There’s nothing as moving as proposing to the person you love. Traditionally, the proposal is entrusted to the man. But things have evolved and continue to evolve. Nowadays, couples come in different shapes and forms and with different sets of values.
So, there is no clear rule on who is in charge of proposing. Yet, the fact remains that no matter who proposes, they want to make it right. You don’t get second chances. So, the right proposal can take some careful planning. These days, many couples live together before they’re engaged. While this means they can feel more confident about proposing, it also makes it tricky to plan a surprise proposal.
Thankfully, you can still arrange a lot of things online, such as reaching out to a photographer and sorting out couple gifts, for example. Similarly, you can also shop for a ring online. Ultimately, there’s not always time to visit jewelry stores in person, especially if you want to do it secretly without arousing suspicion.
That’s why so many people choose to look for a custom diamond ring online. It’s private and convenient, and you can take your time picking out something perfect without worrying that your partner will find out too soon.
But shopping online only works if you know you’re buying from a place you can trust. You want honest details, fair prices, and caring help when you need it, all without leaving the couch. If you’re getting ready to pop the question, these trusted places make shopping for a custom diamond ring online feel safe.
Rare Carat – Best Overall for Custom Ring Online Shopping
Launched in 2016, Rare Carat sells diamond jewelry direct to consumer (TDC). You can easily compare thousands of diamonds and ring settings side by side, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you commit to purchase.
Rare Carat has a history as a tech startup before it became a retailer, which means it puts the whole customer experience first. You can easily start to design a custom ring online. There’s also plenty of support available. Free expert diamond reviews and clear grading details can make sure you’re picking the right stone for your needs. Besides, they have a team of patient and knowledgeable gemologists on hand to answer all your questions rapidly. And if you are unsure about your order, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Orders arrive packed securely and beautifully packed, branded with Rare Carat’s logo, ready for that big moment.
Worth noting: Rare Carat is known for their game changing reliability in the industry, from pre-sales to returns, which earned them to be featured in a case study by Trustpilot.
Pros:
- Huge online selection for custom rings
- Side-by-side diamond comparison
- Free expert advice
- 30-day returns, free shipping, resizing included
- Best Trustpilot average rating of any jeweler, with over 2,900 five-star Trustpilot reviews
Cons:
- No physical store if you need a quick in-person appointment
- Only for diamond jewelry
James Allen – Focus on Realistic Diamond Viewing Online
If you want to see every detail up close before you buy, James Allen makes it easy.
From there, it’s easy to pick the right stone for your ring. James Allen also has store locations that people can visit for additional design questions. But, you can also run the whole process online, reaching out to them for all queries.
It can feel a little overwhelming to pick a stone and a setting on your own even with the advice available. In general, the customer service is perceived as helpful.
Pros:
- See every diamond in 360° HD before you buy
- Big custom ring selection
- Lifetime warranty and free resizing
Cons:
- You may need to visit their locations to sort out complex issues
- Impartial but not always personalized advice
- Their Trustpilot rating is 4.2 over 5, which is less than Rare Carat’s, and 13% of customers leave them 1 star
Ritani – For Online Design with In-Person Preview
Ritani is an option if you want the freedom of online ring shopping with the option of seeing your design in person. However, their Trustpilot rating is very low: 2.5/5, which Trustpilot qualifies as “Poor”.
You can fully design and order online. But if you need a second opinion from an expert, you can book the free in-store preview option. Once you’ve created your ring, you can see it up close at one of Ritani’s local partner jewelers.
If you’d rather keep things fully online, you can also skip the preview and have your finished ring delivered straight to your door.
Ritani also offers clear pricing and free shipping. Plus you get a lifetime warranty for extra peace of mind.
Pros:
- Easy online design tools
- Free local preview for peace of mind
- Clear pricing and free shipping
Cons:
- Limited online advice
- Smaller diamond selection than other marketplaces
- Shipping delays are frequent
- 2.5/5 Trustpilot rating
Blue Nile – Best for Classic Online Diamond Shopping
Blue Nile was one of the first big names to make buying a diamond ring online feel simple and safe. So, it’s a good place to turn to for your online ring shopping. As a rule of thumb, they have clear pricing with a huge selection of certified diamonds.
Blue Nile’s custom ring builder makes it easy to pick your stone, setting, and metal without leaving your couch. You can even see the detailed diamond specs to compare options side by side. However, this requires some background knowledge on diamonds.
As with all online shopping jewelry stores, you get 30-day returns and a warranty on their rings. The customer service is reliable and helpful. But, if you need more guidance from gem experts, support is a lot more limited online than it is in stores.
Pros:
- Big selection of certified diamonds online
- Simple custom ring builder
- Free shipping, returns, and lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Less one-on-one diamond help
- Some issues with shipping couriers
- As much as a fifth of reviews on Trustpilot are 1-star
Zales – Most Standard Choice for Budget-Friendly Online Custom Rings
Zales is one of those names almost everyone knows. They’ve been helping people find the right ring for over 100 years. Today, they make shopping for a custom diamond ring online easy.
The design tool lets you pick out a diamond and your setting of choice, so you can design your ring fully online. For those who know what they want, it can be sorted out quickly to maintain the surprise.
Zales also has flexible payment options, which means you can order more comfortably. They run frequent promotions too, so it’s worth keeping an eye on those. Bear in mind that while you’ll receive a quality product, it may not be the same level as with other online stores. But, this is where you need to let your budget make the last call.
Pros:
- Trusted jeweler with easy online custom design
- Flexible payment plans and promotions
- Free shipping and easy returns
Cons:
- Diamond quality may be inferior to that of other stores
- Less general guidance throughout the custom design
If you are looking for the perfect diamond ring online to pop the question, these top 5 online marketplaces tick all the boxes for trustworthiness and customer service.
Obviously, the last thing you need to do, now, is measure your partner’s ring size discreetly!