24 Affordable Engagement Rings Under $1,500

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 of 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.

Spending bookoo bucks may not be a reality for you, and that's okay. Instead, try swapping out a natural diamond for a lab-created diamond (yes, they are legitimate diamonds) or a similar-looking diamond alternative like white sapphire, moissanite, or morganite as an alternative—all are equally eye-catching and cost a lot less than mined diamonds. For an alternative engagement ring, consider a colorful gemstone (a super popular choice when affordability is a concern), a ring with enamel (which is super trendy right now), a cluster style ring of smaller stones set together to create the illusion of a bigger center stone, or opt for a unique setting with detailed metal work (antique rings are a great option for this style). Another way to keep cost down is to pick from a variety of metal settings instead of platinum, like yellow gold, rose gold, or sterling silver. Also, sticking to minimalist bands and bezel settings will keep the cost down—we know, we know, you may have had your heart set on a pavé band or halo, but truthfully, simpler styles are more of-the-moment anyway. So think of it as the cooler, more modern alternative.

Just because you want a beautiful engagement ring (and, hey, you deserve one), doesn't mean you have to break the bank. There are many ways to signify a lifelong commitment without going in the red zone of your checking account or racking up a serious credit card balance. Whether you’re dead set on a diamond or open to gemstones, cluster rings, or antique styles, ahead, we found an array of unique budget-friendly engagement rings under $1,500 that are as affordable as they are stunning.