20 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 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 one (yes, they are legitimate) or a similar-looking diamond alternative like white sapphire, moissanite, or morganite—all are equally eye-catching and cost a lot less than mined diamonds. Also 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, and a unique setting with detailed metalwork (antique rings are a great option for this style). Or pick from a variety of metal settings instead of platinum, like yellow gold, rose gold, or sterling silver. Sticking to minimalist bands and bezel settings will also be cheaper—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.

Wanting 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, we've found an array of inexpensive engagement rings that are as affordable as they are unique.