My Honest Review of Sunlight Jewelry Store: Affordable, But Is the Quality Any Good?
Hello everyone!
I'm writing this review to share my experience with Sunlight, a jewelry store chain that's been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. They've been caught lying multiple times and even announced store closures and product liquidation a few years ago, but somehow they're still going strong. I've actually bought engagement rings and other jewelry from them, and I'll explain why in this review.
Sunlight stores are usually located in shopping malls and specialize in jewelry. They're not a specific brand, but rather a platform selling products from various manufacturers like Sokolov, Delta, and Yakutia Diamonds. You'll find precious metals from all over the world, not just Russia. Essentially, it's a hypermarket for jewelry, a place where partners' products are sold in bulk.
The stores look pretty appealing: bright signage, clean glass displays, and enticing marketing with countless promotions, discounts, and bonuses.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsI have to admit, their marketing tactics really turned me off at first. I'm talking constant spam calls, texts, and emails after making a purchase or ordering through their app. I've since opted out of all their notifications, but it was a real nuisance back in the day. It's like they were trying to be too aggressive and pushy.
On the other hand, I did appreciate the free charms they gave out with purchases at partner stores. I remember getting some for a pair of shoes at Kari, and it was a great way to get people to notice their brand and drive sales. I ended up collecting a bunch of them - beads, keychains, and even some nice little stones. Unfortunately, I lost them all during a move, but it was a clever marketing strategy at the time.
Sunlight Jewelry Store: Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsI've been to my fair share of jewelry stores, but the interior of Sunlight left me underwhelmed. I get that red is their signature color and all, but it's just not a pleasant place to be for more than 10 minutes. The air feels thick and heavy, and I start to feel a bit dizzy.
The store is divided into different zones, and each zone has its own consultant. There's one person for silver jewelry, another for gold and engagement rings, and a third for pieces with colored stones. It really depends on the size of the store, but in my city, there are usually around 4 people working at a time. Plus, they have a pawn shop section, but I've never used their services.
Each consultant only shows you products from their zone, so if multiple people are interested in the same engagement ring, you'll have to wait in line. They won't let anyone else show you the ring, which makes sense, I guess. I mean, these are expensive items, and you don't want just anyone handling them.
Don't know your ring size? They'll help you out and give you some options to try on. They'll also explain the warranty, return policy, and what to do if you encounter any issues with the piece. However, they rarely tell you anything about the actual product itself, which is a shame. They might mention the material and the type of stones used, but that's about it. It's like they're trying to keep some secrets under wraps.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsWhen you're checking out, they always give you a branded bag and wrap the piece in either a box or a case, depending on what you've purchased.
They always include a receipt, which you should keep in case you need to exchange the item or encounter any issues. It's also a good idea to store the tags.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsI received a passport for the gold jewelry pieces or those with precious stones. I have a few of these lying around at home, and they even gave me one for a ring with a fianite stone.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsLet's be real, there are plenty of options. It's not just rings and earrings, but also jewelry watches or religious items. The assortment is wide, so you've got plenty to choose from. I usually go in with a plan, having picked out what I want on the website and then head to the store to check it out in person and pay.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsIf I had to break it down into categories, you've got:
Rings. They come in all shapes and sizes: engagement, everyday, wedding, with stones and without, for men and women, and more.EarringsPendants, drops. Honestly, these are the ones that always catch my eye and occasionally they'll offer a discount to get one
Jewelry at Sunlight Store: Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsBraceletsChains and PendantsWatchesReligious Items and MoreI was blown away by the affordability of this store. It's honestly the most budget-friendly jewelry store in our city. When I was looking for engagement rings, I found the lowest starting price here - a whopping 13,000 rubles for a pair!
Jewelry at Sunlight Store: Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsI didn't go for the most expensive options, but I was still happy to find some decent choices within our budget. We didn't plan to splurge, since we might gain a bit of weight by the time our anniversary rolls around. Plus, it's always a good excuse to upgrade our jewelry.
What I love about this store is that they have something for everyone - from the most budget-friendly options to outrageously expensive ones. To put it into perspective, the most expensive ring I saw here was almost 7 million rubles. I mean, what's the deal with that price tag? It's just a single stone and white gold!
I won't be able to show you all my jewelry, since some of the earrings are MIA (I lost them), some of the rings have lost their sparkle, and I have no idea where some of the other items are. I'll just show you a few of my recent purchases.
Okay, so the engagement ring.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, Review Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, ReviewIt's got zirconias, and it even came with a certificate. It's pretty budget-friendly, and it's light, so I don't have super high expectations for it. When I first put it on the day I got it, it looked like this:
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, Review Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, ReviewIt's shiny, it's sparkling, it's beautiful, it's neat. I also want to talk about the quality. After more than a year of daily wear (I haven't taken it off even once, not even to sleep) it looks like this:
Sunlight Jewelry Store: A Solid Choice for Engagement RingsI've got to say, the ring still looks pretty good despite some wear and tear. The stones are still in place, and there are no deep scratches – just some minor scuffs. Considering the price, it's a great value for money.
We opted for affordable engagement rings, paying around 30,000 rubles for a pair. The weight was also relatively light, which made me wonder about its durability.
Sunlight Jewelry Store: A Solid Choice for Engagement Rings Sunlight Jewelry Store: A Solid Choice for Engagement Rings Sunlight Jewelry Store: A Solid Choice for Engagement RingsI have to ask, what's up with the customer support? They didn't bother to mention the potential issues with the ring's weight considering its width. It's pretty basic stuff.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and Reviews Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsHere's the thing - the lightweight design and wide profile suggest the material's been stretched almost to the thickness of foil, and it's hollow inside. That's not something you'd want to get scratched or bent, let alone creased. The average consumer, who's not exactly a jewelry expert, won't even notice these subtleties. And that's exactly what the manufacturer's counting on. Once you start seeing signs of deformation, you'll likely return it, claiming it's a defect - but they'll deny it, since there's no actual fault. The weight's right, the material's listed correctly, and the test's been done. The seller's legit.
Sunlight Jewelry Store: Photos, Quality, Prices, and ReviewsI've noticed that consultants often know about these subtleties, but they don't warn customers, or else the number of buyers would drop. Yeah, some people will still buy it because of its attractive appearance and low price, but those looking for quality will be turned off right away. It's done on purpose. I knew about this, so I wasn't surprised, but I think I should have been notified. Many people naively think that these jewelry pieces are durable, but they're not.
Most of these pieces are like that. If you calculate their actual cost rather than just looking at their appearance, you'll see that the prices aren't low – they're actually overpriced. Compared to other stores, there's an illusion of affordability, but when you compare features, you end up paying more at Sunlight.
It's common for this store to pass off tiny stones as diamonds.
So, the quality issue isn't fully resolved yet. Apart from the fact that many pieces are hollow, the coating leaves a lot to be desired. I made the mistake of buying white gold with a thin layer on top, which quickly deteriorated. This layer wears off faster than a year.
I bought silver with fianites here. At this point, I don't have any complaints. Yes, it tarnishes, but any silver does. Some pieces are over 6-7 years old, and the stones are still in place, with a decent appearance.
I've also picked up some silver chains to match these pendants. They're available in different lengths and weaves. They've darkened a bit, but overall they still look okay. If you want to clean them, you can, but I'm not really up for it. I've had these silver chains for a while now, and they're still holding up pretty well. The quality is decent, and the prices are reasonable. I've been happy with my purchases from Sunlight so far.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, ReviewI've got to say, one of the downsides for me is the sizing range. If you've got fingers that are 15 sizes or smaller, you often have to wait for the item to arrive because it's only available for special order. In stock, it's usually 15.5 and up. That's a real hassle when you're looking for a last-minute engagement ring and don't have time to wait.
After making a purchase through the app, you earn rewards that can be used to pay for part of the item's cost. Alternatively, you might get a card with a unique number and QR code. The number of points you earn depends on the item you buy.
Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, Review Sunlight Store: Jewelry, Photos, Quality, Prices, ReviewYou also get some kind of bonus for registering. You can use promo codes and so on.
There's a catch, though - many of these discounts don't stack with the item's price because a lot of them already have a yellow tag or a 'Hit' label. They're not applicable to all product groups, and the item has to be white.
But if I'm being honest, there are these regular promotions where you can get the second item at 50% off, but it's not like it's a huge deal. The yellow prices might not even get you a 50% discount, and if the original discount was 30%, you'll only get an extra 20% off. And let's be real, most of the time these sales are just a bunch of hype.
The prices might seem low, but if you do the math and consider the quality, they're actually pretty overpriced. The consultants often gloss over the important details and flaws of the product. If you're looking for high-quality items, be prepared to pay a premium – you get what you pay for. And don't even get me started on the constant calls and emails, it's like they're trying to wear you down with aggressive marketing.
That being said, I do occasionally buy stuff from these stores and I have to admit, they're not all bad. You just need to keep your wits about you. One thing I would recommend is ordering through the website with caution, as the information often doesn't match what's listed. For example, I ordered a men's wedding band and the listed weight was different from the actual weight. They ended up giving me a refund for the difference, which was nice, but it's just something to be aware of.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review!
★ HOW MUCH I EARN ON IRecommend ★