Angara Diamonds Review

Angara began in 2005, transitioning from a diamond and gemstone distributor for other brands to selling their own jewelry. Their head office is in Los Angeles, with production in LA, India, and Thailand. As a prominent e-commerce jeweler, Angara has made a name for itself with a broad selection of gemstones and diamond jewelry. But does their quality and service match industry leaders? Let's break it down.

Gemstone and Diamond Quality

Angara is known for its selection of colored gemstones. They offer four quality levels for their stones: Good (A), Better (AA), Best (AAA), and Heirloom (AAAA). While this tiered quality system is a positive, suggesting transparency, the "Good" option may not appeal to many discerning buyers. Still, the availability of quality choices sets Angara apart, and their collection of tanzanite and sapphire gemstones stands out.

In terms of engagement rings and diamond settings, Angara's quality is fairly average, lacking unique styles. The settings are satisfactory, though the collection does not present anything particularly striking or innovative. The diamonds, unfortunately, are a weak point; Angara does not provide sufficient information about their diamonds on their website. Buyers are often left without certification details, high-resolution images, or diamond performance reports, which raises concerns about the quality of the diamonds being sold.

Pricing and Value

Angara's pricing model can be challenging, especially considering the limited information provided about the diamonds. While they often advertise steep discounts from the "traditional retail value," these figures can feel arbitrary without transparency regarding diamond quality. The absence of certification details means buyers are potentially overpaying for diamonds that may not be of high quality. When compared to other diamond retailers like Whiteflash or Blue Nile, Angara's diamond offerings do not measure up, both in transparency and quality.

On the other hand, Angara does better with their gemstone jewelry, particularly for cocktail and dress rings. They offer an extensive collection of affordable pieces using semi-precious stones, with prices often under $200. These items are better considered as costume jewelry rather than fine jewelry, but they do present a good option for those looking for unique designs without a premium price tag.

Services and Warranty

One positive feature of Angara is its commitment to customer satisfaction through generous return policies. Angara also offers an enhanced warranty plan, covering repair of broken prongs, polishing, rhodium plating, and gemstone tightening, among other services. Customers should be aware of the fine print, as limitations can sometimes lead to confusion regarding warranty claims.

Angara’s website is user-friendly, offering filters to help sort by metal type, price, gemstone, and style. However, the lack of diamond-specific information overshadows this ease of navigation when it comes to more significant purchases like engagement rings.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide selection of colored gemstones with quality options.
• User-friendly website with helpful filtering features.
• Affordable options for gemstone jewelry and cocktail rings.

Cons:

• Lack of transparency about diamond certification and quality.
• Engagement ring settings are fairly standard with no unique designs.
• Pricing discounts can be misleading without detailed product information.

Final Verdict

Angara Jewelry shines in its selection of colored gemstones and offers affordable options for semi-precious jewelry. However, for buyers seeking a high-quality diamond engagement ring, Angara’s lack of transparency and limited diamond information make it a less desirable option compared to industry leaders like Whiteflash or James Allen. For everyday jewelry or statement pieces featuring colored gemstones, Angara may be a good fit, but exercise caution when considering diamonds without clear certification.