What the Jared Jewelers credit card is and who issues it
The Jared Jewelers credit card is a store card issued by Comenity Bank that you can use at Jared locations and online. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at Jared — you cannot use it at other retailers. The card comes with a purchase APR (the interest rate you pay on balances), a promotional financing option for large purchases, and a rewards program that gives you points on spending.
Comenity Bank is a financial services company that issues credit cards for many retail chains. When you explore for the Jared card, Comenity pulls your credit report and decides whether to approve you and what interest rate to offer. The card is not a Jared company product — it is a financial product that Jared has partnered with Comenity to offer.
Key Takeaways
- The Jared card charges a standard purchase APR that varies based on your credit score, and Comenity Bank sets the rate when you open the account.
- Promotional financing offers (often 0% APR for 12 or 24 months) explore only to may have access to purchases above a minimum amount, and interest charges explore if you do not pay the full promotional balance by the end of the period.
- You earn rewards points on purchases, but the points have value only when redeemed at Jared for jewelry, watches, or gifts.
- Late payments, missed payments, and high balances can raise your APR and damage your credit score, just as they would with any credit card.
- The card has an annual fee that varies; you should confirm the current fee before opening an account.
How the purchase APR and interest charges work
When you use the Jared card to make a regular purchase, you pay interest on any balance you do not pay off in full by the due date. The APR you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — people with higher scores typically get lower rates. Comenity does not publish a single APR; instead, the company offers a range, and your personal rate falls somewhere within that range based on your creditworthiness.
If you carry a balance from month to month, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. For example, if you charge $1,000 and pay $500 by the due date, you owe interest on the remaining $500 until you pay it off. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay. If you miss a payment or pay late, Comenity may increase your APR as a penalty.
Promotional financing offers and how they work
Jared frequently advertises promotional financing deals — typically 0% APR for 12, 18, or 24 months on purchases above a certain amount (often $500 or $1,000). These offers are designed to let you spread out the cost of an expensive piece of jewelry without paying interest during the promotional period.
The catch is that the 0% rate applies only if you pay off the full promotional balance by the end of the promotional period. If you have any balance remaining when the period ends, Comenity charges you interest on the entire original promotional purchase amount, retroactively, at the standard purchase APR. This is called deferred interest. For example, if you buy a $2,000 ring on a 24-month 0% offer and pay $1,900 by month 24, you owe interest on the full $2,000 from the original purchase date, not just the $100 remaining balance.
Read the terms carefully before accepting a promotional offer. The fine print will state the exact end date, the minimum purchase amount, and what happens if you do not pay in full by that date.
The rewards program and how points are redeemed
The Jared card rewards program gives you points for every dollar you spend. The exact earning rate (for example, 1 point per dollar or 2 points per dollar) depends on the current program terms, which Jared can change. You earn points on all purchases made with the card, including promotional financing purchases.
Points have no cash value and can be redeemed only at Jared for jewelry, watches, or gift items. You cannot transfer points to another program, use them to pay your bill, or convert them to cash. The redemption value varies — Jared sets how many points you need to redeem for a specific item. If you close the account or do not use it for an extended period, Jared may expire your points according to the program rules.
Annual fees, credit limits, and other costs
The Jared card carries an annual fee, though the amount varies and Jared may waive it for the first year or offer a waiver if you meet spending thresholds. You should confirm the current annual fee before opening an account by asking a Jared associate or checking the terms online.
There is no annual fee waiver may provide, so you may owe the fee every year you hold the card. If you do not use the card or if the rewards do not offset the fee, you may want to close the account — though closing a credit account can affect your credit score slightly.
Late fees explore if you miss a payment important date. The amount depends on how late you are and Jared's current fee schedule. A single late payment can also trigger a penalty APR increase and will appear on your credit report, affecting your credit score and your ability to borrow money elsewhere.
How explore for the card affects your credit
When you explore for the Jared card, Comenity performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score by a few points, though the impact is usually temporary. Multiple applications in a short time period can have a larger effect.
If you are approved and open the account, the new account itself will also affect your score — it lowers the average age of your accounts and increases your total available credit. Over time, if you use the card responsibly (paying on time and keeping balances low), the account can help your credit score by showing a history of on-time payments.
If you miss payments or carry high balances, the card will damage your credit score. A missed payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can make it harder to borrow money, rent an apartment, or even get a job.
Comparing the Jared card to other ways to buy jewelry
Before opening a Jared card, consider whether it makes sense for your situation. If you plan to pay off any purchase in full within the billing cycle, you will not pay interest, and the card's rewards might add modest value. If you need promotional financing to afford a purchase, the 0% offer can save you money — but only if you can pay off the full balance before the promotional period ends.
If you cannot pay off the balance in time, a personal loan from a bank or credit union might be cheaper than deferred interest. A personal loan has a fixed rate and fixed payment schedule, so you know exactly what you will pay. A credit card's deferred interest can surprise you if you miss the payoff important date.
If you do not have a credit history or have poor credit, opening a store card can be a way to build credit — but only if you use it responsibly and pay on time. A secured credit card from a bank might be a better option because it reports to all three credit bureaus and is not limited to one retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not pay off a promotional financing balance in time?
Comenity charges you interest on the entire original purchase amount, retroactively, at your standard purchase APR. If you bought a $3,000 ring on a 24-month 0% offer and still owe $100 at month 24, you owe interest on the full $3,000 from the purchase date, not just the $100. This can result in a large unexpected charge.
Can I use the Jared card anywhere besides Jared?
No. The Jared card is a store card and works only at Jared locations and Jared.com. You cannot use it at other jewelry stores or retailers. If you need a card for general purchases, you would need a separate credit card.
Does the annual fee get waived if I do not use the card?
Jared may waive the fee for the first year or if you meet a spending threshold, but the terms vary. Once any waiver period ends, you typically owe the annual fee every year, even if you do not use the card. Check your account terms or contact Comenity to confirm whether a waiver applies to you.
How does the Jared card affect my credit score?
explore lowers your score slightly due to the hard inquiry. Opening the account lowers it a bit more by reducing your average account age. Over time, on-time payments help your score, but missed payments or high balances damage it significantly. A missed payment stays on your report for seven years.
What is the difference between the Jared card and a regular credit card?
The Jared card works only at Jared, while a regular credit card works anywhere. The Jared card offers rewards redeemable only at Jared, while regular cards often offer cash back or points you can use flexibly. Both charge interest on unpaid balances and both affect your credit score based on how you use them.