Frugal Engagement Rings 🏆 Buy It For Life

I'm going to propose to my girlfriend. I'm thinking about something in the $1000-$1500 range.

How can I find an engagement ring at a good price and not get ripped off?

EDIT: I'm just going through all the responses now, and just wanted to say thank you so much for all the input I really appreciate it!!

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u/dinkygoat Oct 21 '24

Top Tip - Talk to her first. She might have preferences or not care at all. My now-wife and I tried going ring shopping together, went to the diamond district in our city and all that. Quickly realized it wasn't for us, parked the idea to go on vacation, then covid happened. TL;DR - We skipped the whole engagement ring business altogether and she's not crying about it. We instead went a little fancier on our wedding rings that we got on Etsy, so they still weren't that expensive.

In terms of traditional engagement rings, $1-1.5k is fairly modest. That's modest for just the rock, nevermind the ring for it to go on. You could check pawn shops and other 2nd hand dealers. Rings are never and investment and lose their value faster than driving a luxury car off the lot.

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u/Great-Calendar175 Oct 21 '24 edited Oct 22 '24

Agreed. My spouse proposed with a $7 ring because it was well-known that I would be pissed if there was debt for a ring, and didn't want to wait just for a ring, and frankly find jewelry distracting. It was also pre-established that after marriage we would merge all finances, so it would be like me paying for my own ring plus interest if it was purchased on credit. It would have been stupid because of how little it mattered to me (but I understand its just my preference).

My wedding band was a few hundred dollars, made from platinum. I picked it out. My spouse picked out theirs as well. I love it and have no regrets. I actually loved the style of the $7 ring. May get a custom made one with the same style in platinum one day.

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u/Anagoth9 Oct 22 '24

Lol, same with my wife and I. Our wedding rings were $20 off Amazon and if I'd gone to her with a $1k engagement ring then I'm sure she would have broken up with me right then and there. Money went towards the wedding and honeymoon. Never heard a complain in the 10 years since.

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u/sqrrrlgrrl Oct 22 '24

Mine is rose gold plated with a small raw emerald. It looks very organic, which is my style, and cost $40. We decided the splurge would be on our wedding rings, but even then the style we both love (wood/moss agate inlay) is still under $1k for both even with really good materials. We’re just not high ticket shoppers.

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u/Great-Calendar175 Oct 22 '24

I love it! I don't begrudge people getting high ticket items if they can afford it and want it for their own enjoyment.

But keeping up with the Joneses and debt lifestyle for luxury items is foolish.