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There’s an old rule that says you should spend at least three months of your salary on an engagement ring. Whatever amount that looks like to you, that’s a lot of cash to drop when you’ve got a wedding, house purchase, and/or whatever it entails to start a life together looming.
Saying “I do” shouldn’t have to mean saying I do to debt. According to The Knot, the average cost of an engagement ring in the U.S. in 2018 was $5,680, and the average cost of getting married in the U.S. was $38,700, according to WeddingWire’s 2019 Newlywed report.
While some may think that the bigger the bling, the better, you don’t want such a splurge to have a devastating impact on your wallet. That said, An engagement ring is going to be something that gets worn every day and has special meaning to its wearer, so you want to get it right.
You can still have a big impact with a smaller stone (such as one that’s cleverly disguised with other less expensive stones or a halo setting with smaller diamonds surrounding it) or a ring that skips the diamond altogether.
Here are 4 of the best engagement rings under $1,500, according to experts. All are inspired by celebrity styles that are designed to “wow” your soon-to-be fiance.
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From Megan Fox’s pear-cut diamond and emerald ring that nearly broke the internet to Ariana Grande’s oval-cut diamond and pearl ring and Kylie Jenner’s pear and radiant cut two-stone diamond ring, two-stone rings are all the rage, says Amber Melendez of Bling Advisor, a Black female-founded jewelry company.
And if you think two stones instead of one will make a bigger dent on your wallet, think again. You can opt for two smaller stones instead of one larger one, and it’ll actually save you some dough. Or, forego diamonds altogether and opt for the perfect pairing of rare morganite and pink tourmaline set in rose gold.
Price: $1,490 at BrilliantEarth.com
First made popular by Emily Ratajkowski (who always gives us oodles of style inspo) who had a two-stone engagement ring on a thick band, this style has been seen on many other celebs including Rihanna, Fergie, and Meghan Markle. “The outdated trend of micro-thin bands has now been replaced by androgynous, thicker-metal bands that are more unique and durable,” explains Melendez.
You can get the same big style on a smaller budget with this chunky 14K gold band, featuring 7 emerald-cut stones totaling 1 carat of lab-created diamonds.
Price: $1,162 at JamesAllen.com
Sapphire rings and non-diamond engagement rings have adorned the stylish fingers of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Middleton, Katy Perry, and many others. “We are seeing a significant increase in customers asking for non-traditional stones and metals, especially for sapphire rings and rose gold bands, but you can really customize with any colored gemstones and metals,” asserts Melendez.
You can even opt for a gemstone that has special meaning, such as their birthstone. Ben Affleck reportedly gave Jennifer Lopez a green stone because it’s her lucky color. Doing so brings down the cost, but not the sentiment.
This one is a stunner, at an even more stunning price, with an emerald center stone surrounded by 34 (yes, 34) accent diamonds and set in white gold. Dozens of diamonds make this sparkler shine without the sticker shock.
Price: $995 at BlingAdvisor.com
The less ornate it is, the easier it’ll be on your budget. A simple diamond solitaire like Mila Kunis has is a classic choice. New York-based jeweler Catbird offers affordable engagement rings with metals that are ethically sourced and diamonds that are conflict-free.
We love this traditional antique-inspired solitaire with its shining diamond, expertly set on a softly textured gold band that looks like it’s been kneaded by the hands of fairies. It’s simplistic but still special, with its handmade feel and understated elegance. It’s a winning combo of high-quality gold and a quality diamond, with a price tag we love even more.
Price: $816 for .01 carat weight in 18K gold at Catbirdnyc.com
