Saturday, August 31st
2024 Jewelry Store Reviews
Jared
- Lots of jewelry in different styles and prices
- Complimentary consultations (online or in-person)
- Free in-store pickup
- 30-day return policy
- Parent company (Signet Jewelers) is "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
Jared is one of several jewelry stores in our review that are owned by Signet Jewelers, a huge company with a reputation spanning nearly 100 years. Jared is well known for its selection of engagement rings (as in the "he went to Jared!" commercials), but carries a wide selection of other jewelry through its 200+ brick-and-mortar locations and its online storefront.
No problem finding beautiful jewelry here
It's not hard to find tons of gorgeous pieces when you browse the Jared website. You can start your shopping with a category like Jewelry & Gifts or Watches, jump over to the Deals & Clearance section if you're hoping to find something at a great price, or scroll down on the main page to see what specials are in place. At the time of our visit, gold chains were all 30% off, Vera Wang bridal sets were 25% off, and clearance jewelry had an extra 30% discount.
Use the filters to your advantage
Once you've chosen the kind of jewelry you're buying, the filters will get you to the matching items quickly. Maybe you want something that can be delivered quickly; choose the "Get It Fast" filter. Or, you could be picturing a metal color, a style, or a preferred budget range. As you scroll through the jewelry that matches, you'll be able to see the price and whether or not it comes in other colors. Click the "compare" button or the little heart to keep anything you notice as a favorite.
Prices aren't always competitive
Pricewise, Jared tends to be a little on the higher side, even when compared with its "siblings" in the Signet Jewelers' brand family. Just for fun, we looked at the 500+ gold hoop earrings in the online store, and those ranged from $49.99 for 14mm 14K Yellow Gold Endless Hoops, to $1,599.99 for 14K Yellow Gold Open Hoop Earrings. (There were also some results in the list that didn't even match, like Peaco*ck Dangle Earrings and Textured Post Dangle Earrings, that were priced even higher; we're not sure why Jared tossed those in with the hoops.) You'd do well to shop around for anything you find and love at Jared, because there's a good chance it's at a lower price elsewhere.
Free consultations both pre- and post-purchase
Not sure what to buy? We like that Jared offers a complimentary consultation with a jewelry consultant. Simply click the button that says "connect virtually" and then follow the prompts. You'll be asked to specify the occasion, ranging from 30-minute appointments to find the perfect gift, to 60-minute sessions for those who are getting married and need the rings to pop the question or say "I do" . You can also meet with an expert to customize a piece of jewelry, shop for a watch, or set up service and repair. You'll then be able to start a live chat anytime or set up an in-store appointment at the Jared location of your choice.
Plenty of delivery options
Speaking of locations, you may want to have your jewelry order sent to your nearest Jared store so that you can get free shipping. Otherwise, you can have your items sent to a UPS Access Point (with orders of $5,000 or less) or directly to your home, but you'll have to sign for anything over $1,000. And, if you forgot your anniversary (again), Jared also lets you shop the inventory of your local store online and have it delivered the same day; just place your order by 1PM local time.
30 days for returns and exchanges
How about returns and exchanges? Once again, your local store may come into play because Jared only does exchanges in person. Returns can be done at your nearest Jared jewelry store or by mail, and Jared provides the pre-printed return label (which will be insured for the full purchase price). You've got 30 days either way.
Warranty is almost nonexistent if you don't pay for an upgraded plan
Our disappointment with Jared begins with its warranty protection on jewelry. You'll have to pay for a Lifetime Protection Plan to cover bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and basic rings, and it excludes repair and replacement of gemstones. Putting it another way, if your earring post bends unexpectedly after wearing it for a month, your bracelet clasp breaks two days after you buy it, or your pendant comes apart... it's tough luck unless you've paid for that coverage. Jared does include complimentary lifetime guarantees on diamonds and gemstones, but even the metal of engagement rings, wedding rings, and anniversary bands is only covered by the add-on "Forever Cherished" lifetime protection plan.
Major problems with jewelry quality
That's an issue because of what you'll see across almost all of Jared's customer reviews. Here's a sampler: "Bulova crystal watch fell apart after wearing it twice for 20 minutes." "The ring I purchased a year ago snapped in half." "I had to pay $250 to repair a bracelet I only had for two months, and it broke again a week later." "A stone fell out after a month." And, as you'd suspect, Jared's representatives didn't exactly jump in to make it right. Jared's parent company (Signet Jewelers) may have an "A+" rating and accreditation, but that's not a reputation that Jared can exactly borrow from to shore itself up. Everywhere we looked, the rants overwhelmed any raves for this jewelry store.
Let's hope he didn't go to Jared
Of all of the big-name jewelers on our list, Jared is the worst. You can't expect your jewelry to last, and even if it falls apart after just a month, you'll have almost no luck getting a satisfying resolution to the problem. Even their lower rating feels a little generous.
