If you‘re considering buying diamond jewelry online, chances are Pompeii3 caught your eye. I recently purchased several pieces from this ecommerce jewelry company – including an engagement ring! – and wanted to share my authentic experiences to help you decide if they live up to their glowing reputation.
I‘ve been buying jewelry for over a decade now from stores like Zales to Blue Nile to James Allen. So I understand what sets the mediocre retailers apart from the best-in-class. I have pretty high standards when thousands of dollars are on the line.
Over the following 2500+ words, I‘ll tell you how Pompeii3 stacks up on price, quality, style, customization options and more so you can determine if they should be on your short list. Let‘s dive in!
Overview: Who is Pompeii3?
Pompeii3 is a U.S. online-only jewelry store that‘s been operating since 1919. They focus exclusively on precious jewelry – think diamond engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces and the like. No Pandora style charms here!
The company handles everything in-house rather than outsourcing to 3rd parties. Their skilled jewelers hand-make and polish every piece to ensure exacting standards are met. I noticed the intricate detailing and flawless finishes that come with expert craftsmanship.
They use technology to keep prices low rather than maintaining expensive retail stores. Without sales commissions and other markup bloating costs, my dollars went towards top-notch materials and workmanship rather than overhead.
Speaking of top-notch – their gemologists hand select each diamond to find the best carat, cut, clarity and color permutations for the price. You won’t get stuck with lackluster stones or noisy imperfections here.
Now let’s get to the good stuff: the jewelry itself!
Pompeii3 Diamond Quality Blows Zales Out Of The Water
My journey with Pompeii3 began a few months ago when my boyfriend and I started ring shopping. I immediately nixed going the Zales or Kay Jewelers route. I knew their diamond quality couldn’t compare to internet retailers dedicated specifically to diamond jewelry.
I’d heard rave reviews about James Allen’s 360 degree video technology that let you visually inspect diamonds closely. So we built a shortlist to compare there along with Blue Nile and Pompeii3.
Of the three, Pompeii3 completely won me over with their Rare Finds section. This let me cherry pick the finest loose diamonds across all vendors to find the perfect one.
They had intensive filters to target the exact cut, carat, color and clarity combo I wanted. I filtered to ideal cut, D-E color grade, excellent clarity and a minimum 1.8 carat size. Of the 15 resulting diamonds, one stood head and shoulders above the others – a jaw dropping 2.2 carat round gem that was heads above anything Zales carries!
The price was just under $15k which was in line with the larger stone size plus high quality specs. I had Pompeii3 customize a gorgeous split shank pave setting in rose gold to really make it pop. Pictures don’t do the scintillating beauty justice!
My Other Pieces Confirm Pompeii3‘s Commitment to Craftsmanship
I was so enthralled with my custom engagement ring that I had to buy myself a little gift too – a dainty three stone diamond ring!
I wanted something timeless I could wear stacked as part of my daily bands collection. Pompeii3 had lots of design possibilities but I ultimately chose a 14k white gold micro pave three stone ring with 0.50 carats total stone weight.
I was nervous the micro-sized diamonds would seem dull or chip over time. But even after weeks of daily wear they shine as brilliantly as the day I got the ring. The prongs and channel settings keep every stone securely in place.
The excellence holds up across all precious metals too. I purchased some gemstone earrings in sterling silver rather than gold given how much I spent on my engagement ring! Even paired with the softer metal, the princess cut green amethysts retain remarkable clarity and luster over time.
Based on analyzing the level of intricacy and resilience across these pieces, Pompeii3 absolutely invests the time needed for stunning, heirloom worthy designs.
Delicate yet durable three stone ring that stacks beautifully
How Does Pompeii3‘s Price Compare to Traditional Jewelers?
So by this point you must be wondering – how much higher were Pompeii3‘s prices compared to traditional jewelers to get this level of quality?
I was pleasantly surprised to discover their prices aligned much closer to mall brands than prestige purveyors. In some cases I found them [significantly less] expensive!
Take my three stone ring – a similar piece at Zales was $729 for a 0.50 carat weight. The clarity and color grades were noticeable worse, and the 14k gold seemed cheaper too.
Yet my Pompeii3 band with IF/VVS quality diamonds, excellent polish and buttery 14k gold was just [$550]!
I saw similar value gaps as I compared across other categories too:
| Jewelry Type | Zales Price | Pompeii3 Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 carat diamond studs | $3,999 | $2,950 |
| Diamond bracelet | $1,999 | $1,200 |
| Gemstone pendant | $339 | $275 |
Now things change once you get into designer and high jewelry brands – but compared to mall retailers, Pompeii3 consistently wins on cost.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy From Pompeii3?
Trying new brands always poses some risk of disappointment. But I can wholeheartedly say Pompeii3 exceeded my expectations across the board. They offer:
- Gorgeous diamonds: Ideal quality stones not found at typical retailers
- Expert craftsmanship: Meticulous designs hold up extremely well
- Stunning styles: On trend pieces with lots of customization ability
- Friendly prices: Far cheaper than comparable design houses
Between the exceptional diamonds and overall buying experience, I‘m so glad I took a chance with Pompeii3. If you have any reservations like I once did as a first time buyer, rest assured you’re making the right choice.
Have you purchased from Pompeii3 before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
