Best Styles for Affordable Engagement Rings: How to Get a Perfect Ring Without Breaking the Bank

An interesting thing about engagement rings fashion is that it always mixes fresh with the familiar, offering new takes on the beloved classics. The trends change every season and still we know what to expect when we open that tiny but oh-so-cherished box. It happens because rings need to be functional and lasting, so each piece unites time-tested designs and skills with the latest popular colors or themes. 

Yet one relatively recent trend that particularly appeals to people looking for this special ring is affordability. Engagement rings should not be eye-wateringly expensive or cost a couple of monthly salaries anymore. They can cost what you want them to cost and still be the epitome of elegance and style. 

There are some professional tricks that will help you bring down the price if you want a particular style or a stone. But in general, there are very cool affordable rings styles in current bridal collections, so let’s make the most of your budget!

Styles To Check First When Searching For A Dazzling Ring On A Budget

 Solitaire rings have always been the primary choice of brides far and white due to their simplicity and timelessness. Solitaire rings go with everything, fit into any jewelry collection, and are perfect for stacking or for rocking solo on a finger. Plus, this style of rings can be made of different materials and with different stones, which impacts the costs significantly. 

A large diamond on a thick white gold band will feature a whopping price tag. But a similar style executed with a smaller stone - or with a diamond alternative - and set on a slimmer band will be more affordable. 

Consider this whooping 1-carat moissanite and gold ring that you can get well under $500, if you need a friendly suggestion. 

Want a splash of color or a unique stone? These alexandrite, topaz, and opal rings tick all the boxes and cost around $300 - $400.

Dainty laid-back engagement rings are all the rage now and the trend does not seem to recede, so you probably know what ring style to explore first. 

Halo rings.  Halo design takes special place in bridal jewelry collections because it is spectacular and helps get an astounding ring for a reasonable price. A band or two of small stones in a halo make even the modest central stone look huge, and the combined sparkle of them all makes the ring stand out in the crowd. 

Aim at the diamond look? Check this halo ring with a gold band (below $500). Colored gemstones? They are true confections for the eye, so start with this and this model and explore the collection. The price of each hovers around $500. 

Cluster rings. A more unusual but still very appealing design is to have small stones set in clusters around the central stone or along the band. This addition does not make the price spike but adds significantly to visual interest and coolness of the jewelry piece. 

Stones can be set snugly together (around $500) or be delicately sprinkled here and there (available for $250). The latter styling makes a ring look ethereal and fairy-like, reminding of dew drops and stars in the sky. A ring fit for a fairy princess or a romantic soul!

Three-stone rings. A really interesting solution for those who don’t want a solitaire but don't fancy an over-the-top ring either. One larger central stone is flanked by two smaller stones, and this placement creates a smooth flow of color or colorless brilliance across the finger. Additionally, such rings have a vintagy vibe, not completely vintage, but with a light effect of an heirloom piece. 

This style was very popular during the Victorian era, but unexpectedly got revamped and reimagined in the 1960s. The fascination with clean geometric forms stemming from the modernism movement and abstract art resulted in this interesting stone alignment as we know it today. The three-ring stone also sits on a finger snugly and is a very practical style. 

If you get diamond alternatives instead of diamonds, this stunning ring won’t hurt your wallet at all ($325). Need a unique stone ring? Look at this rutilated quartz beauty (around $500) or this mesmerizing opal ring (around $570) to get inspired.

Vintage rings. They are ornate, opulent, classy, statement - what else can you want from an engagement ring? Probably, for them to cost a bit less than a fortune, and that’s all. If you follow our tips on choosing metals and stones, you can get an amazing Victorian, Art Deco, or Celtic-style ring for a very reasonable price. The only consideration is the preferences of the person you choose a ring for. Each model is striking and luxurious in its own right, so start your selection with this topaz ($274), alexandrite ($500) or citrin ($240) masterpieces.

Solutions To Reduce The Cost Of A Ring Style You Like

It can be so that you have found the ring you love but the price hits above your budget. In this case, we recommend you resort to little tricks that experienced jewelers have up their sleeve. But to be able to replace stones or change metals with ease, you should team up with a reputable jewelry shop that can customize a ring model or even create a ring design from scratch. 

YourAsteria is just the jewelry shop you need, with a team of passionate jewelers who do everything by hand and are able to bring your wishes to life. 

Now let’s find out how you can reduce the ring cost without sacrificing its beauty. 

Choose a stone other than diamonds

Moissanites and cubic zirconia are as glorious and sparkly as diamonds but their cost sits near the lower bracket of the range compared to diamond rings. The visual effect will be amazing, but the price will be very affordable. Plus, the clarity, color and sparkle of diamond alternatives are always perfect, while the diamonds of the middle price range can be not that clear or colorless.

Or else, go for some unique colored gem and create a unique ring that reflects the personality of your loved one. Rings with colored stones are always fashionable, so such a ring will be timeless but never boring.

Choose smaller diamonds and use interesting setting

As said, if you want diamonds but don’t want to splurge too much, opt for smaller diamonds set into a halo of tiny stones. The cost will reflect this change but the look will only win due to this tweak. The shine of multiple stones can rival the look of a single stone effectively.

Use lab-grown diamonds 

Again, if you want diamonds but cannot spend a fortune, go for lab diamonds. They are completely identical to mined diamonds in everything from clarity to color, but their huge advantage is the ethical origin. Lab diamonds don’t have a record of harsh mining practices, negative community and environmental impact, and you can trace the lab diamond to the laboratory it was grown in. Besides, their price is reasonably lower than that of mined stones. Choose some interesting setting and you’ve got one stunner of a ring.

Use silver in place of white gold

If you love the look, you can swap white gold for silver, thus making a ring much more affordable. Rhodium-plated silver has the same cool sleek look as white gold and benefits from gentle polish now and then. 

For yellow or rose gold, a silver ring with gold plating can do the trick. Yet the plating will wear away over time, so new treatment may be necessary. Anyway, compared to white gold, a slim rose gold band won’t make you break the bank. So you can safely bet on a golden ring and be sure that you won’t get ripped. 

Choose slim delicate rings with interesting design

Finally, the design itself can make a ring more affordable. Choose slim rings with thin bands, this move will bring the costs down. Delicate engagement rings are highly popular today, you can get any style you want, from minimalist and reserved to more intricate and ornate ones. Yet the key feature uniting them is their light weight and lower cost. So you can purchase a fancy piece of jewelry worthy of your loved one and still have some money tucked away for the honeymoon. Isn’t it really sweet? 

Hope we answered your question about what rings are affordable yet stylish, so all you have to do is make up your mind regarding the general design. Then you can mix and match and tweak the details until you arrive at the ring that whispers ‘perfect!’ We will gladly support you in your journey because you and your sweetheart deserve only the best.