Ritani Review: Good Place to Buy Engagement Ring?

Ritani gives you more confidence by allowing you to preview your ring in person before buying it. Sounds promising, but is this online jeweler good? Read on.

	3% Off Lab-Grown Diamonds over $1500 Save 3%
	Overall Score	4.3
	Price	4.0
	Selection	4.0
	Customer Service	5.0
	Photos	4.0
	Unique	4.5

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

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Pros and Cons

• Free in-store preview
• Free expert consultation
• Lifetime care

• Limited HD photos and videos
• Pricey settings

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Bottom Line

Good online retailer if you're worried about purchasing an engagement ring blind

Is Ritani Good?

Ritani offers the best of both worlds by allowing you to design your own ring online and then preview it in person before buying.

Their diamond prices are competitive with other online retailers. Offering free expert consultation, high craftsmanship, and excellent service, Ritani is worth considering.

Buying an engagement ring online can be scary. Ritani's unique approach helps you make this important purchase with confidence.

Read on to see what makes Ritani unique.

In this review of Ritani, you'll learn:

• Free In-Store Preview
  
• Plenty of Choices
  
• Ritani Packaging and Unboxing
  
• Why We Like Ritani
  
• Downsides
  
• Returns / Resize / Warranty
  
• Financing
  
• Common Complaints
  
• How it Compares

Free In-Store Preview

Ritani uses what the company calls a "clicks-and-bricks" model. They partner with retailers throughout the United States and Canada. When you purchase a Ritani ring online you're able to preview it at one of the partnered retailers.

Here's how it works:

1. Pick out your diamond or design a ring on Ritani's website.

2. Choose "Free in-store preview."

3. Ritani artisans will handcraft your ring in New York and ship it to a local jeweler near you for free.

4. Your credit card secures your preview reservation.

5. Go to your local jeweler to view your ring in person. If you love it, take it home with you that day. If you don't like it, just walk away and your credit card hold is released.

Ritani wants its customers to be completely confident in their purchases. That's why they offer this in-store preview for free. There is no obligation to buy.

© CreditDonkey

Free In-Store Preview

Click Here to Create Your Ring Online

Preview your ring in person at a local partner jeweler. There is no pressure and no obligation to buy.

Plenty of Choices

Ritani's website will make it easy to design the ring you want. Here's what you can find:

• Over 169,000 loose diamonds in all 10 popular shapes (round, princess, cushion, oval, emerald, and others).

• Loose diamonds are all either GIA or AGS certified.

• A selection of lab-created diamonds. These diamonds are eco-friendly and cost a lot less.

• Over 170 engagement ring settings. Styles include solitaire, halo, three-stone, pave, and vintage designs.

• 5 metal options, including platinum, 18kt and 14kt white gold, 18k yellow gold, and 18k rose gold.

• Complete bridal sets, wedding rings, and men's wedding bands.

• Other fine jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. You can also build your own diamond pendant or earrings.

Search for Diamonds

Click Here to Search for Diamonds

Ritani Packaging and Unboxing

Ritani sent us a sample ring so we could show you the full unboxing experience.

The ring came via FedEx in an inconspicuous cardboard box. When opened, that box was all black on the inside with white text that said "Something special inside" on the inside of the top flap.

The first thing in the box was an all-black envelope holding the receipt, warranty documents and all of the diamond's certification documents.

The ring itself came in an all-black matte Ritani-branded box. It was packaged for transport in a slightly larger black box, which was held to the bottom of the cardboard box by soft straps.

It's worth noting that our larger box did come loose of the straps during transit. There was no damage to either that box or the ring box itself, however.

The ring box itself is unique in that the ring doesn't sit in a layer of foam in the box. It's held diagonally by a small holder on the hinge of the box.

The ring box is also branded on the inside.

Overall, the packaging is fairly standard for online-order engagement rings, though the all-black does lend it a nice sleek look.

Why We Like Ritani

1. In-person inspection. As we already discussed, this free preview feature is very unique in the online diamond business. Other online retailers only allow you to buy the ring and return it if you don't like it. But with Ritani, you can have more confidence by seeing it in person first.

2. Free expert consultation. You can select up to four diamonds from Ritani's website, and request a free consultation with an expert gemologist. The gemologist will inspect and review the diamonds with you, and provide HD videos and detailed reports. He will help you make the best choice.
   Tip: You can save your favorite diamonds and settings for future visits to the Ritani site. Just create an account, and you can then store your favorite options in the My Wish List feature. Sign in again on a return visit, and your product selections will be stored for you to look at again.
   

3. User friendly website. Overall, we think you'll like shopping on the Ritani site. The navigation and layout on this site are excellent, making it easy for you to find the exact stone you want. Searches are easy, checkout is easy, and customers love the shipping experience.

   The site also takes you through designing your own ring. You can start with a diamond first or a setting first, and the site will guide you through the design. The Ritani website makes the process easy and foolproof.

4. High-quality settings. Ritani doesn't carry as many settings as some other online jewelry retailers. However, the company prides itself on its craftsmanship. Every ring is handcrafted and made to order in their New York studio. Ritani has made its mark through its ability to create a multitude of unique ring settings.

5. Price Match. Ritani has a Diamond Price Match Program. If you see a comparable diamond priced lower at another retailer, Ritani will attempt to match the price. Certain criteria must all be identical, including the certification, 4C's, fluorescence, symmetry, etc.

6. Transparent pricing. Ritani is transparent about how their diamonds are priced so you know what you're paying for. With every diamond, Ritani breaks down the cost (the value of the stone itself, the fulfillment cost, and their profit margin).

   Below is an example of this round 1.15-carat H VS2 diamond:

   Screenshot from ritani.com

7. Sharp-looking gift box. Part of the ring presentation should include a high-quality gift box. After all, a diamond is a luxury item, and it's important that the gift box showcase that item well. Ritani rings come in an elegant leather box with a gray satin interior. It has the classic snap-top shape that will allow you to open it dramatically as you ask that life-changing question.

8. Tons of educational articles. If you want to learn more about diamonds and all the different terminology, you should start with the CreditDonkey series of articles. But if you still want more information after that, Ritani has a very strong educational area that will give you all the basics on shopping for diamonds. Additionally, it contains a section on the latest trends regarding diamond styles.

Design Your Own Engagement Ring

Click Here to Design Your Own Engagement Ring

Downsides

• Limited HD photos and videos. When shopping online for something as important as a diamond, you will want to see HD images of the individual stone, allowing you to examine it from different angles. However, Ritani doesn't offer photos and videos for all its diamonds. And some only have a stock photo. And there's no way to filter your search parameters to only look for those diamonds with HD images.
  Tip: If being able to "see" the diamonds during the shopping process is especially important to you, head on over to James Allen (read our in-depth review). James Allen provides stunning HD videos of every diamond in its collection.
  

• Pricey settings. Ritani's settings are generally more expensive than other retailers'. It only has a handful of settings under $1,000, whereas other jewelers like James Allen offers a ton of choices. However, each ring is expertly handcrafted, so some may feel the price is justified.

• No super-ideal diamonds. If you're looking for the absolute best quality diamond, Ritani's selection may not impress you. It doesn't carry a collection of super-ideal diamonds.
  Tip: If you're after a top-notch diamond that really shines, check out Whiteflash instead. This online retailer is known for its world-class, super ideal diamonds.
  

Diamond Price Match Guarantee

Click Here to See Terms

Returns, Resize, Warranty, and Other Policies

• Free shipping: Shipping is free for all orders shipped within the U.S. and Canada. A signature is required upon delivery. Your ring will come in a discrete box so no one knows what's inside.

• Returns: Ritani offers 30-day hassle-free returns for a full refund. The return shipping is free and there is no restocking fee. Ritani even covers the return insurance. Or you can arrange a free FedEx pickup at your door or return to a partner store.
  Note: Eternity rings, engraved jewelry, and custom orders cannot be returned.
  

• Resizing: Ritani offers one free resizing within 1 year of purchase. Note that some rings (such as eternity bands) cannot be resized. In some cases, you may even use a local Ritani authorized retailer if the ring needs to be resized only within ¼ size.

• Warranty: Ritani offers lifetime warranty against all manufacturing defects (not damaged caused by wear and tear). It does cover prong tightening, re-polishing, or rhodium plating.

• Lifetime care: Ritani's lifetime care package offers complimentary cleaning for life. Instead of sending the ring in, you can go to your local Ritani-partnered jeweler for cleanings.

• Upgrades: Should you ever want to trade in an old diamond for a new one, Ritani has a lifetime trade-in policy. You can trade in your diamond for 100% credit towards the new diamond, provided that it's at least 2.5X the value.

Ritani Financing

If you're not able to pay upfront for the entire ring, Ritani does offer 2 financing plans:^[1]

1. No interest for 12 months
   
2. 9.99% APR for 36 or 60 months

To apply for financing, you'll have to apply for a Synchrony credit card (can apply from Ritani's site). You'll get an instant decision and you can choose which option you want.

If you are able to fully pay off the purchase within 12 months, then the first no-interest option could be a good deal. But we wouldn't recommend the 36- or 60-month financing option, as the interest will add up a lot.

Ritani Customer Complaints

Even though Ritani has overall great customer service reviews, it's not perfect. Here are some common complaints:

• The real thing wasn't like the picture.
  While it's true that shopping online runs the risk of receiving something not quite what you expected, Ritani tries to minimize that. If you're really uncomfortable with buying a ring blind, just choose the in-store preview option. This way, you can see the finished product before purchasing.

• Delivery delays.
  Ritani says the ring will be shipped 3-7 days after purchase. But some customers reported delays receiving their rings, which affected their proposal. To reduce this risk, try to purchase your ring a little bit in advance - perhaps 2 or 3 weeks out.

• Diamond not available.
  Some customers were told that their chosen diamond was not available until after the payment has already gone through. This is because Ritani works with multiple vendors and a vendor may have sold a diamond without updating the feed. When this happens, Ritani will help you find a similar alternative.

How it Compares

If you want a large selection:
Blue Nile offers one of the largest diamond selection on the internet. Because of the large selection, you may have more options in your budget for the specs you want.

Blue Nile has also immensely improved with their HD photos and videos. Most of their diamonds now have a 360-degree video. You can set filters to only search for diamonds with video. This makes searching for that perfect diamond easier than Ritani's site.

However, if you prefer to see your ring in person first, then nothing will beat Ritani's free in-store preview feature.

	Ritani	Blue Nile
	Benefits and Features
Selection	Natural diamonds and lab diamonds	Natural and lab created diamonds
Customer Service	8:00 am - midnight M-F, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturdays, and noon - 9:00 pm Sundays (ET) by phone or live chat.	24/7 customer service via phone, email, and live chat; Free 1-on-1 virtual appointment
Photos	Grading report; some diamonds have HD video	360 degree videos for most of the diamonds; Grading report
Return Policy	30-day no-questions-asked-return policy. Ritani will also cover the return shipping and insurance costs. You can also ask for a free FedEx pickup. There is no restocking fee.	30-day money back guarantee. Blue Nile will send you a fully insured free shipping label via email. Items must be in their original purchase condition, including all product documentation.
Warranty	Lifetime warranty against on all manufacturing defects. This is applies to rings with the Ritani label, not designer rings Ritani carries. U.S. customers only.	Lifetime manufacturer warranty. Terms and exclusions apply.
Buyback	Diamonds at least 1 carat can be eligible for Ritani Reclaim program. The diamond must be GIA or AGSL certified. You can get immediate cash back or a Ritani Credit Value towards another diamond purchase from Ritani.	Diamond buyback program through CIRCA based on current market value.
Certification	GIA, AGSL (natural diamonds); GIA, IGI, GCAL, DF (lab diamonds)	GIA
Packaging	Sleek all-black matte Ritani-branded ring box. A large black envelope contains the diamond documents.	Silvery-white presentation box containing diamond certification and documents. Ring box is an elegant light grey fabric covered box
Price Match	If you see an online competitor's diamond for less, Ritani will attempt to find a similar diamond at a lower price.	Yes
Resizing	1 free ring resizing within 1 year of purchase	Blue Nile provides complimentary resizing to most engagement rings and wedding bands when within the manufacturer's recommended sizing range, during the first year.
Upgrade Policy	Get 100% credit when you trade in your first diamond. New diamond must be at least 2.5x greater in value than the original diamond. Diamond must be in original condition with an undamaged grading report.	Lifetime diamond upgrade program on all GIA and AGSL graded diamonds. You will receive credit equal to 100% of the original price toward the purchase of a new diamond. The price of your new diamond must be at least twice the price of your original diamond. Your diamond must be in its original condition with the original diamond grading report.
Price
Selection
Customer Service
Photos
Unique

If you want a super ideal cut diamond:
Whiteflash is renowned for their super ideal hearts & arrows diamonds. These are diamonds that have been precisely cut to deliver the best sparkle and light performance.

If you're looking for the highest quality, Whiteflash diamonds will beat out Ritani's selection.

Even though Whiteflash doesn't have an in-store preview option, they do offer exceptional data. Each diamond comes with light performance imagery, which will give you confidence that your diamond will be beautiful and sparkly.

	Ritani	Whiteflash
	Benefits and Features
Selection	Natural diamonds and lab diamonds	In-house inventory of round and princess cut diamonds. One of the largest inventories of super ideal cut diamonds. Large virtual inventory from partner vendors
Customer Service	8:00 am - midnight M-F, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturdays, and noon - 9:00 pm Sundays (ET) by phone or live chat.	24/7 customer service
Photos	Grading report; some diamonds have HD video	Grading report, actual photo, light performance imagery, hearts & arrows imagery
Return Policy	30-day no-questions-asked-return policy. Ritani will also cover the return shipping and insurance costs. You can also ask for a free FedEx pickup. There is no restocking fee.	All in-stock diamonds (A CUT ABOVE, Expert Selection and Premium Select) and regular catalogue items are covered by a full 30 day money back guarantee. Diamonds from our Virtual Selection category as well as diamonds and jewelry that may be sourced for you from outside vendors are covered by a 10 day money back guarantee.
Warranty	Lifetime warranty against on all manufacturing defects. This is applies to rings with the Ritani label, not designer rings Ritani carries. U.S. customers only.	1 year service policy. This benefit covers refinishing and repairs to the metals and accent diamonds in your jewelry, that are the result of normal wear or manufacturing defects, for a period of one year from ship date.
Buyback	Diamonds at least 1 carat can be eligible for Ritani Reclaim program. The diamond must be GIA or AGSL certified. You can get immediate cash back or a Ritani Credit Value towards another diamond purchase from Ritani.	1 year buy back guarantee on the purchase of any Whiteflash in-house certified diamond for 70% of the diamond's purchase price. This includes A CUT ABOVE®, Expert Selection, and Premium Select categories.
Certification	GIA, AGSL (natural diamonds); GIA, IGI, GCAL, DF (lab diamonds)
Packaging	Sleek all-black matte Ritani-branded ring box. A large black envelope contains the diamond documents.	Ring box made from natural solid wood with sophisticated cherry and black lacquer; A black envelope contains the diamond documents.
Price Match	If you see an online competitor's diamond for less, Ritani will attempt to find a similar diamond at a lower price.	Not available
Resizing	1 free ring resizing within 1 year of purchase	Rings may be resized once for free within the first year of purchase. Ring designs are limited in their range of sizeability. Eternity rings with diamonds all around are not sizeable.
Upgrade Policy	Get 100% credit when you trade in your first diamond. New diamond must be at least 2.5x greater in value than the original diamond. Diamond must be in original condition with an undamaged grading report.	Lifetime Trade Up Guarantee on all diamonds in Whiteflash three in-house categories: A CUT ABOVE®, Expert Selection, and Premium Select. You may trade your qualifying Whiteflash diamond at any time for any other single in-house diamond of equal or greater value. Diamonds must be returned in undamaged condition accompanied by original diamond laboratory certificate.
Price
Selection
Customer Service
Photos
Unique
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details.

Bottom Line

We applaud Ritani's customer-oriented practices. Ritani really sets itself apart with the in-person preview option. This gives shoppers a lot more confidence when making such a huge purchase online.

However, Ritani does fall short in their lack of HD videos and photographs. This may make your choice harder. But it does try to make up for it by offering free expert consultation and in-person preview.

Search for Engagement Rings

Click Here to Search for Engagement Rings

References