I Tested James Allen’s Ring Studio; Here’s What I Made
Associate Editor Lenore Fedow used the retailer’s online customization tools to craft her dream ring.
From billion-dollar companies to independent jewelers, I love to see what retailers have in the works.
So, when someone from the James Allen team reached out to ask if I’d like to walk through the process of creating a ring using The Ring Studio, its online engagement ring customizer, I jumped at the chance.
The ring I created would be a reproduction, set with cubic zirconia stones rather than diamonds, but I was still excited.
This past fall, I tested out the new Vera Wang engagement ring try-on kit from Zales, which lets customers create a ring online and receive a kit of prototypes to take for a test run. I even channeled my inner influencer and filmed an unboxing video!
It was such a fun experience that I filmed another when I received this James Allen ring.
It was an enjoyable process from start to finish, so let me give you the rundown on how it works.
Signet Jewelers-owned James Allen introduced The Ring Studio in August 2021.
You choose from hundreds of setting styles and more than 200,000 diamonds.
In the online ring creator, you can pick the setting, the metal, and the style for the head and the shank.
For an added personal touch, you can add a hidden diamond or gemstone to the ring or engrave something special on the band.
If that sounds like a ton of options, you would be correct. For me, it was a bit overwhelming to see all the choices, but I found a way forward.
I started by picking a setting but filtered it to show me only settings that work with a marquise-cut diamond, my favorite diamond shape.
You can also filter by style of setting, like solitaire or vintage, and/or by metal choice, including 14-karat and 18-karat white or yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum.
It’s great to have a lot of options, but I would recommend making use of the available filters or you’ll be scrolling for a while, not that it’s necessarily a bad way to spend a day!
I knew I wanted a marquise-cut diamond and a white gold band, but I wasn’t set on one specific setting style.
Even when I made use of all of the filters, I still had a long list to choose from but managed to whittle it down to seven options.
All the settings and diamonds can be viewed in 360-degree high definition, which is an added bonus for a customer who may be wary of choosing based on a two-dimensional image, or for someone who can’t decide among the final seven choices.
To choose the perfect setting, I had to determine which style elements I wanted in my ring.
I find metal-only bands to be a little boring, but I didn’t want anything too elaborate either. I also didn’t want a halo as I prefer to let a beautiful stone speak for itself.
I decided on a cathedral-style setting with a pavé crown. The pavé added a little extra sparkle without detracting from the center stone.
I didn’t need to pick a diamond, since I was just doing a test run and the ring I ultimately received was only a cubic zirconia reproduction, but I took a look anyway.
You can choose between a natural or a lab-grown diamond, or another gemstone, like ruby, emerald, or various colors of sapphire.
Considering I was choosing a less common shape, James Allen had a lot of options available.
For the size, I decided on a reasonable 1-carat diamond, though there was the chance to go as big as 5-plus carats.
I settled on a 1.01-carat, F color, IF clarity marquise diamond. I am a quality over quantity kind of woman, after all.
On the site, there is information about the diamond underneath its image, everything from its color and clarity to its symmetry and fluorescence.
The diamond I chose was GIA-graded, and you can call James Allen customer service if you would like to see a copy of the grading report.
One feature of The Ring Studio I particularly liked allows you to view diamond size on a person’s hand to get a better idea of what it looks like at scale, helping you to visualize the difference between 1 carat and 1 1/2 carats, between 1 carat and 2 carat, etc.
Engagement rings come with a sentimental attachment, unmatched by other jewelry purchases.
For that reason, someone may prefer to choose their ring in person. However, in terms of options and information available, the James Allen Ring Studio has everything someone would need to make an educated choice online.
The ring creator is especially good for someone who doesn’t have a jewelry vocabulary and may not know how to explain the look they want, as James Allen offers visual aids every step of the way.
Overall, it was a fun experience, and I would encourage everyone, whether in the market for a ring or not, to play pretend in the studio and take a look at what customers have created to get an idea of the next big thing in bridal.
The Latest
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.