, even if it’s technically a “women’s” ring.
I knew that I wanted a silver color, as opposed to yellow, and I decided to go with platinum since it’s heavier, denser and rarer than gold.
I actually like the way it looks more than white gold. It’s a subtle difference, but once you notice it, it’s hard not to see.
I’ve worn comfort fit rings before, and they are a bit easier to get on and off, but the rounded inside creates a thicker (or taller) ring, and I wanted a low profile, so I went with a traditional fit band.
My 4mm Platinum Wedding Band from James Allen
The ring I settled on is a 4mm slightly curved traditional fit band in platinum. It’s just 1.1mm tall, so it sits very low on my finger.
James Allen offers free inscription on the inside of your ring, so I added my wife’s first name. You can put anything up to 20 characters and choose between two different fonts (sans serif or script). The other side has the manufacturer’s inscription.
I’ve been wearing this ring for a few years now, I have to say, it’s aged gracefully (and I haven’t babied it at all).
The platinum looks great with any steel watch or silver bracelet I wear. It’s gotten a bunch of micro scratches but no noticeable dings or divots. Plus, since it’s platinum, it will clean up nicely whenever it’s ready for its first trip to the spa.
How My Ring Has Held Up
Platinum is a hard, durable precious metal, which means it’s very difficult to scratch or dent (compared to gold).
So, despite very little caution or TLC, my ring still looks great. It doesn’t have any dings, divots or notches – just your standard micro-scratches that can be easily buffed out.
But, to be honest, I don’t mind the patina. I like my clothing, shoes and accessories to show their age.
I’ve worn this ring every day for several years, and I haven’t worried about it at all. I don’t take it off before showering, swimming, hiking or doing the dishes.
This ring has taken a beating and is aging gracefully. Maybe I’ll have it cleaned up and restored one day, but for now I’m enjoying the patina.
Speaking of maintenance…
James Allen Wedding Ring Warranty & Maintenance
James Allen provides a lifetime warranty on all of their jewelry. What does this mean, you ask?
It means that any manufacturing defects will be repaired, free of charge. It also means that basic maintenance is free, including polishing, prong tightening, cleaning and rhodium plating.
To get this work done, you can mail your ring back to James Allen by purchasing a fully insured shipping label for $30 (this includes return shipping), or take it to a Jared service center near you.
My Overall Recommendation
I’ve recommended James Allen to friends and family members, and I can confidently recommend this brand to you too.
James Allen is a great place to buy an engagement ring or wedding ring, and I wish I’d known about them before shipping for my ring at local jewelers.
FAQs About James Allen
Here are answers to some common questions about James Allen:
Is James Allen a good place to buy a ring?
Yes, it is. This answer is based on my personal experience, what I’ve heard from friends, and James Allen’s overall reputation.
Are James Allen diamonds real?
Yes, James Allen diamonds are real and certified/graded by the IGI, GIA or AGS (learn more about diamond ratings and the 4 Cs right here).
Where is James Allen based?
James Allen is based in Frederick, MD and operates mostly online. They have retail locations in Washing, DC and New York City.
Who owns James Allen?
James Allen was founded in 2006, and they were bought in 2017 by a company called Signet. So, today, James Allen is owned Signet, who also owns Zales, Kay Jewelers and Jared.
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