Affordable Engagement Rings

With the average cost of engagement rings hovering around $4,000, it's no wonder affordable engagement rings are sought out now more than ever!

Depending on your budget, an affordable ring might only be $20 or it might be $800 or higher. Whatever your ring budget is, in this article I'll break down the most popular affordable engagement ring types, costs, pros and cons so that you can find the best ring within your price range.

Here are some beginning steps for setting up an engagement ring budget:

1. Determine how much you'd like to spend
2. Outline the aspects of an engagement ring you really want or can live without (diamonds, platinum band, etc.)
3. Think of what your girlfriend would like in an engagement ring (remember she'll be wearing this for a long time so seriously consider what you think she'll want in a ring)
4. Start saving!
   

Naturally, with each type of budget engagement ring there are some pros and cons. Here's a run down of some of the most popular types of affordable engagement rings:

Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings are a great substitute to diamond rings because they look almost identical to the naked eye. Really the only way to tell them apart is if the cubic zirconia (CZ) has a crack or a scratch on it. Prices here are quite low, starting around $15.

Gemstone Engagement Rings are also an inexpensive alternative to a diamond engagement ring. Gemstones come in a wide variety of colors and styles and each gemstone has a unique story behind it that will impress your girlfriend. (You could also get your an engagement ring with her birthstone on it.) Prices range depending on the type of gemstone, but are typically around a few hundred dollars.

Ruby Engagement Rings usually come in red or some variant thereof, and come in a number of different styles and varieties. Prices of these engagement rings vary from around $100 to over $1,000.

Cheap Diamond Engagement Rings do exist, and with a little homework they're easy to find without breaking your ring budget. Diamond engagement rings are the most popular type of engagement rings by far, so prices, styles and varieties can differ greatly. It's fairly easy to find a diamond engagement ring within your price range, but you'll have to decide what ring qualities you're willing to live without in order to keep the price down.

Celtic Engagement Rings offer the unique looks and style that only Ireland can offer. These engagement rings usually have a knotted style and, like gemstone rings, are rich in culture, heritage and tradition. Prices vary widely here, from a few thousand dollars down to under $100.

Once you know what type of engagement ring budget you've got and what type of engagement ring you want to buy, you're ready to start planning the romantic proposal!

Take a look at the non-spammy links at the bottom of this hub for some great proposal ideas.