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In this in-depth Brilliant Earth review, I delve into the heart of their claims about ethical and eco-friendly jewelry practices. Does Brilliant Earth truly stand by its commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, or do these claims merely amount to clever marketing tactics? Join me as I uncover the reality behind Brilliant Earth’s brand promises.

  • Ethical and eco-friendly diamonds
  • Commitment to giving back to communities affected by unethical diamond practices
  • Free shipping to the US, Canada, & Australia
  • Free 30 days returns and re-sizing
  • Great reviews on places like Yelp and Google Places
  • BBB A+ accredited business
  • Options for custom design of rings with multiple options

Brilliant Earth Homepage

The Company

We can’t fault Brilliant Earth’s marketing claims to the diamond industry. As laid out in their “Our Mission” page, not only do they claim to make their jewelry as beautiful as others on the market, but they also claim to do so in an ethical, eco-friendly, and sustainable way. They even have diamonds trademarked as Beyond Conflict FreeTM – these diamonds aim to cultivate ‘a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable jewelry industry’.

They claim to use socially responsible practices, provide education on environmental issues, and promote growth the Brilliant Earth Foundation which promotes growth and supports organizations around the world. Their contributions have doubled since 2020.

Their commitment to ethical jewelry is moving, however reputable jewelers buy diamonds from companies that adhere to the Kimberly Process, in fact Whiteflash runs several social responsibility programs and Blue Nile also promotes Ethical Diamond Sourcing and Responsible Mining. That said, they go beyond this with lab-created and recycled diamonds as well. Both of which require no new mining. You can read more about my thoughts on lab diamonds and learn more about Brilliant Earth’s commitment to traceable diamond origins here.

History

Brilliant Earth, established in 2005 by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg, emerged from a personal quest to find an ethically sourced diamond engagement ring in 2003. Frustrated with the lack of options for responsibly sourced jewelry, the founders realized a significant market gap in the jewelry industry. Their journey began with intensive research into the diamond industry, leading them to uncover the harsh realities of diamond mining, including environmental degradation and human rights abuses associated with conflict diamonds, often referred to as “blood diamonds.”

Motivated to make a difference, Gerstein and Grossberg established Brilliant Earth with a mission to offer an alternative. They committed to sourcing diamonds and other precious gems that are not only conflict-free but also adhere to strict labor and environmental standards. This ethical sourcing approach extends to the use of recycled or responsibly mined precious metals, further distinguishing their brand in the market.

Brilliant Earth set itself apart by emphasizing transparency and ethical practices in an industry often criticized for its opacity and ethical issues. They introduced innovative measures such as blockchain tracking for some of their diamonds, allowing customers to trace the stone’s journey from mine to market. This level of transparency was revolutionary in the diamond industry and played a significant role in building customer trust.

Exclusivity

Brilliant Earth does boast some levels of exclusivity. They source their diamonds from a number of mines around the world, with two of these being exclusively from the Diavik and Ekati mines in Canada. However,  some of their diamonds can be found on other retailer’s websites much like Blue Nile – this is common however.

If you’re looking for alternatives I would also recommend Whiteflash and their A Cut Above diamonds. They also have light performance and diagnostic images including HD videos, ASET maps, ideal scopes, hearts images and 360 HD Video. James Allen is also worth considering with their True Hearts diamonds they also have 360 HD videos of their diamonds.

If you’re looking for lab diamonds, I’d also consider Blue Nile. They provide fantastic affordability to those on lower budgets.

Designer & Custom Items

Brilliant Earth does offer a custom design option, it is a slick and smooth offering which is easy for any user to follow. It easily allows you to choose the setting and diamond of your ring, with multiple options for setting & design style, cut, precious metal, carat, shape, and price limit.

The high level of options available makes this a useful service for anyone looking to custom build their own perfect diamond ring.

The Website

Brilliant-Earth-Engagement-Rings-Beyond-Conflict-Free-Diamonds™

Everything is clearly laid out, and it is more than easy to navigate.

They have a brilliant “education” section, which gives information on everything from who they are, to their mission, to conflicts over the world, and a handy diamond choosing guide, as well as other guides.

All-in-all, Brilliant Earth offer a good process and user journey when using the website.

Diamond Imaging & Light Performance

Not all of Brilliant Earth’s diamonds have light performance and diagnostic images – ASET maps, ideal scopes, HD Vidoes and hearts images, however they will provide ASET Maps and Ideal Scopes upon request for every diamond. This is more than you’ll get from Blue Nile and James Allen, but Whiteflash has the largest range of light performance images as things stand.

They have also started providing some HD videos of the diamonds in order to get a better view, they also back this up with free 30 day returns and 60 day resizes which is refreshing despite it not being a unique proposition.

The imagery throughout the website is nice, clean, and slick. It adds to the smooth and streamlined approach that Brilliant Earth offer.

They have also started to roll out videos for many of their diamonds. Please see this 2.25 Carat Round Lab Created Diamond:

Diamond imaging is extremely important, and while each and every diamond is unique, they aren’t all equal. This is why it’s crucial to be able to view light performance and diagnostic images of the diamonds that you are about to purchase. The importance of testing the light performance of your diamond is something that we have previously covered however this is a great step in the right direction.

If you’re looking to purchase a lab diamond from Brilliant Earth, please do get in touch directly so I can help advise you on your purchase.

The Shopping Experience

Overall, the shopping experience with Brilliant Earth is a good and smooth one with secure payments. With multiple options, it is easy to quickly whittle down the diamonds on offer to find the one that perfectly matches your requirements. You can add the diamond of your choice to either your shopping bag or to a ring of your choice, or even save to a wish list for later.

You don’t need an account to purchase the diamonds, which other sites force you to do, making it quick and easy to purchase your desired product. Finally, you can have the item shipped to your address, free if you are in the US, Canada, or Australia, or you can pick it up at a nearby showroom.

Brilliant Earth Lab Created Diamonds

Lab-created diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds and can be a more affordable and responsible option, as they are grown in a laboratory using advanced technology and do not require mining. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds and are available in a variety of colors, including rare fancy colors. Lab-created diamonds are created using tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds and advanced technology that mimics the process of natural diamond formation. They can be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment, but not with the naked eye. Lab-created diamonds should not be confused with diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which are not true carbon crystals and do not have the same properties as diamonds.

Brilliant Earth lab created diamonds are produced using advanced technology that replicates the conditions under which diamonds naturally form. This includes either applying extreme pressure and heat or using a special deposition process called CVD. In some cases, diamonds created through deposition may also be treated with pressure and heat after they have been grown. Lab-grown fancy colored diamonds are made by adding small amounts of specific trace elements during the growth process, just like in nature. However, the exact composition of trace elements in lab-grown diamonds may be different from those in natural diamonds. These diamonds can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth.

Brilliant Earth have a fantastic selection of lab created diamonds and fancy colored diamonds. If you’re looking for the best of the best lab created round and oval cut diamonds I would also consider Whiteflash – their diamonds are cut to produce optimal light performance. Another option would be James Allen.

There are many benefits to lab diamonds including:

  • Lab-grown diamonds are often of higher quality and purity, resulting in more stunning pieces
  • They tend to have fewer flaws compared to natural diamonds
  • Choosing lab-grown diamonds can be a more environmentally conscious option
  • They can be more affordable than natural diamonds
  • It is possible to create lab-grown diamonds in rare fancy colors, making unique pieces more accessible
  • You can easily track the origin of lab-grown diamonds and ensure they come from responsible sources that do not support poor treatment of workers or communities.

The Choice

Brilliant Earth has a wide range of diamonds on offer, with ten different styles, multiple carats, cuts, and colors. Their diamonds come from multiple sources, including Canada and Botswana among others. Overall, this leads to a good choice of ethically sourced diamonds. Their selection of Lab Diamonds is to be commended, along with their Lab Created Colored Diamonds as well.

If you’re looking for a larger selection of generic diamonds I would also consider Blue Nile. However if you’re looking for the best quality lab diamonds then try the Precision Lab Brand from Whiteflash.

The Returns Policy

Brilliant Earth has a comprehensive returns policy, with free 30 day returns and 60 day resizes. This goes some way in helping to make up for their lack of diamond images. They do, however, cover both ways of packaging and posting costs in the US, Canada, and Australia.

They also offer two types of lifetime guarantees, with one allowing for a diamond upgrade and the other covering any manufacturing defects.

The Bottom Line – Is Brilliant Earth Legit?

Brilliant Earth’s lab created diamonds and lab created colored diamonds have impressed me.

If you’re looking for super ideal cut VVS round natural or lab diamonds though Whiteflash have the slight edge, their A CUT ABOVE® diamonds (which I’ve reviewed in more detail here) and their Precision Lab Diamonds are far superior.

Their offering and commitment to conflict free diamonds should also be commended, whether or not this is unique, and they make a huge effort to positively impact the diamond industry and communities as well.

Brilliant Earth Review: 4 out of 5 ★★★★ by

Richard Jenkins, The Diamond Guru

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