You have found that special someone you want to be with for eternity. But before you go too far, you first need an engagement ring. You have seen guides online telling you how much you should spend, but you wonder – is it possible to buy an engagement ring for 2000 dollars or less?
Absolutely. At Clean Origin, we have put together a definitive guide to help you search for engagement rings for that soon bride-to-be on a $2000 budget. Read on if you want to learn more!
How Much Should I Spend on an Engagement Ring?
There are various “rules of thumb” about how much one should spend on an engagement ring.
Some people believe you should spend at least a sum equivalent to two months of salary – if you are making $45,000, then your budget should be $7,500. Others will say that it needs to be three months instead – so your budget would have to be $11,250.
These systems for estimating your engagement ring have become popular as they make it simple for customers to calculate how much to spend on their engagement rings. However, the truth is that these systems are outdated and should only serve as general guidelines.
According to a recent study by Brides, a newly-engaged couple spent an average of $3,756 on their engagement ring in 2020. With that in mind, it is not far-fetched to think its possible to find a great engagement ring for 2000 dollars or lower.
The better alternative is to consider your lifestyle choices and the disposable income available after factoring debt and expenses into your budgeting plan.
Can I Get a Good Engagement Ring for $2000?
Of course! Finding the ring of their dreams while spending less than $2000 may sound unrealistic, but that is not necessarily the case.
With more control than ever, you can select the best combination of elements for your ring that will provide you with a beautiful and unique engagement ring – without spending tons of money on it!
Factors That Contribute to the Price of Engagement Rings
Many factors determine the costs of engagement rings, but the main ones would be the 4Cs – Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight – as well as the shape of the diamonds, whether they are purchased in-store or online, and their source of origin. If you are looking for an engagement ring for 2000 dollars or less, then keep the following in mind:
Cut
The cut of a diamond directly affects the sparkle and how shiny it will appear. It also determines the overall durability of the stone.
A diamond cut is one aspect of your engagement ring where it is highly recommended not to cut corners. If you purchase poor cut diamonds, they will be uneven and dull, and you do not want that at all.
Clean Origin only carries Excellent, Very Good, and Good Cut round diamonds. When you shop with us, any diamond you select will shine bright and sparkle brilliantly.
Clarity
Stones have a clarity grade that indicates how free of natural inclusions they are. These are the minor imperfections found in all diamonds.
Instead of using up a large portion of your budget on the clarity of a diamond, let your eyes be the judge and confirm if there are any significant differences.
For example, a one-carat diamond with VVS2 clarity compared to another one-carat diamond with VS1 clarity grade may look just as clean. However, you would notice a significant price difference due to their price per carat.
Color
The GIA diamond color grading scale reflects how much tint is in your diamond. Whether they are formed deep down under the surface or in a lab, traces of other elements can be found within a diamond. These color grades determine the price of a diamond and the engagement ring itself.
However, similar to a diamond’s clarity, color grades can be hard to distinguish. Not everyone can differentiate a diamond with a color grade E from another diamond with a color grade H.
The only perceivable difference between the two, all else equals, is that the diamond with the higher color grade will have a higher price.
Carat Weight
Carat weight is simply that – the weight of a diamond. This can easily skyrocket the price of your engagement ring. The heavier the diamond, the more expensive a ring will be.
There is a common misconception that carat weight is how big a diamond is. While it does affect the size of a diamond, a diamond of lesser carat weight can seem larger relative to a diamond of a higher carat weight. That is because of the diamond shapes.
Diamond Shape
You can save a significant amount of money by choosing specific diamond shapes.
A round diamond is the most expensive diamond shape since it reflects the most light and shines the brightest. Emerald cut diamonds, on the other hand, have a different light performance due to their shallow shape and step-cut faceting.
However, that style also makes them appear bigger than a round diamond. One thing to keep in mind when choosing diamond shapes like an emerald cut or Asscher cut is to select those with higher clarity and color grades.
Origin
Where your diamond is sourced from also plays a big role in the price of your engagement ring.
Mined diamonds, as the name implies, come from mining – the traditional method of producing diamonds. These diamonds are extracted from the Earth only after heavy machinery, explosives, hydraulic equipment, and other harsh methods are used to dig deep below the surface.
A lab created diamond replicates the natural diamond growing process inside a lab using cutting-edge technology. The result? A diamond that is chemically, physically, and optically the same as a mined diamond.
So what’s the difference? Lab diamond prices can be anywhere between 20-40% less expensive than natural diamond jewelry. That is one of the reasons why at Clean Origin you can create a special engagement ring for 2000 dollars or less.
In-Store vs. Online
One last thing to note when buying your engagement ring is whether you do so at a retail store or online.
Due to their differences in business models, online retailers can offer a diamond that is the same quality as those offered by chain mall retailers for up to 50% of the price.
At Clean Origin, we have a vast online selection of engagement rings for you to browse through, and showrooms all around the country for you to visit. With us, there is no doubt you’ll be able to find an engagement ring for 2000 dollars or less.
Shopping for a $2000 Engagement Ring
At Clear Origin, we offer an extensive selection of engagement rings under $2,000 for you to choose from. Below you’ll find an assortment of our most popular engagement rings.
Rose Gold Simple Elegance Solitaire Ring
This classic solitaire with a 14k rose gold band has a modern, smooth setting with detached outer shoulders and an exterior band.
Shannon Ring
The Shannon Ring has a 14k white gold band that ties together this uniquely shaped ring. This is sure to appeal to a person with confidence and a self-assured sense of style.
Classic 3 Stone Ring
Donning a yellow gold band, this Classic 3 Stone ring with tapered band features a cluster of three stunning lab-created diamonds. If you like the look of more than one diamond, you might also consider a two stone engagement ring.
Collette Halo Ring
With a halo adorning the center stone, the Collette Halo Ring features stunning petals of lab-created diamonds that layer to gently hug your chosen center stone.
Concerto Ring
This stunning ring features lab created diamonds and milgrain edges that encircle the center diamond for a dramatic look.
Petite Floating Gem Ring
The Petite Floating Gen Ring features a brilliant row of hand set lab created diamonds that sparkle and extend half way around the finger.
None of them check all the boxes? Don’t worry! We have plenty more in our online store!
Should I Buy An Engagement Ring on a $2000 Budget?
There is a long-standing belief that you should spend a lot of money on engagement rings and that the money figure represents how much you love that person.
Younger generations, starting with millennials, have begun to challenge that narrative of the past. It makes sense; their generation has dealt with high living costs and debt. When you also consider that millennials tend to spend less on material possessions and instead opt for experiences in the present, such as their wedding and honeymoons, the thought process of buying engagement rings has started to change.
With the ever-increasing number of options available when searching for that perfect piece, you no longer need to spend a large amount of money to find an engagement ring with style and glamour. As Gen Z continues to grow, this trend will likely carry into the future.
Find your Dream Ring at Clean Origin
If you are looking for engagement rings for under $2000, then a lab grown diamond will be your best friend. For a fraction of the cost of a mined diamond, you can create a stunning engagement ring while being more conscious of the environment.
Our team of diamond experts is here to help you browse our extensive selection of engagement rings. Schedule a virtual appointment with one of our jewelry experts, or find a showroom near you today!