Return policy comparison · 2026
Charles & Colvard vs LAGOS
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 by the Thrifle team
Charles & Colvard
C+
2.4 / 5.0 · Fair
Winner
LAGOS
A-
4.0 / 5.0 · Very Good
The verdict
LAGOS has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Charles & Colvard's C+ (2.4/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free returns (incl. by mail) versus customer pays return shipping.
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
Charles & ColvardLAGOS
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| Charles & Colvard | LAGOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 30 days (from shipment date) | ✓ 90 days from invoice date (unworn jewelry) |
| Free returns | No - customer pays return shipping | ✓ Yes (US orders over $100) |
| Restocking fee | None published, but a $50 fee applies if returning moissanite without its warranty card, and a $150 fee applies if returning lab-grown diamonds without certification | None |
| Return shipping | Customer is responsible for return shipping costs. | Free (complimentary prepaid label) for US orders over $100, excluding US territories; smaller orders ship via UPS with the provided return process |
| Holiday extension | None published | None published |
| Non-returnable | Items outside the 30-day window, intentionally altered or damaged products, personalized or engraved jewelry (final sale), custom-designed jewelry (final sale), Exotic Collection items with damaged or removed tags | Engraved or custom items, purchases made through Meta (Facebook/Instagram) checkout are ineligible for exchange |
| Watch-out items | — | — |
Charles & Colvard tip
Don't lose the warranty card or certification paperwork that ships with the stone - sending it back without that documentation costs you $50 to $150 out of your refund even on an otherwise eligible return.
LAGOS tip
Bought through an Instagram or Facebook checkout link? Those orders can't be exchanged with LAGOS directly — stick to lagos.com if you think you might want to swap sizes or styles later.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, Charles & Colvard or LAGOS?
LAGOS has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Charles & Colvard's C+ (2.4/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free returns (incl. by mail) versus customer pays return shipping.
What is Charles & Colvard's return window?
Charles & Colvard's return window is 30 days (from shipment date).
What is LAGOS's return window?
LAGOS's return window is 90 days from invoice date (unworn jewelry).
Does Charles & Colvard or LAGOS offer free returns?
Charles & Colvard: No - customer pays return shipping. LAGOS: Yes (US orders over $100).