At Vow & Carat, our responsibility is simple: help diamond buyers make confident, well-informed decisions based on facts, standards, and transparency—not marketing pressure.

This page explains how we review diamond retailers, how editorial decisions are made, and how we maintain independence while operating a commission-supported website. Together, these practices form the foundation of trust behind every review published on Vow & Carat.

Our Review Methodology

All diamond retailer reviews on Vow & Carat follow a consistent, structured evaluation framework designed to reflect how diamonds are assessed in the real world.

We do not rank retailers universally or assign arbitrary scores. Instead, each retailer is evaluated within the context of specific buyer priorities, such as cut quality, budget efficiency, ethical sourcing, or customization needs.

Core Evaluation Criteria

Every retailer is reviewed using the same core criteria:

1. Diamond Quality & Cut Standards

  • Cut precision, proportions, symmetry, and optical performance
  • Availability of ideal and super-ideal cut diamonds
  • Consistency of grading across inventory

2. Certification Integrity

  • Use of reputable grading laboratories (GIA, AGS, IGI where appropriate)
  • Transparency and accessibility of grading reports
  • Disclosure of grading limitations and differences between labs

3. Pricing & Value Analysis

  • Price-per-carat behavior relative to quality
  • Markup transparency and pricing consistency
  • Lab-grown vs natural diamond pricing trends

4. Inventory & Selection

  • Depth of available shapes, sizes, and quality ranges
  • Natural and lab-grown diamond offerings
  • Distinction between in-house and virtual inventory

5. Settings & Customization

  • Craftsmanship quality and materials
  • Design flexibility and customization options
  • Manufacturing timelines and production transparency

6. Buyer Protections

  • Return and refund policies
  • Upgrade programs and long-term value considerations
  • Warranty coverage and post-purchase protections

7. Customer Experience

  • Website usability and diamond visualization tools
  • Customer support accessibility and responsiveness
  • Post-purchase service expectations

Retailers may excel in some areas and underperform in others. Both are disclosed clearly.

Editorial Independence & Standards

Vow & Carat operates under strict editorial independence.

Retailers, brands, and commercial partners do not influence:

  • Which retailers are reviewed
  • How retailers are evaluated
  • What strengths or limitations are disclosed
  • Editorial conclusions or recommendations

No retailer can pay for favorable coverage, rankings, or conclusions. If a retailer is a strong fit for some buyers but not others, that nuance is explained directly.

Our content is written for buyers—not brands.

Affiliate Disclosure

Vow & Carat may earn a commission when readers purchase through certain links on the site. These commissions help support research, analysis, and ongoing content updates.

Affiliate relationships do not affect:

  • Editorial decisions
  • Review criteria
  • Disclosure of drawbacks or risks

Affiliate links are included only when relevant and never replace substantive analysis. Reviews are written the same way regardless of compensation eligibility.

Content Creation, Updates & Accuracy

The diamond market—particularly lab-grown diamonds—changes frequently.

We review and update content when:

  • Pricing behavior shifts materially
  • Retailer policies change
  • Inventory structure or sourcing changes
  • Information becomes outdated or inaccurate

If errors are identified, corrections are made promptly. Maintaining accuracy is essential to buyer trust.

Separation of Education and Recommendations

Educational content (diamond cut, certification, lab-grown vs natural diamonds, budgets, and shapes) is intentionally kept separate from retailer reviews.

This ensures readers:

  • Understand foundational concepts before evaluating sellers
  • Can assess recommendations with proper context
  • Are not pressured into decisions without sufficient knowledge

This separation is a core part of our editorial integrity.

Who Our Content Is For

Vow & Carat content is written for:

  • First-time diamond buyers seeking clarity
  • Engagement ring shoppers researching online retailers
  • Buyers comparing quality, value, and long-term considerations

Our content is informational and educational in nature and does not replace professional gemological, legal, or financial advice.

Transparency, Feedback & Corrections

We welcome feedback from readers.

If you believe information on Vow & Carat is outdated or inaccurate, you may contact us for review. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining trust.

Our Editorial Commitment

Every editorial decision at Vow & Carat is guided by one principle:

Would this information help someone make a better diamond purchase if it were their own money?

If the answer is no, it does not belong on this site.