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Brides / Kevin Liang
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but they can also be your bank account's worst enemy. If you're shopping for an affordable engagement ring, you may have to think a bit more outside the box. Bigger carat sizes, flawless clarity, and unique settings all hike up an engagement ring's price, making your dream ring a very serious investment. Although financing a ring is almost always an option, some couples prefer to choose something more affordable instead.
"The traditional convention that many people hold to is to spend the equivalent of three months salary," says jewelry expert Kim Kanary, the senior vice president of marketing and brand management at JTV. "However, conventions are constantly changing, so prioritize a budget within your comfort level." Finding a ring that offers the most bang for your buck has never been easier. With the help of two jewelry experts, we found the best affordable rings—all under $1,500—that don't compromise on style or quality.
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It's safe to say that this piece is bound to stand the test of time. This timeless diamond solitaire is available in round, oval, pear, marquise, and heart shapes, and in platinum, yellow, white, and rose gold. You can choose between a natural or lab-grown diamond in a six-prong setting.
Metals: Platinum, 18k yellow or white gold, 14k rose gold | Stone Type: Natural or lab-created diamond | Stone Shape: Round, oval, pear, marquise, heart | Stone Size: 0.33-2 carat
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Delicate yet striking, this marquise-cut stone shines brightly in the center of a platinum band half-embellished by petite micropavé diamonds. This ring can be made with a natural or lab-created diamond and is available in other stone shapes including round, princess, emerald, Asscher, cushion, radiant, oval, pear, and heart. Plus, this solitaire's shape is bound to elongate your finger, making for an ultra-flattering look.
Metals: Platinum, 18k white or yellow gold, 14k rose gold | Stone Type: Natural or lab-created diamond | Stone Shape: Round, princess, emerald, Asscher, cushion, marquise, radiant, oval, pear, heart | Stone Size: 0.10 carat
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This showstopping ring features a center solitaire in a round, princess, cushion, emerald, Asscher, marquise, oval, radiant, pear, or heart shape surrounded by 14 alternating round diamonds and blue sapphires. Set this stunning ring in your choice of platinum, palladium, 14k or 18k white, rose, or yellow gold.
Metals: Platinum; palladium; 18k or 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Natural diamonds and blue sapphires | Stone Shape: Round, princess, cushion, emerald, Asscher, marquise, oval, radiant, pear, or heart with round diamonds and sapphires | Stone Size: 0.11 carat
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This piece maximizes its sparkle and creates the allure of a shimmering diamond band with round and marquise-shaped diamonds surrounding a center stone. Customize this ring with your selection of natural or lab-created diamonds in a range of sizes. You can also select a round, oval, cushion, pear, princess, emerald, marquise, Asscher, or radiant stone for your center gem, and set this beauty in platinum, white, yellow, or rose gold.
Metals: Platinum, 18k white or yellow gold, 14k rose gold | Stone Type: Natural or lab-created diamond | Stone Shape: Round, oval, cushion, pear, princess, emerald, marquise, Asscher, radiant | Stone Size: 0.33-2 carat
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A baguette-shaped peach morganite center stone sits pretty on a pavé-set customizable band in this ring from Capucinne. Three round white diamonds line each side of the elongated stone. Options include a platinum, yellow, white, or rose gold band. You can even select different side stones if you wish. While it may be dainty, this piece truly makes a statement.
Metals: Platinum; 18k or 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Morganite | Stone Shape: Baguette | Stone Size: 8x4 mm
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For a classic look with a twist, consider a cushion-cut center stone on a 14k white gold band with a split shank setting lined with smaller diamonds. You can purchase this lab-grown diamond in a variety of shapes and metals, including round, oval, cushion, pear, and emerald, along with 14k white gold, 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, and platinum.
Metals: 14k white, yellow, or rose gold; platinum | Stone Type: Lab grown | Stone Shape: Round, oval, cushion, pear, emerald | Stone Size: 1-3.3 carat
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A simple platinum band lets the center of attention be on all of that irresistible shimmer. This petite solitaire from Blue Nile is just oh-so-perfect. Choose from a natural or lab-created diamond and select your dream diamond shape: round, princess, Asscher, cushion, marquise, radiant, oval, pear, or heart. You can have your stone set in platinum, yellow, white, or rose gold.
Metals: Platinum; 18k yellow gold; 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Natural or lab-created diamond | Stone Shape: Round, princess, emerald, Asscher, cushion, marquise, radiant, oval, pear, heart | Stone Size: 0.25-4 carat
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This price tag has us doing a double take, and we're definitely not complaining. Featuring a round clear cubic zirconia stone set in a crown-shaped claw setting, this ring gives you the look of a classic diamond for a price you simply can’t beat. You have a choice of a 14k gold-plated metal or sterling silver band. For added sparkle, small cubic zirconia stones adorn the ring shank.
Metals: 14k gold-plated, sterling silver | Stone Type: Cubic zirconia | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: N/A
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Hello, sparkle! To keep within the $1,500 budget, we're opting for this pavé-set diamond band in rose gold featuring an oval-cut center stone. Or, if you prefer, you can choose an emerald, pear, or princess-shaped natural diamond at a higher price point. The ring comes in yellow, white, or rose gold. The best part is that incredible double halo.
Metals: 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Natural diamond | Stone Shape: Oval, emerald, pear, princess | Stone Size: 0.5-1.5 carat
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This oval-shaped moissanite ring with diamond or moissanite side stones demands all of the attention in this nature-inspired piece. With an array of metals to choose from (yellow, white, or rose gold), customize this ring to your style and budget. This ring looks vintage, but is custom-made to order by hand.
Metals: 18k or 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Moissanite | Stone Shape: Oval | Stone Size: 6-10 mm
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Adorned with an intricate diamond band, this vintage-inspired engagement ring flaunts the look of a marquise-shaped stone. Choose from a round, pear, oval, radiant, princess, emerald, or Asscher-cut natural diamond, and set it in platinum, white, yellow, or rose gold. You may or may not ever stop staring at your hand.
Metals: Platinum; 18k white, yellow, or rose gold; 14k white gold | Stone Type: Natural diamond | Stone Shape: Round, pear, oval, radiant, princess, emerald, Asscher | Stone Size: 0.11 carat
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The chain-inspired band of the Nico Ring gives it added sparkle and style and is a great alternative to diamonds. Adding stunning visual interest, this bezel-set round diamond solitaire is simply the prettiest piece to flaunt on your finger. Choose from yellow, white, or rose gold, and let the female-owned team at Barbela Design do the rest.
Metals: 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Diamond | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: 0.17 carat
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It doesn't get any more romantic and ethereal than this. Effortlessly beautiful, a cluster of round diamonds is scattered throughout this gently twisted band. Choose from an 18k beige gold, rose gold, or platinum band. This unique ring stands alone, but it can also be stacked with other favorites if you prefer.
Metals: Platinum, 18k rose or beige gold | Stone Type: Natural diamonds | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: 0.04 carat
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This is such a sweet and dainty spin on a classic solitaire with a pavé-set diamond band. Set in a thin band of 14k yellow, white, or rose gold, we love the look of the elongated center stone and the diamonds that shank the sides. You can also choose a center baguette stone in a variety of gems from amethyst to sapphire.
Metals: 14k white, yellow, or rose gold | Stone Type: Diamond, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, emerald, garnet, moonstone, peridot, ruby, sapphire, topaz (blue), tourmaline (pink) | Stone Shape: Baguette | Stone Size: 0.21 carat
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Style it in a stack or slip it on solo, there's no wrong way to wear this handcrafted 18k yellow gold ring. This piece features a unique geometrically shaped band and a round solitaire diamond. This special ring is part of an art deco-inspired capsule collection at Ben Bridge.
Metals: 18k yellow gold | Stone Type: Natural diamond | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: 0.16 carat
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We have one word: wow. Incredibly romantic and magical, this rose gold band is encrusted with delicate diamonds and lunar-inspired detail. The handmade ring features a single brilliant natural diamond surrounded by 15 small diamonds. This special ring is also available in 14k white and yellow gold.
Metals: 14k white, yellow, or rose gold | Stone Type: Natural diamonds | Stone Shape: Brilliant | Stone Size: 2.5 mm
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From white, champagne, or black diamonds to an array of different metals, you can truly get creative and make this piece your own. No matter which one you choose, the stunning halo pavé set diamonds encompass a dazzling round center diamond. The sides of the band are also set with diamonds for extra shimmer.
Metals: Platinum; 18k or 14k white, yellow, or rose gold | Stone Type: Natural diamonds | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: 0.33-4 carat
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This pear-shaped ring from HauteCarat sparkles. The lab-created diamond on this charming ring is surrounded by a delicate pavé band. Available in 14k white, yellow, and rose gold, this ring is sustainably made in the U.S.
Metals: 14k yellow, white, or rose gold | Stone Type: Lab-created diamonds | Stone Shape: Pear | Stone Size: 0.40 carat
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This pear-shaped diamond on a rose gold band with marquise-shaped accents is reminiscent of an art deco style. Available in round, oval, cushion, pear, or emerald shapes, your lab-grown center stone and side stones will glisten, whether nestled on a 14k white gold, 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, or platinum band.
Metals: Platinum; 14k white, yellow, or rose gold | Stone Type: Lab grown | Stone Shape: Round, oval, cushion, pear, emerald | Stone Size: 1-2.2 carat
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With a stunning round moissanite center stone, this 14k gold ring looks pricier than it is. The simple solitaire design with a gleaming band (you choose white, yellow, or rose gold) is made to order.
Metals: 14k white gold, yellow, or rose gold | Stone Type: Moissanite | Stone Shape: Round | Stone Size: 6.5 mm
What to Look for When Choosing an Affordable Engagement Ring
- Stone: Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you should have to sacrifice any sparkle. Try swapping out a natural diamond for a lab-created one or a similar-looking diamond alternative like white sapphire, moissanite, or morganite. "Morganite is an excellent alternative stone that can be more budget-friendly. Gems like spinel, sapphire, and ruby are also among the more durable gemstones, and while some varieties can command high prices, you can find a variety of colors and styles that fit a more modest budget," says Kanary.
- Setting: Thankfully, when it comes to your setting, there are clever alternatives that cut costs while still achieving an almost identical look. "The most important aspects to a setting are that it is strong enough to hold your stone and that it is aesthetically pleasing to you," Kanary says. "If you're looking for more affordable jewelry that will last, we recommend gold-plated items. You can have a durable metal core with a fine gold exterior—all of which provide an expensive look but are cost-effective and simple to maintain over time," Kanary says. Many brands offer rings that can come in different metals ranging from platinum to 14k gold.
- Band: Opting for a minimalistic band grants you more freedom to indulge in a bigger or more eye-catching stone. Or, if you're looking to make the band more of the focal point, consider textured bands, split shanks, or less-expensive gemstones for extra embellishment.
- Cut: Consider the cut of the diamond that you’re most drawn to. Many people equate cut with the shape of the diamond. Cut describes the facets, or reflective qualities of a diamond, while shape is the exterior cut (pear, marquise, emerald, etc.) There is a correlation between cut and shape, however; some shapes, like round and princess, tend to have more cuts and therefore give off more sparkle.
- Size: The size of a diamond is based on the overall dimensions of the stone. While many people equate size with carats, the number of carats refers to the weight of the diamond. The average diamond engagement ring is one carat. But there are much lighter and considerably heavier diamonds, and the size that you choose ultimately depends on your budget, personal style, and the quality of the diamond you’re looking for.
Why Trust Brides
Laura Lajiness Kaupke is a writer and editor covering fashion, accessories, and fine jewelry. She was the senior fashion editor at The Zoe Report and POPSUGAR, and she has additional experience as a copywriter and fashion publicist. She spoke to the following experts for insights for this story:
- Kim Kanary is the senior vice president of marketing and brand management at JTV, where she leads the gemstones advancement team and social media group.
- Stephanie Gottlieb is a celebrity jewelry designer and founder of her eponymous fine jewelry brand. Known for her one-of-a-kind diamond statement pieces, Gottlieb most recently designed Britney Spears’ custom wedding bands.
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