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COURTESY OF MEGAN THRONE / DESIGN BY BAILEY MARINER
Getting engaged is one of the most exciting milestones in life and in a romantic relationship. You don’t have to let a thing like a ring’s cost get in the way of the joy and pleasure of the moment. According to Brides' American Wedding Study, couples spent, on average, $3,756 on an engagement ring in 2020. Many couples spend well under $10,000 on their engagement ring, so you will be in good company if you are looking to spend less and still get a ring you absolutely adore.
Yuvi Alpert, jeweler and founder of Noémie, advises, "Generally speaking, in the diamond industry, diamonds become more expensive with size. Still, whether you’re looking for a diamond engagement ring or something more unique, there are many ways to find the perfect piece within your price range. You can still purchase platinum, white gold, or yellow gold engagement rings at a reasonable price, well below the $10,000 mark. Beauty doesn’t directly correlate with a dollar value! The lower price doesn't necessarily equate to less elegance or sparkle. The beauty of a piece of jewelry is influenced by one’s personal taste and style."
Meet the Expert
Yuvi Alpert is an accomplished jeweler and the founder of Noémie, a company that is revolutionizing the fine jewelry industry and creating special pieces with conflict-free diamonds.
To help you find your dream engagement ring that’s also reasonably priced, here are our favorite engagement rings under $10,000.
Noémie Lab Grown Halo Pavé
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Courtesy of Noémie
This Noémie engagement ring shimmers with diamonds and its perfectly paired white gold band. The center lab-grown diamond has a four-prong halo setting, and smaller diamonds line each side of the band.
Price at time of publish: $5,550
Edward Avedis Bello Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Edward Avedis
Designed to be a dainty engagement ring, this Edward Avedis ring centers a round, brilliant shape diamond. Diamonds also line the band halfway down each side of the center diamond.
Brilliant Earth Rose Gold Nadia Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Brilliant Earth
The beautiful, gently tapered rose gold band sets off the tear-shaped diamond in this special ring. To complete the look, the prong-set, tear-shaped diamond has round diamonds and a marquise-shaped diamond on each side.
Price at time to publish: $1,150
Vrai Three Stone Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of VRAI
Emerald-shaped diamonds are at the center of this glamorous engagement ring. The center stone is set with two smaller emerald-shaped diamonds on each side, then both sides of the yellow gold band are lined with diamonds.
Cathy Waterman Rustic Rose Cut Diamond Wheat Ring
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Courtesy of Twist
Cathy Waterman creates unusual, unforgettable engagement rings, and this one is no exception. The diamond and platinum wheat band gives the ring a natural, ethereal quality, and the rose-cut rustic diamond is beautifully framed in platinum.
Price at time of publish: $6,600
AARYAH Trikona Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of AARYAH
A distinctive triangle-shaped white diamond is the centerpiece of this unforgettable AARYAH engagement ring. It is set in a lovely conflict-free yellow gold band and has a satin finish.
Price at time of publish: $903
Eriness Diamond Marquise Ring
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Courtesy of Eriness
Simple and sparkling, this ring features a single marquise-shaped diamond that’s set within a yellow gold band. It’s stackable or is elegant on its own.
Price at time of publish: $1,695
Noémie Crisscross Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Noemie
Noémie’s crisscross engagement ring has a beautifully unusual design twist that shows off both the band and center stone. Handset in white gold, the center diamond is accentuated by pavé diamonds that line the top crisscrossed sides of the ring.
Price at time of publish: $9,940
Chinchar Maloney Rustic Salt & Pepper Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of Chinchar Maloney
This Chinchar Maloney engagement ring looks modern and chic, and it centers a pear-shaped, rose-cut diamond that has a salt-and-pepper color. Brilliant gray diamonds are set into the ring’s yellow-gold band.
Price at time of publish: $5,433
Allurez Diamond Claddagh Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Allurez
Brides who have Irish heritage or simply a passion for Ireland may especially appreciate this diamond Claddagh ring from Allurez. The center round diamond is prong-set in the yellow gold band that offers a gorgeous contrast, and 14 smaller diamonds are set within the band.
Price at time of publish: $2,930
Edward Avedis Priscilla Ring
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Courtesy of Edward Avedis
With a modern touch on a classic style, the Edward Avedis Priscilla engagement ring is eye-catching. It has a one-carat round diamond in a halo setting, so it is framed by a circle of smaller diamonds. Diamonds also line the white gold band on each side of the center diamond.
Price at time of publish: $9,400
Blue Nile French Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Blue Nile
This elegant engagement ring from Blue Nile has a vintage flair. The ideal cut diamond is prong-set, and smaller diamonds are pavé-set going halfway down each side of the platinum band.
Price at time of publish: $6,972
Selim Mouzannar Large Morganite and Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Ylang23
This unusual and tasteful Selim Mouzannar engagement ring features a morganite gemstone that’s framed in tiny white diamonds. The antique cutout setting is raised on the thin rose gold band.
Price at time of publish: $4,000
Greenwich St. Jewelers Vesey 3-Stone Engagement Ring Setting
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Courtesy of Greenwich Jewelers
Here’s an engagement ring with a graceful cathedral design. It has tapered diamond baguettes and a white gold band that adds to its glamour. It stands beautifully on its own and stacks well with any wedding band.
Price at time of publish: $3,450
Forevermark Micaela’s Simply Solitaire Oval Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of ForeverMark
This Forevermark engagement ring is simply elegant with a thin platinum band that keeps the focus on the solo oval diamond. The prong-set centerpiece diamond grabs one’s attention and keeps it.
Price at time of publish: $4,050
Hoorsenbuhs Mini Vin Antiquated Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Hoorsenbuhs
Hoorsenbuhs has created a memorable engagement ring that isn’t like any you are likely to find elsewhere. It has an elongated link that is antiquated with diamonds in a yellow gold band. Another line of diamonds line each side of the link and the bottom of the ring has a chain-like design.
Price at time of publish: $4,800
Nicole Rose Platinum Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Nicole Rose Jewelry
At first glance, sparkling diamonds seem to be on every surface of this pretty engagement ring from Nicole Rose. The center emerald-cut diamond is perfectly complemented with diamonds that are set halfway down the shank of the platinum band.
Price at time of publish: $5,800
Cathy Waterman Rustic Diamond Marquise Leaf Ring
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Courtesy of Twist
The center stone in this Cathy Waterman engagement ring is a rustic black and white diamond that’s set in blackened yellow gold prongs. On either side of the center diamond are three blackened marquise leaves that are set with white diamonds. There’s even a hidden diamond on the back of the yellow gold band.
Price at time of publish: $6,360
AARYAH Shani Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of AARYAH
This striking engagement ring from AARYAH’s ASTRA collection is named after the Sanskrit word for Saturn. It features an oval diamond that’s set within the ring’s thick yellow gold band, which surrounds the diamond on all sides like the rings of Saturn.
Price at time of publish: $7,200
Eriness Diamond Disco Ball Ring
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Courtesy of Eriness
This creative, fun engagement ring features a diamond-studded disco ball. The disco ball is made of brilliant white diamonds and diamonds also line half the gold eternity band.
Edward Avedis Rosie Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Edward Avedis
This cushion engagement ring presents beautiful contrasts. Created by Brandi Milloy, the Edward Avedis Rosie ring accentuates the center diamond with a diamond halo and diamonds along each side of the rose gold band.
Price at time of publish: $8,300
Allurez Heart-Shaped Amethyst and Diamond Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Allurez
This sweet Allurez engagement ring was handcrafted with a heart-shaped natural amethyst. The purple gemstone is framed by a halo of diamonds in a raised setting, and 32 individually-set diamonds add to its shimmering beauty.
Price at time of publish: $1,968
Noémie Lab Grown Solitaire Ring
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Courtesy of Noemie
This simple and elegant solitaire engagement ring from Noémie keeps the focus on the jaw-dropping, lab-grown diamond. The prong-set diamond looks lovely with the white gold band.
Price at time of publish: $4,780
What to Look for When Shopping for an Engagement Ring Under $10,000
Cut
According to Alpert, it’s essential that you understand the diamond cut that suits you best and focus on the color and clarity quality. The diamond is the star of the ring, so to speak, and you aren’t likely to love the ring and be happy with it on a long-term basis if you don’t fall in love with the diamond.
Certification
Alpert cautions that you should make sure the diamonds in your ring are certified by the IGI or GIA. Compare the price you were quoted on a ring with what other companies across the internet are offering. That way, you can ensure that you are getting a good value. It’s also best to read as many reviews as possible about the jeweler before investing in an engagement ring. Double-check to make sure the thing comes with a warranty and that it can be returned, at least initially, for a full refund.
Budget
Lastly, don’t get carried away. It’s okay to have a great time and make this a memorable experience while still being cautious and even frugal. "Spend what you feel comfortable with. You can always upgrade the size in the future, but you’ll be happiest purchasing something beautiful that fits within your budget," Alpert advises.