Updated 11/6/24
When it comes to exploring engagement ring styles, modern bride and grooms want to find a fusion of elegance, craftsmanship, and affordability. Luckily, at Scott’s Custom Jewelers, all of these options awaits!
In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 affordable engagement rings both you and your partner will love. From classic designs to contemporary styles, there’s something for every budget and personal taste.
1. Solitaire Rings
The classic, solitaire engagement ring is the “gold standard” amongst jewelers, making it a timeless style. Simple and elegant, this style features one gem on a plain band.
At Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we’re setting half of our solitaires in 14k yellow gold, with the other half divided between 14k white, platinum and rose gold. There are tons of options you and your partner can choose from!
Of course, the most cost-effective option is reusing a family diamond in the setting, but lab grown diamonds are also a great idea! Lab diamonds generally cost 80% less than mined diamonds, and have the benefit of being sustainable and conflict-free. This makes designing your own engagement ring much more affordable without sacrificing brilliance!
Interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds and how they are the most sustainable (and stunning) option for your jewelry? Download the whitepaper!
2. Three Stone Engagement Rings
Filled with meaning and romance, the timeless three stone diamond ring is another great choice for couples on a budget.
Traditionally, the three stones signify the past, present and future. Other symbols include the Trinity in Christian religions, or even the visual of two people (the side stones) becoming one unit (the center stone).
We’ve even made three stone engagement rings with diamonds on either side from each family, and a newly purchased diamond in the center to signal the next chapter in the family legacy. There’s so much meaning in these rings!
3. Vintage Inspired Engagement Rings
Many modern couples still finds themselves drawn to the allure of vintage inspired engagement rings. These exquisite pieces often boast intricate designs on the sides, scalloped edges, and delicate hand engravings or beadwork encircling the stones.
The charm of vintage rings becomes even more pronounced when reusing small, cherished, family diamonds. Scott’s Custom Jewelers uses the precision of CAD technology to create a perfectly fitted custom ring for those family jewels!
Adding a contemporary twist, the marriage of vintage and modern takes place seamlessly when some lab grown diamonds are incorporated into the piece. This not only infuses the ring with a touch of the present but also ensures a remarkably cost-effective approach.
4. Halo Rings
If you want to incorporate a family diamond, but you’re not too keen on the size or shape of the stone, a custom diamond halo engagement ring is a perfect solution.
With our personalized design process, we have the ability to craft a tight halo encircling the center stone, creating an illusion of either a bigger stone, or even a different shape all together! We’ve repurposed mom’s marquise-shaped diamond, and with a custom diamond halo, made it look like an oval style engagement ring. It’s like a wonderful play of smoke and mirrors!
5. Contemporary Engagement Ring Styles
Our Columbus jewelry store is seeing an increasing number of couples opting for modern or contemporary engagement rings. These exquisite pieces boast striking features such as bold edges and alluring asymmetrical lines, turning them into true showstoppers.
Another contemporary style involves incorporating colored gemstones into the design. These delightful pops of color infuse the ring with a playful whimsy, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
6. Gemstone Engagement Rings
Let’s talk about color! It’s fascinating how more and more modern couples are veering away from traditional diamonds and embracing the allure of colored gemstone engagement rings. Interestingly, stones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were actually the gems of choice back in the 18th and 19th century. It wasn’t until 1947, with DeBeers’ famous marketing campaign “diamonds are forever,” that diamonds took the spotlight in engagement rings.
One of our sons (we have 5 boys and 1 girl) recently designed an absolute stunner—an engagement ring featuring a captivating marquise-shaped blue sapphire as the center stone, elegantly accented with trillion-shaped diamonds. The best part? All the stones were lab grown, making this masterpiece surprisingly affordable without compromising on beauty or brilliance.
7. Oval Diamond Ring Styles
Every era has their hallmark diamond shape. Round diamonds have always been the number one stone shape for custom engagement rings, but other shapes have been associated with certain time frames.
In the 1970s, marquise shaped diamonds were the popular style to go with. The 2000s were filled with square, or princess shaped stones. And the 2020s will be know for the oval shaped diamond.
The long, lean shape of the oval looks great on every hand. Currently, we’re setting most of our oval diamonds in 14k yellow gold and they look amazing!
8. Two Stone Engagement Ring
Two stone engagement rings – also knows as “toi et moi” (you and me) – debuted over 70 years ago when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy showed off her beautiful emerald cut emerald and emerald cut diamond ring to the world. Now that trend is coming back in style!
Did you know there are no rules when it comes to designing your two stone engagement ring? We’ve made these stunning looks with couples’ birthstones, cherished family diamonds, or even a combination of a lab-grown diamond and a vibrant colored gemstone. Each design is so unique, and filled with meaning.
9. Custom Engagement Ring Styles
Most people think custom engagement rings are for those on a budget. That’s not true at all!
At Scott’s, custom engagement rings present a super affordable option, especially if you’re considering reusing diamonds from old jewelry. Not only do you get to bypass purchasing new gems by recycling your own, but we take it even further by offering the option to trade in old gold, which comes off the price of your new piece.
We use our CAD technology and 3D printers to custom design the engagement ring, all done in-house in our Dublin, Ohio jewelry store (we don’t use a third party to design like most other jewelry stores). And you can incorporate all kinds of cool features in the new piece.
Imagine having both of your initials engraved on the piece, personalizing it in a way that speaks to your unique love story. We’ve even made a beautiful piece with the silhouette of two penguins with a small diamond pebble between them, beneath the main stone, symbolizing the story of how penguins choose their mates! The possibilities are endless!
And the best part? At Scott’s, these features don’t come with additional costs—they are all part of our design process!
10. Refurbished Rings
Sometimes, the most budget-friendly and sentimental choice for an engagement ring is refurbishing or repairing a beloved family ring.
Here at Scott’s, we take pride in our full-service, in-house jewelry shop located in Columbus. With a team of three skilled and experienced jewelers and goldsmiths, equipped with the latest tools and technology, we can expertly breathe new life into that cherished “I do” heirloom!
Explore Affordable Engagement Ring Styles
When it’s time to look for engagement rings, bring your partner with you to design the perfect ring at Scott’s Custom Jewelers! Chose from one of our gorgeous, ready-made pieces, or unleash your creativity and design a unique, custom piece that symbolizes your love. Schedule an appointment today and let’s make something beautiful, together!
One of the remarkable features of a rose gold ring for couple is its versatility.