Introduction
Frank Darling is an online jewelry company offering handcrafted engagement rings and wedding bands. Founded in 2017, their goal is to provide high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds to couples looking to take the next step while skipping the stuffy showroom experience.
Here is a quick overview of Frank Darling‘s pros and cons before diving into the details:
Pros
- Wide selection of classic yet unique ring designs
- Lab-grown and natural diamonds offered
- Ethical and sustainable practices
- Custom design service available
- Reasonable prices compared to retail jewelers
Cons
- Limited brand awareness and reviews available
- Fewer customization options than some competitors
- No physical showrooms
Frank Darling caters to couples looking for an affordable yet sentimental ring buying experience. Their classic style and focus on ethics make them a great fit for minimalist, eco-conscious shoppers not needing to splurge on a huge rock.
Now let‘s take a deeper look at 12 of Frank Darling‘s best selling rings.
In-Depth Review of 12 Top Frank Darling Rings
Frank Darling offers a variety of elegant solitaire and multi-stone ring designs. Here are details on some of their most popular styles.
Sydney No. 2
The Sydney No. 2 features an oval-shaped solitaire in an feminine floral inspired setting. Its slender curved band gives it an airy, delicate look. With custom engraving available, it‘s a wonderful choice for romantic, nature-loving personalities.
Customization: Yellow/white/rose gold, various solitaire sizes
Price: $850
Good fit for: Whimsical tastes, flower motifs
Pair with: Diamond bracelet, nature-inspired earrings
Sydney No. 3
Reminiscent of a ring fit for Hollywood royalty, the Sydeny No. 3 has an elegant oval solitaire in a minimalist setting with sleek shoulders. The white gold version evokes thoughts of Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn.
Customization: Gold type and solitaire size
Price: $850
Good fit for: Classic style, vintage charm
Pair with: Pearl necklace and earrings, silk scarf
Harper No. 1
The Harper No. 1 solitaire has an eye-catching skinny round diamond hugged by a petal-shaped setting. With its sweet floral hints, it‘s gives off cute, playful personality.
Customization: Gold type
Price: $850
Good fit for: Feminine style, petal/flower motif
Pair with: Diamond tennis bracelet, floral stud earrings
Harper No. 2
Channel 1960s chic with the Harper No. 2 oval solitaire ring. The bezel-set stone gives a glamorous nod to Hollywood starlets in a setting perfect for stacking with a wedding band.
Customization: Gold type, engraving
Price: $850
Good fit for: Retro style, bezel setting fans
Pair with: Two-tone bracelet, geometric earrings
Harper No. 6
Make a bold statement with the Harper No. 6‘s trilogy of emerald-cut stones set east-west. The art deco flair of rectangular stones gives this ring loads of presence for the glam girl.
Customization: Gold type, natural or lab diamond
Price: $2,690
Good fit for: Glamorous and artsy tastes
Pair with: Modern drop earrings, arm full of bracelets
Mason No. 3
Dare to be different with the Mason No. 3‘s round solitaire encircled by a unique freeform gold rim. Quirky yet elegant, this halo-style ring is one-of-a-kind.
Customization: Gold type
Price: $1,090
Good fit for: Distinctive style, Lord of the Rings fan
Pair with: Whimsical nature earrings, moonstone right hand ring
Mason No. 11
Put a spotlight on a jaw-dropping round diamond with the Mason No. 11‘s four-prong setting. Clean and strikingly simple, this timeless solitaire is a stunner.
Customization: Gold type, diamond details
Price: $1,290
Good fit for: Traditional style, solitaire lover
Pair with: Diamond huggie earrings, stackable bands
Parker No. 5
Channel art deco style with the emerald cut solitaire and geometric setting of the Parker No. 5. This glamorous ring bridges vintage and modern for the fashionable bride-to-be.
Customization: Gold type, diamond details
Price: $920
Good fit for: Art deco style, glitz and glam
Pair with: Tennis bracelet, crystal drop earrings
Billie No. 5
A sweet rose cut solitaire glows within a halo engraved frame in the Billie No. 5. Its vintage vibe carries old-soul sophistication perfect for romantics.
Customization: Gold type, diamond details
Price: $920
Good fit for: Vintage lover, stacked ring fan
Pair with: Pearl bracelet and earrings, simple gold bands
When choosing between natural and lab-created diamonds from Frank Darling, it‘s helpful to understand the differences. Their lab diamonds have identical physical and chemical makeups to mined diamonds, with comparable brilliance and durability. The main differences come down to origin, price, and sentimental value.
While mined diamonds carry tradition and romance, Frank Darling‘s lab diamonds offer an ethical, affordable alternative. Their lab diamonds also come with grading reports from IGI and GCAL, ensuring quality standards are met. Overall, Frank Darling uses beyond conflict-free, sustainable practices for all their diamonds to give couples peace of mind with their purchase.
Comparisons
How does Frank Darling compare to other popular online jewelry brands when it comes to price, quality and style? Here is a breakdown:
Price: Frank Darling offers competitive pricing 20-30% under traditional retailers. They are more affordable than top designer brands like Tiffany‘s or Cartier. They are slightly higher than ultra-budget retailers like James Allen and Blue Nile.
Quality: Frank Darling uses high-quality materials including 100% recycled solid gold and gem-quality diamonds. Their lab diamonds specifically have prime cut, clarity and color grades that meet industry standards. Quality appears comparable to Blue Nile but just under bespoke designers.
Style: With their selection of solitaires and unique multi-stone designs, Frank Darling provides more styling variety than James Allen and Blue Nile. Their aesthetic aligns more with traditional tastes than modern brands like Shane Co. or Brilliant Earth. They offer less total customization ability but specialize in customized engraving and diamond pairings.
For an in-depth exploration of lab-grown vs. mined diamonds, check out this comparison:
Price – Lab diamonds are around 30% less than mined diamonds of equivalent size and quality grade. They offer significant savings with a near-identical look.
Ethics – Lab diamonds are graded by the same gemological institutes as mined diamonds to ensure quality standards. Their manufacturing process has less environmental impact than diamond mining.
Appearance – When optimally cut, lab diamonds are optically identical to mined diamonds, with the same brilliance and fire. Only a gemologist could tell the difference.
Resale Value – Mined diamonds generally have better resale value and are seen as a "hard asset." However, lab diamond resale markets are growing.
Sentiment – Some prefer diamonds formed over billions of years underground rather than a lab. However, synthetic diamond technology has been around since the 1950s.
Overall, lab diamonds offer comparable beauty to their mined counterparts with added cost savings and ethics. While resale value differs, they make engagement rings more accessible for modern couples.
Frank Darling Reviews: What Do Customers Say?
Unfortunately Frank Darling does not have a strong online presence or many customer reviews available yet. From the limited comments on Reddit and Google reviews, feedback seems overwhelmingly positive.
Happy customers praise Frank Darling‘s quality of materials and craftsmanship, easy online experience, and timely customization process. Many mention being impressed by the diamond quality grading reports included with their purchases.
One Reddit user shares:
"I tried the at home try on kit first, which was great during the age of Covid. I picked it out and my fiancée ordered it and had a very smooth and easy process."
While too few reviews exist to identify any weak spots, the overall sentiment aligns with Frank Darling‘s goals of providing personalized, premium-quality rings.
As their brand awareness grows, we hope to see more customer perspectives shared to understand the Frank Darling experience. For now, available testimonials seem extremely favorable.
Recommendations for Frank Darling Shoppers
Based on Frank Darling‘s selection, here are my top tips for soon-to-be customers:
Best Rings Under $1,000 – For shoppers on a tight budget, Frank Darling‘s solitaires like the Sydney No. 2, Sydney No. 3 and Harper No. 1 offer beautiful style under $1,000.
Best Pairs for Frank Darling Rings – Dainty pieces like huggie earrings, mixed metal bracelets, and pearls complement these rings nicely without overpowering.
Perfect Proposal Pairing – For proposing, opt for the Mason No. 11 or Harper No. 1‘s classic solitaires. Keep accessories simple, and let the diamond shine.
Overall Frank Darling offers premium bridal sets and excellent lab diamonds for couples wanting an ethical, personalized experience on a reasonable budget. Their classic solitaires suit traditional tastes beautifully while still carrying unique charm.
Promotions & Discounts
Frank Darling currently has no active sales or discounts available. As a relatively new brand, they likely want to focus first on building awareness and establishing their pricing reputation.
We recommend signing up for their email newsletter to stay updated on any future promotions. Activating email notifications also gives customers early access to new arrivals and inventory restocks of bestsellers.
In addition, Frank Darling offers 0% financing through Affirm to split purchases into 3, 6 or 12 month payment plans at checkout. This effectively acts as another way to save on purchases over $1000.
Where To Buy Frank Darling
Frank Darling rings are available on their website frankdarling.com, with headquarters located in Brooklyn, New York. To inquire about or customize pieces, customers can contact their concierge service available every day 9AM-9PM EST at (646) 859-0718 or [email protected].
Virtual appointments to view pieces can also be scheduled online. At this time Frank Darling does not have any showroom locations, so online purchasing is the only option.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Frank Darling:
Where is Frank Darling jewelry made?
All Frank Darling pieces are designed and crafted in New York City.
What are Frank Darling‘s shipping and return policies?
US orders over $1000 qualify for complimentary Next Day shipping. Free returns are allowed within 30 days in the US and internationally.
How long does the custom design process take?
Frank Darling estimates a 3-4 week turnaround from final sketch approval to completion. Clients work 1-on-1 with their design team during this process.
What is Frank Darling‘s price range?
Their collection ranges from $500 – $3,500+ depending on stones and metals chosen. Solitaires start around $800.
What type of metals and stones are available?
Frank Darling offers 14K and 18K yellow, white and rose gold. They use colorless, near-colorless natural and lab diamonds.
Conclusion: Are Frank Darling Rings Worth It?
Overall Frank Darling delivers well-made, eye-catching bridal sets with a focus on customization and ethics. Their unique spin on classic solitaires and vintage-inspired silhouettes appeal to feminine, romantic tastes.
While light on consumer feedback, initial customer response indicates satisfaction with Frank Darling‘s quality craftsmanship and service. Their accessible prices coupled with lab diamonds and recycled metals appeal to eco-conscious couples.
For personalized engagement rings with timeless style, Frank Darling is absolutely worth considering. We recommend checking them out if seeking a customized bridal experience from the comfort of home. They take pride in handcrafting one-of-a-kind rings celebrating relationships built to last.
