A New Milestone: Rare Carat Named to Forbes’ America’s Best Startup Employers 2026

A look at the growth, team expansion, and progress behind the recognition

Summary

Rare Carat has been named to Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers 2026 list.
The recognition highlights the company's growth and positive work environment, selected from over 20,000 eligible companies.
This milestone comes as Rare Carat marks ten years in business with a team of over 200 employees.
Key offerings include 1,700+ ring styles, free gemologist guidance, and customer-friendly policies like free shipping and 30-day returns.
The company remains focused on quality, trust, and improving the diamond-buying experience.

We’re excited to share that we’ve been included in the Forbes America’s Best Startup Employers 2026 list. This list features companies in America that have shown exceptional growth and have a positive work environment.

Forbes, in partnership with Statista, has compiled this list. Out of the 20,000 eligible companies, only 500 companies made it to the final list. The selection is based on the analysis of over 7 million data points.

This also comes at a fitting time. We recently crossed ten years since founding, and today our team has grown to more than 200 employees. A lot has changed over the years, but the focus has remained consistent—building trust and making the diamond buying experience easier.

You can view our full Forbes profile here.

A Few Things That Shaped Our Growth

One of the biggest shifts for us came in 2021, when we transitioned to becoming a full retailer and merchant of record on all orders. That change allowed us to manage the full experience more closely—from product quality to customer support.

Since then, we have continued to build our offerings and enhance our overall experience. Today, customers can browse a variety of engagement rings and fine jewelry, as well as receive free guidance from GIA-trained gemologists when needed.

Screenshot of Rare Carat's homepage, with the text "The smarter way to buy diamonds" in large font

Some of the things that continue to define our approach:

1,700+ ring styles and 2,500+ fine jewelry designs
100% Money Back Guarantee
Free insured shipping
Free 30-Day Returns—no shipping or restocking fees
Customer support from start to finish

Looking Ahead

For the past two consecutive years, we’ve also been America’s top-rated jeweler on Trustpilot. Being named to Forbes’ America’s Best Startup Employers 2026 adds another milestone to that progress.

As we continue to grow, the goal remains the same—focus on quality, maintain customer trust, and keep improving the experience step by step.

We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful to the team that made this possible.

Forbes Recognition FAQs

What makes this recognition meaningful for Rare Carat?

This recognition reflects our growth over the past decade, our expanding team, and continued focus on improving the diamond-buying experience.

How large is the Rare Carat team today?

Rare Carat has grown to more than 200 employees since its founding, marking steady growth over the past ten years.

What changed for Rare Carat in recent years?

In 2021, we transitioned to becoming a full retailer and merchant of record, allowing closer oversight of product quality and customer experience.

Has Rare Carat received other recent recognitions?

Yes. Rare Carat has also been ranked as America’s top-rated jeweler on Trustpilot for two consecutive years.

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Rare Carat

Rare Carat is an online diamond jeweler that helps customers compare and purchase certified natural and lab-grown diamonds with transparent pricing. Buyers can explore one of the largest selections of diamonds online, choose from thousands of settings to custom-build engagement rings, and shop fine jewelry with guidance from GIA-trained gemologists.