Engagement Rings Under 100 dollars : Sparkle without breaking the bank
Love shouldn’t have a hefty price tag, and, in this article, we discover engagement rings under 100 dollars. It’s possible to sparkle without breaking the bank.
Getting engaged is an exciting and special time in a couple’s life, but it can also be a stressful one when it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring. With the average cost of an engagement ring being over $5,500, many couples are looking for more affordable options.
PHOTO: While we all love natural diamond rings, there are times when a $100 engagement ring may be more sensible. Seen above is a Asscher Diamond Bridge Halo Diamond Engagement Ring In 14k Rose Gold from BLUE NILE. This ring is beautiful but costs over US$10,0000.
Why You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune
Before we dive into the options available, let’s debunk the myth that an engagement ring needs to cost a fortune. The value of an engagement ring lies not in its price tag but in the love and commitment it represents. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, and your partner will appreciate the effort you put into finding the perfect ring, regardless of its cost.
Don’t be held hostage to outdated and inflexible rules like spending 3 months’ salary on an engagement ring. Consider your personal circumstances. That money is better spent on other goals for your life together — like a house downpayment or paying off student loans or saving for kids.
Consider opting for a placeholder engagement ring while you save up for the real deal or design your dream ring as a couple. Believe it or not, the concept of the “starter ring” is on the rise.
Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful engagement rings available for under $100. Here are some options for every style and budget.
Engagement Rings Under 100 that don’t look cheap
Below we outline five options for engagement rings under $100 that don’t look cheap. These options are not ranked in any order. However, we consistently find that classic solitaire engagement ring is the most popular. One reason people love solitaire rings is because their simple and minimalistic design makes it easy to style them with wedding bands.
1. Classic Solitaire Rings
Among the options for engagement rings under 100 is the classic solitaire ring. For those who prefer a traditional and timeless look, a classic solitaire ring is the perfect choice. These rings feature a single diamond simulant or gemstone set on a simple band, allowing the stone to be the focal point.
PHOTO: Unlike other types of engagement rings, a simple solitaire engagement ring is instantly recognisable when worn on your partner’s ring finger. It proclaims, “I’m engaged”. For engagement rings less than 100 dollars, the classic solitaire is the most popular. Seen above is an artificial solitaire ring from the Luxuria® diamonds brand.
Iconic, elegant, versatile, and affordable, a solitaire engagement ring will always be in style. Because of their classic elegance and extreme focus on the center stone, solitaire engagement rings are the most popular engagement ring choice.
You can find affordable solitaire rings in a variety of metals. Setting options include 925 sterling silver, 14k or 18k gold plating over silver and gold vermeil. We recommend you avoid super cheap engagement rings. You can find some US$10 rings on Amazon but these tend to use a non-precious base metal with thin plating. Not only will the thin plating not last, the base metal may cause skin irritations. Ouch!
That said, the solitaire is hard to beat for a simple but elegant engagement ring under 100 dollars.
2. Lab-Created Gemstone Rings
Another great option for cheap engagement rings under 100 dollars is lab created gemstone rings.
Lab-grown gemstones are the stunning, ethical, and affordable alternative to earth-mined gems. By recreating the earth’s natural process in a controlled lab environment, precious gemstones such as Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires can be created. The lab created gemstones are chemically and optically identical to naturally created mined ones. But conflict free lab-grown gemstones are typically priced at only 5% of a mined gemstone.
PHOTO: Lab created emerald, sapphire and ruby gemstones are indistinguishable to natural ones. For engagement rings under 100 dollars, they really stand out and are a hardy option. Seen above is a lab created emerald engagement ring.
lab-created gemstones have better clarity because they don’t contain natural inclusions and color inconsistencies. These synthetic gems have gained popularity in the jewelry industry due to their affordability, consistent quality, and availability in a wide range of sizes and colors. They are often indistinguishable from natural gemstones to the naked eye and require specialized gemological equipment to differentiate them.
The affordable price of lab created gemstones means engagement rings under 100 dollars can be created using them. A colored lab gemstone engagement ring under 100 dollars is a great deal. It will look just as stunning as their natural counterpart but at a fraction of the cost.
3. Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Ring
When looking at options for Engagement rings under 100 dollars silver and cubic zirconia readily come to mind.
Leading diamond authority GIA notes that soon after it was first marketed in 1976, colorless cubic zirconia became the dominant diamond imitation. Cubic zirconia is classified as a diamond simulant and was designed to imitate diamond. A diamond simulant is a stone that looks similar to natural diamond but is chemically different. Natural and lab-grown diamonds are made of carbon, while cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The cubic part of the name comes from the fact that the stone has a cubic crystalline form. Diamonds also have a cubic crystalline form, so cubic zirconia is a great diamond lookalike.
PHOTO: Because of its close visual likeness to diamond, CZ is the number one diamond simulant. CZ can come in a variety of colors too. Fancy pink diamond? An option for an engagement ring under 100 dollars is the pink CZ engagement ring above.
Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to engagement rings. Cubic zirconia is one of the better options if you’re on a very strict budget like a $100 engagement ring. In fact, prices for good quality silver and cz engagement rings start at just $50. At this price point you can affordably replace your low cost engagement rings every year.
Here’s a tip, if you want your silver engagement ring to last longer buy one which has rhodium plating. Rhodium is a precious metal – like gold, silver, or platinum – only more expensive. Being harder than both silver and gold, rhodium makes an excellent protective coat that shields jewelry from scratches. Moreover, rhodium plating is also a good recommendation for customers who suffer from metal allergies. This is because rhodium is hypoallergic.
4. 14k gold Vermeil Rings
Yet another idea for engagement rings under 100 dollars is 14k or 18k gold vermeil engagement rings?
What is gold vermeil jewelry? Gold vermeil is a type of jewelry that combines the luxury of gold with the affordability of sterling silver. Gold vermeil, pronounced “ver-may,” consists of a 925 silver base metal which is coated with a thick layer of gold. The FTC (USA) regulates the specific criteria’s including the minimum purity and thickness of the gold.
PHOTO: In the realm of gold jewelry, gold vermeil is the best quality jewelry you can get short of buying solid gold. In the $100 engagement ring category, a gold vermeil ring is a luxurious option. Seen above is 14k gold vermeil ring from Luxuria® Diamonds.
Some of the best engagement rings under $100 are gold vermeil ones. Gold vermeil offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for low cost engagement rings.
The first benefit is affordability. Compared to solid gold jewelry, gold vermeil offers a more budget-friendly alternative without compromising on style or quality. Engagement rings under 100 dollars are not available in solid gold.
The second benefit is durability. The thick layer of gold plating and the sterling silver base make gold vermeil jewelry highly durable. With proper care a gold vermeil $100 engagement ring can withstand everyday wear and last for a long time.
The final benefit is gold vermeil’s luxurious appearance. Gold vermeil jewelry gives you the luxurious look of solid gold without the price tag.
5. Halo Rings
Halo rings have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. These rings feature a center stone surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds or diamond simulants giving the illusion of a larger and more sparkly ring. Halo engagement rings under 100 dollars are available in various styles and metal options. This allows you to find the perfect one to match your partner’s personality.
PHOTO: Engagement rings less than 100 dollars include halo rings. Usually set in silver and with diamond simulant their popularity has endured.
The most popular halo setting is a circular halo surrounding a round center stone. However other stone and halo shapes can be just as striking, like the emerald cut ring seen above and below.
PHOTO: An emerald cut cubic zirconia ring with halo from the Luxuria jewelry brand. A halo ring is a favourite in the engagement rings under 100 dollar category. This is because it is so admired for its extraordinary brilliance.
While halo rings are very trendy right now, they’ve actually been around for a long time – centuries, in fact. The style dates back to the Georgian Era (1714-1837). Back then, however, the halo was made of round diamonds or pearls that were only slightly smaller than the center stone. Today halo’s are usually very small round stones.
The Victorian era (1837-1901) saw an increase in popularity in halo styles. During this time, the center stone was usually a colored gem, such as a sapphire or ruby. Today’s halo styles are very similar to the “classic” halos of the Art Deco period.
Halo engagements rings under 100 dollars are readily available and still hint of a vintage vibe!
Engagement rings under $100 – Which is for you?
Above we have identified five different options for engagement rings under 100 dollars? Which is for you? Here are some things to think about.
First, round solitaire engagement rings are by far the most popular. Indeed, for many couples this is the only choice. The striking solitaire has long been a favorite when it comes to engagement rings and while some design trends come and go, the solitaire is here to stay. The reasons for round solitaires popularity are not hard to understand. A round-cut is cone-shaped to maximize light return through the top of the diamond and looks stunning in every type of setting. They are always suitable for all hand shapes and sizes.
PHOTO: There are many beautiful engagement ring options below US$100. However, we recommend avoiding large stones. The reason is smaller diamond simulants look more realistic than larger ones. This is especially true for large Moissanite stones where an accentuated ‘rainbow effect’ is a dead giveaway. [Photo Credit: Shutterstock]
Second, when searching for an engagement ring under 100 dollars, choose one with modest size stones. Why? The reason is low cost engagement rings use imitation diamond. In most cases, the larger the stone, the more obvious it is that it’s fake. Moreover, larger size stones have larger surface areas. This increases their chances of snagging on clothing or being scratched or damaged. In short engagement rings under 100 dollars which use smaller stones will look more real. They also tend to look better for longer too.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there’s no shortage of design inspiration for engagement rings under 100 dollars. And while round-cut diamonds are consistently the most popular, more couples are experimenting with styles that are as unique as they are.
With all these options for affordable engagement rings under $100, we hope you can find the perfect ring to symbolize your love without breaking the bank.
Remember, the most important thing is the love and commitment behind the ring, not the price tag. Happy shopping!
About Us and Further Reading
Luxuria Diamonds is a designer and marketer of diamond simulant rings and colored gemstone engagement rings. Luxuria is a professional member of the International Gemological Society (IGS), USA.
Interested in reading more about cheap engagement rings? Check out this comprehensive blog on cheap engagement rings for women.
To learn more about Luxuria® Diamonds please visit our Luxuria Brand page.
