15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (2024)

Engagement Rings

Have a limit on how much to spend for an engagement ring? These designer diamond rings are beautiful and budget-friendly.

By Jill Newman |

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (1)

There is a new conversation around diamond engagement rings. It’s no longer just about carat weight and the 4Cs (clarity, cut, color and carat)—today’s brides want designs that reflect their personal style and values.

For some couples that means artisan-style rings that have a personal touch, while for others it’s about low-profile designs that fit into their active lifestyles.

Even more, it’s about a shared ethos: couples are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly and socially minded designers and brands.

We just made the ring search easier with our list of the 15 best diamond engagement rings—all under $5,000.

Marrow by Jillian Sassone

Instagram has proven to be one of the most influential tools for brides-to-be and couples who are searching social media for ring styles and designers whose aesthetic matches theirs. It’s what’s driving Marrow’s ring business, says its designer and founder Jillian Sassone. “Couples find me on social media and start asking questions, and often they buy a ring without ever seeing it,” she says.

In the under $5,000 range, Marrow offers a selection of antique diamonds removed from vintage tiaras and Edwardian necklaces set in new designs. “There’s something romantic about stones that were cut over a century ago, and knowing they’ve been worn by someone else.” Some brides are opting for diamond bands (she has over 70 styles) over solitaire engagement rings, and black diamonds are also an affordable option for women who want an edgy and distinctive ring.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (4)
15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (5)

Jennie Kwon

“Our customers connect with our values and our message,” says Los Angeles-based designer Jennie Kwon, who uses only ethically sourced and conflict-free stones and fairmined and fairtrade gold and produces her jewelry in local workshops.

Kwon’s rings portray an artistic and antique spirit due to the fine hand millgrain and delicate bead work featured on many of her designs. She also creates bespoke rings and will reimagine a client’s family diamond into their dream ring.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (8)
15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (9)

Ylang23

Couples come to Ylang23 to discover unique designer rings, like Selim Mouzannar’s minimalist diamond and enamel rings, Anna Sheffield’s rings with antique stones or Ruta Reifen’s rough diamond designs. “Alternative rings are mainstream today,” says Joanne Teichman, Managing Director of Ylang23. The Dallas-based jewelry business says more couples are choosing artistic diamond bands from Cathy Waterman and Suzanne Kalan over solitaire rings. Several designers also work with clients to create custom pieces and can within a budget.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (10)
15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (11)

Ruth Tomlinson

Ruth Tomlinson’s handmade rings feature a mix of unusual diamonds, including antique, rough, colored and flecked stones and recycled gold. Inspired by the finely detailed jewels of the past, the London-based designer creates pieces that appear as if they have been passed down for generations. “I’m also inspired by nature and the way things grow,” she explains. “Since diamonds and gold come from the earth, I want to combine them in harmonious designs, so it appears the gold is almost growing around the stone.”

The mainstays of the designer’s collection are all under $5,000, and she also works with clients in London and the United States via Zoom to create custom designs.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (12)
15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (13)

Valerie Madison

Valerie Madison offers unique engagement ring designs using conflict-free diamonds. “The most important thing is to have a stone and setting that fits our clients’ tastes and is strong enough to withstand everyday wear.”

Madison offers a range of rings, from antique and rough stone to minimalist designs, and also creates custom models that can fall under the $5,000 range.

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AZLEE

ĀZLEE has attracted a high-profile celebrity following for its unusually cut diamonds, including shield, kite and lozenge stones that are set in modern and effortlessly wearable gold designs. Owner Baylee Ann Zwart says clients often find her designs on Instagram, and then work with her on custom pieces. Among the most popular trends she sees are wider gold bands with smaller diamonds, which are especially appealing for today’s active lifestyle.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (15)
15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (16)

Brilliant Earth

The hot engagement trends at Brilliant Earth are elongated fancy shaped diamonds—oval, pear and marquise—set in yellow gold, says Kathryn Money, Brilliant Earth’s Senior Vice President. “These shapes are especially flattering on the finger,” she points out, and she explains that high-profile celebrity engagements (such as Paris Hilton’s recent engagement with an elongated emerald cut stone) often inspire greater demand for a style.

It’s all about options at Brilliant Earth: Stacking contoured diamond bands is another way that brides are expressing their individuality, and more couples are looking for gender fluid rings, which tend to have fewer or smaller stones and are more affordable.

15 Diamond Engagement Rings Under $5,000 (2024)

FAQs

Is $5,000 reasonable for an engagement ring? ›

Whether $5000 is considered a lot for an engagement ring depends on individual perspectives and financial circumstances. In general, it's a reasonable budget that provides a variety of attractive options.

How many carats can you get for $5000? ›

A $5,000 can get you a beautiful, high-quality diamond and setting. You can easily buy a 2-carat lab diamond or in some cases even a 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond ring with this budget.

Is $15000 too much for an engagement ring? ›

There is an old rule that is known as a guide for purchasing an engagement ring. This rule is that you plan on spending three months net salary on an engagement ring. That means that if you were employed making $60,000 per year, you would be expected to pay $15,000 for an engagement ring.

What size diamond can you get for $6000? ›

Diamond Prices

For example, the cost of a one carat diamond can range from just $1,500 to more than $16,000 for an extremely well-cut, high-quality diamond, while a two carat diamond could cost as little as $6,000 or as much as $80,000 based on its shape, cut, clarity and color grades.

How many carats is a $5000 ring? ›

So, for $5000, you can get a high-quality natural diamond engagement ring between 1-1.50 carats at Angara. However, with a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, the same design is available but with an over 2-carat stone.

What is a realistic budget for an engagement ring? ›

While $5,500 is the national average cost of a ring, the spend per couple varies. Our study found that nearly half of all respondents are spending between $1,000 to $4,000 on their engagement ring. In fact, 9% of ring shoppers are spending under $1,000.

How many carats can $20 K buy? ›

The actual dimensions of a diamond and its apparent size can vary significantly depending on its shape and cut quality. A diamond appropriate for 75% of a $20k engagement budget could range from 1 to 2.50 carats, or even higher, depending on the shape, and how it's graded in other areas.

How many carats is impressive? ›

When asked, most women will say that a 2-carat engagement ring is big. If she were to see what we can do with 2-carats of diamonds she'd be very impressed! The central diamond's average size in an engagement ring is around 0.9 carats with a total diamond weight of about 1.3 carats.

How many carats can you get for $4000? ›

0.90 Carats

Expect to spend around $3,000 to $4,000 for a well-cut round 0.90-ct diamond.

How much should I spend on a ring if I make 100k? ›

Three months' salary looks very different for different people. Think about it. If you make $100,000 a year, you're supposed to spend $25,000 on an engagement ring. If you make $200,000, the ring clocks in at $50,0000.

What is the three salary rule for engagement rings? ›

One of the most infamous wedding etiquette rules revolves around how many months' salary one should spend on the engagement ring. It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse.

How many carats is a $10000 engagement ring? ›

If you're looking for an engagement ring under $10,000 then I would recommend that you go with something around 0.90-1-carat and 1.5-carat stones depending on your budget and what quality of diamond suits it best! A 2-carat diamond or slightly bigger diamond may be possible if the grade isn't too high.

What is a respectable diamond size? ›

Having said that, a good diamond size will solely depend on your preferences. A 1, 1.25, or 1.50-carat diamond ring will be the best choice if size does not matter to you. However, if you are looking for something bigger, a 2 or 3-carat diamond ring is a good pick.

Do lab grown diamonds hold their value? ›

From a monetary standpoint, however, your lab grown diamonds aren't going to hold very much value after they are taken out of the store. Almost all diamonds you buy will drop in price once worn, but lab grown diamonds are particularly susceptible to losing value after purchase.

What is the most purchased diamond size? ›

What is the most popular carat size for engagement rings? While engagement ring preferences vary depending on the person or current trends, the average engagement ring carat size is about one carat.

Is $6,000 too much for an engagement ring? ›

Average cost of an engagement ring

That's also where the average cost of a wedding is high. Midwestern couples spent the least, averaging around $5,200 for a ring. And despite the $6,000 national average, about 1 in 3 couples spent between $1,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring.

How much should I spend on an engagement ring with 100k salary? ›

Three months' salary looks very different for different people. Think about it. If you make $100,000 a year, you're supposed to spend $25,000 on an engagement ring. If you make $200,000, the ring clocks in at $50,0000.

Is $10 000 enough for an engagement ring? ›

Perhaps one that offers a bit more than just a diamond? If so, then $10,000 is an excellent budget to work with. You may have heard by now that $10,000 engagement rings are becoming more and more popular. The average of spending $5,000 on your engagement ring may soon be a thing of the past.

Is $3000 too little for an engagement ring? ›

Millennials spend about $3,000 on engagement rings rather than the average amount of $5,000. High-class individual spends $20,000 or more on their engagement ring, and this often drives the average engagement ring cost upward.

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