I tried an engagement ring from Quince, the popular direct-to-consumer brand. The center diamond is beautiful and the simple band is easy to stack.
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Direct-to-consumer brands like Quince have found an audience in people with high standards for quality and measured budgets. With some of our favorite affordable cashmere and washable silk, it's known to us as the brand making luxury materials more accessible. The latest example of this is a new engagement ring collection, found among its spread of affordable fine jewelry.
The ring has a simple gold band with an elegant diamond centerpiece.
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I put this on and was immediately taken with how reflective this ring becomes in direct sunlight. I was also surprised at how big 3 carats looks on my hand — if you or you and your partner want something subtle, I'd size down to 2 carat round diamond. I didn't have this ring fitted so it was too loose on me, but before you decide on a style, it's important to use a ring sizer to get the closest fit. You may still need it resized because your finger can be between whole and half sizes.
This particular emerald cut diamond weighs 3.05 carats, has a color grade of F, and a clarity of VS 1. F Color diamonds are the most affordable grade of colorless diamonds. VS 1 diamonds have minor internal defects, also called "inclusions," but I couldn't see these at all. You'd likely only detect them under 10x magnification.
The setting is a four-pronged platinum head.
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The prong setting is the most classic trend in engagement rings. Four prongs is a secure amount for a small diamond and is able to sit flush with a wedding band, but for weightier carats, six prongs is safer. This is another reason I'd recommend sizing down in carats if you plan to buy an engagement ring from Quince.
Quince offers both lab grown and mine diamonds.
Each lab grown ring comes with a pamphlet with a report on the cut, clarity, color, and carat of the diamond.
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Lab grown diamonds have less of an environmental impact and are both chemically and visually indistinguishable from mine diamonds under a jeweler's loop. No one will be able to tell the difference, unless you present them with the IGI Lab Grown Diamond Report that comes with each Quince lab grown ring. This lists the diamond's growth using a process called Chemical Vapor Deposition, as well as stats like its measurements and weight.
Mine diamonds can be called "blood diamonds" or "natural diamonds," depending on your search's intent. Quince calls their mine diamond rings "ethically made," so I asked its jewelry lead in an email about the origins of their mine diamonds. A company spokesperson replied that these diamonds are not from the Mbada and Marange regions of Zimbabwe, but originated in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Canada.
When I asked for a guarantee that these diamonds are conflict-free, the spokesperson shared that the Responsible Jewellery Council member Quince partners with confirms adherence to the World Diamond Council's Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The KPCS is meant to increase transparency in the diamond trade, though you won't find much specific information on the Quince website if you want to learn more about how this is implemented.
The bottom line
A Quince diamond engagement ring is most worth it for those who prefer something lab grown with a small carat and a simple design.
I advise that you be prepared to take it to a jeweler, because there may be slight fitting issues that you won't discover until it's on your finger. Also, be wary of having it dropped off at your doorstep, because Quince doesn't use a special delivery system despite the value of what you ordered.
Otherwise, I believe even a trained eye can appreciate the beauty of a Quince engagement ring, and budget-savvy couples everywhere can appreciate its price tag.
