After pondering for hours, you have finally decided to set aside a specific amount to buy the engagement ring. Still, it leaves you begging the question, is $2,000 enough to spend on an engagement ring? This read will help you find the answer along with clearing all the related doubts you may have.
While you may not be able to purchase a grand solitaire, you can definitely get a beautiful engagement ring for $2,000. All you need to do is consider the various aspects of a diamond ring, such as the metal, carat weight, shape, and color.
Does it sound confusing? Well, that’s where we come in. We will tell you every factor you need to consider to get the best value from your $2,000 budget. Rest assured, you’ll bag a great deal by the end of this helpful guide.
Can You Get a Nice Engagement Ring for 2000?
Yes, you can get a stunning engagement ring for under $2,000. You have a wide range of choices, including the classic solitaire, rings with ornate side stones, halo designs, and modern looks.
You may have heard that you need to spend 2-3 months’ worth of your pay on an engagement ring. Well, that does not apply here at all. A $2,000 budget is just fine.
For example, this beautiful platinum diamond engagement ring setting for $1,390 and this 0.30-carat round cut diamond for $261 make for a perfectly elegant ring. And the final price comes up to $1,651, which is well under your budget.
In such a case, you can also choose a heavier diamond like this 0.45-carat round cut diamond. It costs around $604, bringing up the final price of the ring to $1,994. It brings the total diamond carat weight of the ring to 0.60 carats.
How Big of a Diamond Can You Get for $2,000?
If you choose a minimal yet elegant 14k white gold solitaire ring setting, it will cost $240. That gives you enough budget to pick a large, heavy diamond. For example, this 0.60-carat round diamond costs $1,720. It brings your total to $1,960, which is well within your budget.
Still, how big is a 0.60-carat diamond, you may wonder. Here is a list of the different diamonds for 5 common shapes you can get under $2000.
Diamond Size Chart in the $2000 Range
Shape | Carat Weight |
Cushion | 0.89 |
Asscher | 0.81 |
Oval | 0.80 |
Marquise | 0.80 |
Emerald | 0.80 |
Radiant | 0.79 |
Princess | 0.77 |
Round | 0.72 |
Pear | 0.71 |
Heart | 0.66 |
Note: The size chart states the maximum carat weight of diamonds you can bag under $2000. These diamonds are of a good or very good cut, VVS2 to VVS1 clarity grade, and J to E color.
You can always pick a bigger diamond belonging to the lower categories of cut, clarity, and color grades within $2000 itself.
Examples of Diamond Sizes and Shapes in this Price Range
The diamond-size chart mentioned above gives you a fair idea about the common sizes and shapes of diamonds. Emerald, Pear, Asscher, Marquise, and Heart are 5 other common diamond shapes that you will come across.
Let us get to a few examples of diamonds you can choose for an engagement ring within $2000.
- This .72-carat princess diamond features an ideal cut and adequate levels of color and clarity.
- The .88-carat Marquise cut diamond is elegant and stunning. It features VS2 clarity and a very good cut.
- This .66-carat Asscher cut diamond has a very good cut and VVS1 clarity.
What Characteristics to Look for in a Diamond Under $2000
Now that you know that you can get a ring under $2,000, it’s time for the next step. When selecting the final ring, you will come across terms like diamond cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
These are some of the major factors affecting the final look and value of a diamond ring.
- Diamond Cut: This refers to the finesse with which the diamond is cut into its final shape. The higher the quality, the better impact it has on the appearance of the diamond. Ideally, you must choose diamonds with a cut quality of Ideal or Excellent cut grade.
- Clarity Grade: While the cut holds a lot of importance, the clarity grade is secondary. It refers to the visibility and presence of blemishes on the diamond. You can look for a piece with an “eye-clean” grade to avoid an additional price hike. The range between VS2 – VS1 is ideal for this budget.
- Color: The higher the color grade is, the more colorless a diamond will look. Pieces with a low color grade may give off a yellow shade. Your best bet is to pick a color grade that appears white. You must aim for any grade at or above ‘J,’ that includes J to E.
- Carat Weight: As simple as it can get, the carat weight refers to the weight of the diamond. The larger the diamond, the higher its carat weight. You can pick a diamond weighing anywhere between 0.65 to 0.75 to pair it up with a low-cost ring setting.
While you cannot perfect each factor, paying attention to the important ones can do the tricks. Focus on the diamond cut and the carat weight to ensure the diamond look timelessly beautiful and chic.
What Setting Type and Metal Should you Get?
When it comes to the ring’s design, you will come across different types of ring settings. It primarily refers to the metal walls that secure the diamond pieces.
- Prong: It is the most classic setting where two or more prongs (metal pieces) secure a stone in place.
- Shared Prong: In rings with multiple stones lined adjacently, one prong secures two adjacent stones.
- Channel: It is used in bands with stones placed side by side without any metal walls in between.
- Bar Channel: This is a more secure setting with metal walls on each side of the stone.
- Pave: This is a unique setting type where multiple stones are placed next to each other using beads.
- Bezel: Another unique setting, this style includes a metal rim surrounding the diamond.
According to GIA, the metal can significantly impact the color appearance of your diamond ring. There are multiple factors to consider while choosing the metal, including the final cost, diamond size, etc.
- Gold: You may choose yellow, white, or rose gold as the metals will reflect warm yellow, cool white, or rose pink color to the diamond. Remember that while the percentage of pure gold (14k, 18k, or 24k) determines the cost, white and rose gold often have other metals. As a result, their prices may vary slightly.
- Platinum: A platinum ring will significantly heighten the icy color of the diamond. However, it is the most expensive metal on the list and will cut down your budget for the diamond.
- Silver: Silver rings usually do not house large diamonds. Still, these bands give off a subtle hue to the diamond. In most cases, you will find a ring setting with a good blend of silver and gold at an optimal range. This will certainly be cheaper than platinum and pure gold rings.
Tips for Staying in a $2,000 Budget
That was a lot of information to grasp for a first-timer, and we completely understand that. That is why we bring you a list of tips for staying well on a 2000 dollar budget.
Stick to Lower Carat Weight of about 0.60 to 0.75 Carat
The carat weight of a diamond has a large impact on its price. Keeping other characteristics secondary yet in focus, you can easily bag a ring within the 0.60-0.75 carat range. Remember that going higher than this will exceed the price range, and you will also pay extra for clarity and color.
Get a Diamond with a Valid GIA or AGS Certificate
The finest quality diamonds are all sent to a gemological lab for grading. Make sure to buy a diamond with a GIA or AGS certificate, as it guarantees its authenticity and quality.
Opt for Pavé, Solitaire, and Side Stone Settings
While you do not have a high budget, you can still get a beautiful ring for your fiancé-to-be. Choosing either pavé, side stone, or halo settings will make it stand out from the ordinary rings. At the same time, solitaire is a classic, and it allows you to pick a bigger diamond in the same range.
Where To Buy A 2000 Engagement Ring?
The best mode to purchase a $2000 engagement ring is through a trusted online jewelry store. James Allen and Blue Nile are among the most reliable stores for beautiful and elegant engagement rings.
James Allen
One of the most reliable online stores for the ideal diamond ring, James Allen has topped the industry for years. From its excellent customer service to high standards of quality assurance, it will meet all your expectations.
What we love about James Allen is its easy user layout. You can navigate through the endless options, pick a diamond that meets your requirements and choose a beautiful ring setting to go. Besides, they offer a hassle-free return policy so you can shop without any worries.
Blue Nile
It is one of the best online stores offering an exquisite range of jewelry, including beautiful engagement rings. What makes them stand out is their exotic variety of diamonds and competitive prices.
The website is easy to navigate, and you will absolutely love the ring settings offered. Besides, Blue Nile offers some amazing benefits like free shipping, lifetime warranty, gift cards, and easy returns. You will also get your hands on the latest designs on the site to stay in line with the trend!
Related Questions
Is a $2,000 engagement ring cheap?
Not at all. A $2,000 engagement ring is considered well within the average range of rings. Besides, with considerable monthly expenses, a ring costing less than $2,500 is considered ideal by millennials and Gen-Zers.
What kind of engagement ring can I get for $2,000?
With a budget of $2,000, you can get an elegant diamond engagement ring. You can choose a fancy diamond shape such as Marquise or princess to make it unique. Alternatively, opt for a high-end ring setting like pave for a stunning ring. Here are a few examples.
- Petite Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring (14k Rose Gold; 0.45 carat)
- Pavé Halo Cabled Diamond Engagement Ring (14K White Gold; 0.45 carat)
Choosing Your Engagement Ring
Choosing the perfect engagement ring under $2000 for your future partner can certainly be confusing. You need to bear in mind the type of setting and carat weight while keeping the color, diamond cut, and clarity in check.
While that is a long list, this guide provides everything you need to know.
- Visit a credible online store like James Allen or Blue Nile
- Pick a chic diamond shape like MarquiseMarquise or oval, or choose classics like round or princess
- Keep the carat weight ranging between 0.60-0.75 and ideal or excellent cut
- Pick a unique ring setting that fits in the remaining budget
Well, that pretty much sums it all. Easy, right?
It is perfectly possible to pick a stunning diamond engagement ring with a budget of $2,000. Use our tips and recommendations, and make the ideal pick for your perfect partner!