Quince will have customers as long as there are people who appreciate affordable fine jewelry. I'm referring to those who mostly wear simple hoops and chains, and prioritize durability over decadence. But of all the Quince pieces we've tested, nothing is as personal as its engagement rings.
Quince's lowest-priced diamond engagement ring is only $1,000, which begs a few questions: How could a diamond ring cost that little? Have we finally thrown the "three months salary" rule out the window? Is it a good idea to buy an engagement ring online? After all, it stands to become a family heirloom.
To find out, I took a closer look at a 3-Carat Lab-Grown Diamond Emerald Comfort Fit Engagement Ring to see what $3,600 looks like in one sparkling little package.
The ring has a simple gold band with an elegant diamond centerpiece.
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When I first put it on, I was immediately taken with how beautifully reflective the diamond looks in direct sunlight. I also love its elongated shape, which is reportedly a trend in engagement rings this year. However, I was surprised at how big 3 carats looks on my hand — so big that it makes my other jewelry seem disproportionately small. I figure the right engagement ring should complement my other pieces, not eclipse them, so I'd rather size down to a 2 carat oval diamond.
I also didn't get its band fitted before trying it on, so it was too loose on me. Before you decide on a style, it's important to use a ring sizer to get the closest fit. You may still need it professionally resized because your finger can be between whole and half sizes.
Diamonds like these are graded on their "4C's:" cut, carat, color, and clarity. This particular emerald cut lab-grown 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 mined 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 mined 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.
Mined diamonds can be called "blood diamonds" or "natural diamonds," depending on your search's intent. Quince calls their mined diamond rings "ethically made," so I asked its jewelry lead in an email about the origins of these controversial gemstones. 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 its mined 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 any 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.