Inexpensive engagement rings?

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holly_potter

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My bf and I are discerning when he and I should get married–there’s factors we’re considering as to the timing, and so on… (pray for us, please? 🙂 ) :love:

Anyway, so we were looking around at engagement rings. But :eek: they’re so expensive! Neither he nor I want to spend “two months’ salary” on a ring. To save on money we’re even taking a look at non-specific rings, as in, rings that aren’t under the “engagement” category. (a bunch cheaper…).

So, I didn’t know if anybody had any suggestions on where to find cheaper rings? Definitely needs to be gold, durable (probably 14K), and I don’t really care about the stones, diamonds or emeralds or otherwise (any advice on what to avoid when it comes to stones?). And the maximum is $1000, though he and I’d prefer about $200-800.

Thanks!
 
In general the cost of the ring is going to be the diamond (or diamonds.) When I bought my wife’s engagement ring since she was in the medical profession I had no idea which type of ring would work with gloves so I got her a real good diamond and a real cheap ring. That way after she was suprised by the engagement ring she could then decide on exactly what type of ring she wanted the diamond in.

If I remember right the ring itself was only $80. The key to your discussion would be what you are willing to live with in a diamond. The smaller the diamond and the other aspects that go into a diamond (i.e. clarity) will determine the ultimate price.

Go to a place that hasn’t put the diamonds in the ring yet and talk to them.
 
DH bought my engagement and wedding rings at Blue Nile. www.bluenile.com

The rings are certified and come with documentation and appraisal. They are a reputable company.
 
My husband bought me a gorgeous white gold and ruby ring (my birthstone) for an engagement ring. I love it because it’s so different than an average engagement ring! Also, it cost less than $900…major plus! If you’re willing to think “outside of the box” when it comes to engagement rings–as you are–there are loads of lovely, creative, less expensive options.

Good luck ring hunting!
*Stella
 
My husband and I were in the same situation. We decided to forego the engagement ring. I got a very simple wedding band when we got married. Then later, when we had the money for it, he bought me a gold ring with diamonds and an opal for an anniversary ring. Just an idea… we’re a little “different” though. 😉

Good luck on your search!
 
DH got my ring at Whitehall Jewelers in the mall. It’s not an “engagement” ring per se, but it’s one I liked with 14k white gold and 3 small diamonds. He paid about $300 for it. Don’t be afraid to ask the sales person if the ring you like comes in a cheaper version.
 
If you want an inexpensive engagement ring, don’t look at “engagement rings”. Mine is white gold with diamonds but it’s classified differently. It was probably around $400-500 ( I know because I lost it when were engaged and we did manage to find it again, and DH was a bit annoyed because it was much cheaper the 2nd time!) There are lots of gorgeous rings with other stones too- I would personally consider a ruby or an emerald or a ruby/diamond mix, you get the idea. Really whatever you like, will all serve the same purpose regardless 🙂
 
holly there are tons of rings out there, with damonds too if that’s what you like, under $1000, and well under.

Have you tried a local jeweler? When I say local I mean NOT your mall type jewelry place (Kay, Zales, etc.)? Have you looked in your city for wholesale jewelers? A lot of times you can find a stone from a wholesaler and the setting from a good jeweler and it will be ton’s cheaper. A good jeweler is an artist and can make for you what you want not something pre-fab. you might try etsy for a jeweler too, and maybe an antique ring could be found on ebay. I’ve bought myself 2 rings off ebay (not as engagement rings of course) with great results, one an antique rose gold and amethyst of 6 carats, for $100.

My point, there are lots of choices out there! Good luck and have fun hunting:)
 
holly_potter said:
My bf and I are discerning when he and I should get married–there’s factors we’re considering as to the timing, and so on… (pray for us, please? 🙂 ) :love:

Anyway, so we were looking around at engagement rings. But :eek: they’re so expensive! Neither he nor I want to spend “two months’ salary” on a ring. To save on money we’re even taking a look at non-specific rings, as in, rings that aren’t under the “engagement” category. (a bunch cheaper…).

So, I didn’t know if anybody had any suggestions on where to find cheaper rings? Definitely needs to be gold, durable (probably 14K), and I don’t really care about the stones, diamonds or emeralds or otherwise (any advice on what to avoid when it comes to stones?). And the maximum is $1000, though he and I’d prefer about $200-800.

Thanks!
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I’d go to a wholesaler, you can pick out your stone, and then pick out a separate setting, and it’s much less expensive than buying a ring, retail. I don’t think you will find much in the way of diamonds for $200 range, but under $1000, is definitely doable. Happy shopping, I love sparklies. 🙂

You can also try moissanite…I lost my original e-ring that was a diamond…and last year, we purchased a beautiful moissanite ring…it is as hard as a diamond, tests like a diamond,much cheaper…and there are not moral issues, if you are concerned if your diamond is related to conflict areas where there are blood diamond issues.

Here is the website…
www.moissaniteco.com

🙂
 
I second this company. I have friends who have used it. One of the better deals out there and good quality.
1ke said:
DH bought my engagement and wedding rings at Blue Nile. www.bluenile.com

The rings are certified and come with documentation and appraisal. They are a reputable company.
Click to expand...
 
lizm25 said:
My husband and I were in the same situation. We decided to forego the engagement ring. I got a very simple wedding band when we got married. Then later, when we had the money for it, he bought me a gold ring with diamonds and an opal for an anniversary ring. Just an idea… we’re a little “different” though. 😉

Good luck on your search!
Click to expand...
Us too. We were both right out of grad school with good jobs but lots of student loans to pay off. So we skipped the engagement ring and got simple gold bands for the wedding. For our fifth anniversery he got me a solitare, which I wear next to my wedding ring. So, it’s an “engagement” ring but I didn’t wear it when we were engaged. I guess we’re different too. 😃
 
You might actually try QVC. They are reasonable and will sometimes offer easy pay. The line of diamonds that they carry is called Affinity Diamonds. These are real.

Now, if you want to have “temporary ones”, until such time as you can afford the real thing, QVC has an excellent line called Diamonique. You can’t tell the difference. In fact, famous designers like Tacori and Judith Ripka, who work with the real stuff, will design special collections featuring Diamonique. Incidentally, Tacoris on the open market don’t come cheap, nor does Judith Ripka. It’s just an option to consider.
 
Yeah, you guys DEFINETLY want to save money. Believe me. I’m in the middle of planning/paying for me and my fiancee’s wedding. We’re getting married in August and PHEW!!! Weddings are SO EXPENSIVE nowadays, lol. Trust me, the engagement ring is something you don’t need to spend so much money on.

I went to Shaw’s and I bought my fiancee an emerald ring for about $250. It wasn’t a classified “Engagment Ring” which is why I think it wasn’t so expensive. But me and my fiancee didn’t really care about that. A ring is a ring in our opinion and as long as we love each other and are married to each other we could really give a care less what kind of ring it is. And it was good cause it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg and it was a pretty ring. She loved it. And ultimatly, if you two love each other, the price of things like that or what kind of ring it is won’t matter. Just as long as you two are together you don’t need to spend a BUNCH of money on things like this.

Best of wishes for you guys 😃
 
holly_potter said:
My bf and I are discerning when he and I should get married–there’s factors we’re considering as to the timing, and so on… (pray for us, please? 🙂 ) :love:

Anyway, so we were looking around at engagement rings. But :eek: they’re so expensive! Neither he nor I want to spend “two months’ salary” on a ring. To save on money we’re even taking a look at non-specific rings, as in, rings that aren’t under the “engagement” category. (a bunch cheaper…).

So, I didn’t know if anybody had any suggestions on where to find cheaper rings? Definitely needs to be gold, durable (probably 14K), and I don’t really care about the stones, diamonds or emeralds or otherwise (any advice on what to avoid when it comes to stones?). And the maximum is $1000, though he and I’d prefer about $200-800.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I never even got one until we got REALLY (church) married two years ago, after 20-odd years. And by that time we could afford something expensive.

But I decided on a CZ ring with three stones and it looks great to me and I’m MUCH happier than if I was walking around with something I’d be scared to lose.
 
benedictgal said:
You might actually try QVC. They are reasonable and will sometimes offer easy pay. The line of diamonds that they carry is called Affinity Diamonds. These are real.

Now, if you want to have “temporary ones”, until such time as you can afford the real thing, QVC has an excellent line called Diamonique. You can’t tell the difference. In fact, famous designers like Tacori and Judith Ripka, who work with the real stuff, will design special collections featuring Diamonique. Incidentally, Tacoris on the open market don’t come cheap, nor does Judith Ripka. It’s just an option to consider.
Click to expand...
Y’knowww… I think that’s where I got mine. 😃

What I did also was buy a few VERY cheapie rings, just to try different styles. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted a solitaire or the three stones. It was an inexpensive way to go.

And I forgot to say GOOD LUCK HP. 👍
 
Thanks so much all for your (name removed by moderator)ut and advice! I’ve taken a look at all the websites, and the Blue Nile one was the one bf was looking at earlier. I found one I liked there, it’s about $650, but still, (maybe since I’m a college student) it seems so expensive! But in comparison to everything else, really cheap…I’m definitely still keeping an eye out for a good deal! I hate to make bf pay for something so expensive…(we’re pretty frugal 🙂 )

bluenile.com/ruby-diamond-ring_5767?ring_size=&rf=pd

Thanks for the goodluck, and if y’all don’t mind, prayers would be helpful, please 🙂 We’re trying to figure out whether we should marry next year, or about four years from now. The reason is that bf is doing his PhD in history in a city about an hour away, starting fall of 2010.
Logistics-wise, we’re trying to figure out if we should marry before he starts in the fall, and share a family dorm, or if we should wait until he’s done with his PhD (and he’d commute using a shuttle–$35/day; driving’s not an option) and try to marry before he has to move to another city. The thing with academic careers is that one has to cast a broad net, and be willing to move anywhere in the US… Anyway, we’re praying a ton! Thanks for all your guys’ advice and prayers…
 
We were just out of college and didn’t have a dime. Mine was just a ring that I really liked, sapphires with little diamonds around it. Later when we had the money, we bought two diamond “anniversary bands” and attached them to each side of the ring. I get a lot of compliments since it’s not the typical engagement ring. I think the ring itself was only $300.
 
shannyk said:
Have you tried a local jeweler? When I say local I mean NOT your mall type jewelry place (Kay, Zales, etc.)? Have you looked in your city for wholesale jewelers? A lot of times you can find a stone from a wholesaler and the setting from a good jeweler and it will be ton’s cheaper. A good jeweler is an artist and can make for you what you want not something pre-fab.
Click to expand...
I definitely agree! My DH and got engaged in Jan '07, while both of us where in school. He originally looked at bluenile, and we were pretty convinced that even though he’d proposed that I wouldn’t get a ring 'til pretty close to the wedding day. Thankfully, his dad had gotten his mom a bigger, better version of her e-ring for their 25th. His mom called him up on day, and said, “hey do you want my diamond?”. DH originally declined because he thought I wouldn’t like it (wrong cut), but then decided to ask me, where after freaking out that his family actually thought that highly of me, I said “well, of course!” So we ended up at a local jeweler who was able to work up a ring for me (my fingers are bigger than MiL’s). We were also able to go to him for our wedding rings since we wanted custom. Grand total spent (remember, we didn’t have to purchase the expensive part - the diamond) was about $300 for my e-ring and both our wedding rings (we melted down some old family jewelry for his ring).

I wish you well and happy hunting! Congrats, btw.
 
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