{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "week": "2026-w42",
  "weekLabel": "October 12–18, 2026",
  "weekStart": "2026-10-12",
  "weekEnd": "2026-10-18",
  "timeZone": "America/Chicago",
  "archivedAt": "2026-10-25T23:59:06Z",
  "sourceCutoff": "2026-10-19T04:59:59.999Z",
  "provenance": {
    "sourceRevision": "f92cca2e68c61ba9b7a2adde29a1893be96ec4a4",
    "sourceRevisionTime": "2026-10-19T01:26:52Z",
    "researchFile": "public/data/retailer-return-policies-2026-10-16.json",
    "researchSha256": "b23104d3b382aae35218807d7409ea8b31e5b242beafed83b46972c9a131050a",
    "rankingModuleSha256": "a1698c13034fe7e8e5b23d72313fcd3cdeae591beab12c6e5f11c4f7bf1104fc",
    "rankingPageSha256": "46d903bb5281fc5e081441621cea54d4110af427507f4cda1e9d91f9dad5c450",
    "archiveMethod": "Reconstructed from the final main-branch revision before the end of this Monday–Sunday week. Policy facts, ranking rule, numeric ranks, ties, source links and exclusions are frozen in this file. No new retailer-policy checks were performed when creating this archive."
  },
  "research": {
    "title": "Pearlpedia retailer return-policy research",
    "checkedAt": "2026-10-16",
    "scope": "The 20 retailers previously listed on Pearlpedia's ranking page; U.S.-facing online purchase policies for eligible, ordinary stocked jewelry. This is a selected comparison set, not a census of retailers.",
    "rankingRule": "Within each retailer group, sort verified numeric standard refund windows from largest to smallest. Equal day counts share the same competition rank and are displayed alphabetically. Records without a comparable standard refund window are unranked, not assigned zero. Each retailer's clock and conditions are retained; day counts are not adjusted for shipping time.",
    "excludedMetrics": [
      "Pearl quality",
      "Customer satisfaction",
      "Market share",
      "Organic search visibility",
      "Affiliate compensation",
      "Temporary holiday extensions",
      "Exchange-only periods",
      "Defect-only guarantees"
    ],
    "sourceNote": "Facts are retailer-published statements, not tested return outcomes. Indexed primary-page text was used where direct automated access was limited. Original page snapshots and retrieval records are retained in the editorial audit workspace; this download contains paraphrases and links, not full copies of retailer pages."
  },
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": "general-jewelry",
      "name": "General jewelry retailers",
      "retailers": [
        {
          "slug": "angara",
          "name": "Angara",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "Standard 30-day period; its starting event is not defined in the cited policy text.",
          "terms": "Authorization, original condition, gifts and certificates required. Special-request or externally modified pieces are excluded. Purchases October 16–December 15, 2026 have a stated January 15, 2027 extension, excluded from ranking. Late returns may incur a 20% fee.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Return and exchange policy",
              "url": "https://www.angara.com/b/return-policy",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "blue-nile",
          "name": "Blue Nile",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "Initiate within 30 days of shipment, not delivery.",
          "terms": "Unworn condition, packaging and documents required. Custom, personalized, engraved and final-sale purchases are excluded. Complimentary insured return shipments are limited to two per customer per year.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns policy",
              "url": "https://www.bluenile.com/services/free-returns",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "brilliant-earth",
          "name": "Brilliant Earth",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From when the purchase is available for shipment or pickup.",
          "terms": "Original, unworn condition required. Custom or personalized fine jewelry and several altered-item categories are excluded. Comparative purchasing is prohibited; review the full policy before ordering multiple pieces to compare.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "30-day returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.brilliantearth.com/30-Day-Returns/",
              "accessMethod": "indexed-primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "helzberg-diamonds",
          "name": "Helzberg Diamonds",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From original purchase date.",
          "terms": "The published satisfaction guarantee requires unworn, new merchandise. Confirm product-specific restrictions and the return process with the retailer before ordering.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Jewelry satisfaction guarantee",
              "url": "https://www.helzberg.com/jewelry-guarantee.html",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "jared",
          "name": "Jared",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From shipping date for online purchases.",
          "terms": "Original condition, packaging and paperwork required. Custom designs and certain engraved or modified items are excluded. Online refunds are available; exchanges must be completed in a store.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.jared.com/returns-exchanges",
              "accessMethod": "indexed-primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "kay-jewelers",
          "name": "Kay Jewelers",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From purchase shipment date.",
          "terms": "Jewelry exchanges have a separate 60-day period; that is not the refund window. Original condition and packaging required. Custom designs, ear-piercing earrings and certain modified jewelry are excluded.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.kay.com/kay-returns-exchanges",
              "accessMethod": "indexed-primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "ross-simons",
          "name": "Ross-Simons",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From receipt of the order.",
          "terms": "Eligible merchandise must be unused and in original condition. Shipping and handling are non-refundable. Items damaged, altered or resized by another jeweler are not accepted.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.ross-simons.com/pages/returns-exchanges",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "tiffany-and-co",
          "name": "Tiffany & Co.",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From purchase; U.S. policy.",
          "terms": "Original packaging and saleable condition required. The policy limits refunds to eligible merchandise below $75,000; higher-value purchases are exchange-only. Personalized or altered pieces are excluded. Expired 2025 holiday terms are not used in the ranking.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "U.S. returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.tiffany.com/faq-folder/shipping-returns-faq/what-is-the-tiffany-return-exchange-policy/what-is-the-tiffany-return-exchange-policy.html/",
              "accessMethod": "indexed-primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "zales",
          "name": "Zales",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From purchase/shipment date; online orders use shipment context.",
          "terms": "The separate jewelry exchange period is 60 days. Unworn condition and original packaging required. Custom designs, ear-piercing earrings and other specified merchandise are excluded. Exchanges must be handled in store.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Return and exchange help",
              "url": "https://www.zales.com/customer-service/return-policy",
              "accessMethod": "indexed-primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "james-allen",
          "name": "James Allen",
          "group": "general-jewelry",
          "status": "redirected",
          "returnDays": null,
          "clock": "No independently confirmed current window.",
          "terms": "The former James Allen returns URL redirected to Blue Nile during this audit. The destination's policy is not assigned to James Allen or to historical orders. Retained for continuity with the prior comparison; excluded from numeric ranking.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Former policy URL (redirects)",
              "url": "https://www.jamesallen.com/guarantee/hassle-free-returns/",
              "accessMethod": "redirect-observation"
            },
            {
              "label": "Observed destination",
              "url": "https://www.bluenile.com/services/free-returns?jaRedirect=true",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": null,
          "tied": false
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "pearl-specialist",
      "name": "Pearl specialists",
      "retailers": [
        {
          "slug": "pearls-of-joy",
          "name": "Pearls of Joy",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 100,
          "clock": "Contact the retailer within 100 days of purchase.",
          "terms": "Authorization and original condition/packaging required. Customized items may be excluded. Mounting or stringing loose pearls voids eligibility. Original shipping charges and international return shipping are not covered.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Shipping and returns",
              "url": "https://www.pearlsofjoy.com/pages/shipping-and-returns",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 1,
          "tied": false
        },
        {
          "slug": "pearl-paradise",
          "name": "Pearl Paradise",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 90,
          "clock": "Return must arrive within 90 days of the original order date.",
          "terms": "Original condition required. Customized, final-sale, livestream and special-event items are excluded. International return shipping is the customer's responsibility.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Official return instructions",
              "url": "https://support.pearlparadise.com/en-US/how-do-i-return-an-item-136749",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 2,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "pearlsonly",
          "name": "PearlsOnly",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 90,
          "clock": "From receipt; returned items must be received within the period.",
          "terms": "Purchase price is refundable, excluding shipping. Jewelry showing wear, alteration or damage is excluded. Start the request through the customer's order account and follow the return instructions.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns and exchanges",
              "url": "https://www.pearlsonly.com/Returns-and-Exchange.html",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 2,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "pure-pearls",
          "name": "Pure Pearls",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 90,
          "clock": "From purchase; request authorization within that period.",
          "terms": "As-new condition required. Custom and special orders are excluded. Free return shipping is U.S.-only, with one label per order. Expedited original shipping and certain add-ons are non-refundable.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Returns and conditions",
              "url": "https://www.purepearls.com/pages/returns",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 2,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "the-pearl-source",
          "name": "The Pearl Source",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 60,
          "clock": "Within 60 days of receiving the item.",
          "terms": "A prepaid return label is available for U.S. returns. Excessively worn or damaged jewelry is excluded. Use the retailer's return procedure and have the carrier scan the package.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Return policy",
              "url": "https://www.thepearlsource.com/returns",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 5,
          "tied": false
        },
        {
          "slug": "akwaya-pearl",
          "name": "Akwaya Pearl",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "From receiving the item.",
          "terms": "Prior return authorization, original condition and packaging required. Eligible returns refund the purchase price; original shipping is not refunded. The cited policy recommends tracked, insured return shipping rather than promising a free label.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Return policy",
              "url": "https://www.akwaya.com/pages/return-policy",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 6,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "american-pearl",
          "name": "American Pearl",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 30,
          "clock": "30 days; the cited page does not define the starting event.",
          "terms": "The policy states no restocking fee. Original packaging, gift boxes and accompanying materials are required. Start the retailer's return form; it provides an insured label. The page does not establish that return shipping is free.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "30-day return policy",
              "url": "https://www.americanpearl.com/30dayretpol.html",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 6,
          "tied": true
        },
        {
          "slug": "mikimoto",
          "name": "MIKIMOTO",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 14,
          "clock": "Returned to Client Services within 14 days; the cited page does not define the starting event.",
          "terms": "Applies to jewelry bought through the U.S. website. Authorization, inspection, receipt and original packaging are required. Original shipping, handling and insurance charges are excluded from the refund.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "U.S. shipping and returns",
              "url": "https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/us_en/shipping-and-returns",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 8,
          "tied": false
        },
        {
          "slug": "kojima-pearl",
          "name": "Kojima Pearl",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "verified",
          "returnDays": 7,
          "clock": "From purchase; notify the retailer before shipping within that period.",
          "terms": "Pre-approval and original condition required. Shipping is non-refundable, exchanges are not offered, and custom pieces, including drilled pearls, cannot be returned.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Return and exchange policy",
              "url": "https://kojimapearl.com/pages/return-exchange-policy",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": 9,
          "tied": false
        },
        {
          "slug": "house-of-pearls",
          "name": "House of Pearls",
          "group": "pearl-specialist",
          "status": "defect-only",
          "returnDays": null,
          "clock": "14-day reporting period after delivery for damaged, defective or incorrect items.",
          "terms": "The quality-care policy excludes change-of-mind and other non-quality requests. Resolutions can include repair, replacement, credit or refund depending on the case. This is not treated as a standard 14-day change-of-mind refund entitlement.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "label": "Refund policy",
              "url": "https://houseofpearls.com/policies/refund-policy",
              "accessMethod": "primary-page"
            }
          ],
          "rank": null,
          "tied": false
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}