Are you ready to take the next step in your relationship? Whether you’ve been together for a while now or not, you’ll just need to check if you’re emotionally and financially ready to get married. It seems easy, but it’s not.
But before you hear the wedding bells and say “I do”, take half a step and enter the world of being engaged. An engagement is an official announcement that you’re both ready to get married. So what now?
First, you’ll need to buy an engagement ring and propose. For some people, it’s easy to get a ring and get down on one knee. However, if you don’t have enough money or just making sure that the wedding will be great, then there’s nothing bad about setting a budget for the engagement ring.
Sure, a pink diamond ring would be a masterpiece, but you have your entire life together to achieve better things. So if you’re looking for ideas on how to buy an engagement ring on a budget, then you should check the list below!
1. Use cheaper materials
If you or your partner have a dream engagement ring, you can just use it as an inspiration and create a cheaper version. For instance, if she adores a certain Argyle pink diamond ring, you can think of another interpretation using the materials you can afford.
When choosing affordable engagement ring materials, you should also consider the consequences like if they’re easy tarnishing or delicate. So while you’re being practical, you should also be wise in choosing pieces that will last.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet non-tarnishing ring band, you should go with silver. Unlike other cheaper bands, this will last if well taken care of.
2. Buy a second-hand ring
Argyle pink diamond rings can be one of the most sought-after for engagements. However, it costs a lot when it’s brand new, especially customised.
So ask yourself, does an engagement ring need to be brand new? Think about the heirlooms. They’re not brand new, but the value is even higher. In your case, if you’re looking for an affordable option you can just buy a second-hand ring.
If you do thorough research, you’ll be able to find a trustworthy shop near you. Look for antique stores, pawnshops, and online stores that specialise in second-hand jewelry. You can find the best affordable ring with patience and good haggling skills.
Meanwhile, there are a few downsides to this option. First, you’ll need to have the ring checked by a professional and trustworthy jeweller. Next, you don’t have that many variations to choose from.
3. Opt for a simple design
If you don’t have a design in mind, you can still have the Argyle pink diamond or any diamond ring with a minimalist design. Instead of choosing a halo or a pavé setting, just go with the solitaire.
The solitaire ring setting is the simplest design of the engagement ring. It’s composed of a ring band and a centre diamond (or any other stone) mounted on prongs. However, it doesn’t have to be a big diamond, and you can pick the size depending on the price you can afford.
If you about the 4Cs of diamonds, you probably know that they shouldn’t be considered equally when picking a diamond. Sometimes, when you already have the perfect cut, the carat, colour, and clarity are not too important, especially if you’re on a budget.
4. Use different stones
Are you up for considering different stones for the engagement ring aside from diamonds? An engagement ring with multiple stones seems far from being affordable, but it is.
Imagine, if you’re going to buy one big Argyle pink diamond, it would be more expensive than multiple different stones. Additionally, you can be as creative as possible. For instance, you can buy different stones with the same colour scheme, and arrange their settings based on your preference.
So instead of focusing on creating an all-diamond engagement ring, you can just buy a piece of diamond, and the rest can be amethyst and quartz.
5. Buy a cheap one and replace it later
Nowadays, practicality can be seen as a positive act. So you shouldn’t be shy to admit that you can’t afford expensive things right now. Instead, you can promise to make up for it later.
As for the engagement ring, you can buy a starter ring now, and just promise your partner that you’ll replace it later on. It can be before or after the wedding, but just make sure that you’ll do as you promise.
When it comes to choosing the starter ring, you can pick the sign and style based on your budget. Don’t worry, as there are still a lot of variations to choose from when shopping for an engagement ring starter.
6. Repurpose existing jewelry
Do you have a piece of jewelry that’s been in the box for quite some time now? Then you should repurpose it, and turn it into an engagement ring!
It would be cheaper to customise an existing piece of jewelry instead of buying a brand new one. Besides, it may have an underlying meaning or sentimental value, so it would be more meaningful to propose with a ring made from it.
However, customising jewelry can take a while, so it’s best to bring it to your trusted jeweller weeks before you propose.
People may have different views and comments about the main purpose of an engagement ring. However, what’s important is that you and your partner know what your relationship stands for. So whether you have an affordable or expensive engagement ring, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re there for each other.
Don’t forget to share some ideas about finding affordable engagement rings by leaving a comment below!
