By Gary A.
Edited by Brian M.
Published Mar 12, 2022
Edited on Dec 18, 2024
When it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring under $2000, balancing beauty, quality, and value is keyâand the good news is, itâs more than possible with the right approach.
Navigate this guide:
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
Now that youâve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:
Thereâs no use in sidestepping the fact that, when it comes to engagement rings, a budget of $2,000 is on the low side. Itâs a sizeable sum of money, but itâs not going to unlock the widest array of choices.
Fortunately, you donât need to widest array of choices â you just need to find the one â and thatâs still a distinct possibility, provided youâre honest with yourself about the sort of thing $2,000 can get you â what it canât â and what you definitively donât want to fall for in the process.
Hereâs what you need to know.
The number one key to finding an excellent ring within your price range is an experienced and reputable jeweler. You donât want to pick a store at random, and find yourself being talked into upping your budget to heights youâre not comfortable with.
At WillYou.com, we cater to every individual and make sure that every diamond is hand checked by an expert in the field. Whatâs more, you are in complete control and wonât be talked into upping your budget – as you may experience if you went in-store. Visit our diamond collection to see for yourself.
Ideally representing 80% of your budget, the importance of picking the right diamond cannot be overstated. Youâll want to understand the basics of diamond value â how quality changes price, and how you can get away with buying a âlower qualityâ diamond without it looking, well, cheap.
For this, understanding the Four Cs is paramount.
Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat are all capable of creating a substantial difference between two diamonds that, if placed in front of you, probably donât look all that different.
Whatever budget youâre shopping at, you canât afford to overlook the importance of certification. The GIA is by far the most reliable and respected lab out there.
Focus on diamonds with a color grade at the lower end of the Near Colorless Range. While D, E, and F graded diamonds are the clearest, H, I, and some J color diamonds will appear virtually indistinguishable to anyone who does not consider themselves an expert on the subject. Youâll be wasting a sizeable portion of your budget on a diamond with a high color grade â but, at the same time, anything below a J color will also be a waste of money.
Again, focus your search on the lower end of the Clarity scale. SI1, SI2, and, if your diamond is on the smaller side, some I1 diamonds will appear eye clean, which is far more important than paying thousands of dollars more for a diamond that looks the same to the naked eye. Donât be afraid of a low clarity grade, provided you are shopping from a seller with rigorous diamond standards (like ours). Some online sellers have such large inventories that the visual quality of each diamond is not as good as you would want it to be.
When it comes to Cut, you canât afford to go lower than a Very Good grade. You could save a lot of money on a poor cut but, if you do, the savings will be reflected in the quality of the diamond. It may appear wonky or dull â or both.
While all the other points listed above apply to anyone shopping at any budget, carat is where youâll probably see the most sacrifice on a $2000 budget. Why? Because shoppers value bigger diamonds, and the industry prices them according to the prestige and demand for diamonds with an impressive weight, depth, and diameter.
In other words, you wonât luck your way into finding a 1 carat diamond at your price point.
Smaller diamonds arenât the dealbreaker Hollywood makes them out to be. Some women prefer them, and the elegant designs that can be used to bring out the stoneâs beauty.
Aim for the 0.65 â 0.8 carat range, and youâll find diamonds that are significantly cheaper than they are at the highly coveted 1 carat mark.
Also, spare a thought for shape. You might have already settled on the shape you want, but itâs worth remembering that some are more expensive than others. The Round Brilliant, as a result of its popularity and sparkle, is the most expensive, while cuts like the Princess, Marquise and Emerald are generally more affordable. Changing your vision could be a great way to save a little money.
Whatâs a diamond without a ring when youâre preparing to get down on one knee?
We mentioned above that youâll want to leave about 20% of your budget for the setting â which leaves you a rough âring budgetâ of $500. Again, this is pretty low, but itâs not totally out of the question.
Youâll probably need to reign in any ideas you have for accent diamonds, and youâll want to aim for a cheaper metal â 10K gold instead of 14k or 18k, and white gold (again, 10K) instead of platinum â but âbudgetâ doesnât have to mean poor quality, particularly when it comes to our own practices here at WillYou.com..
A cathedral setting is a great option for giving your ring more intrigue and height, without relying on intricate details like pavé. If thereâs room in your budget, you can achieve the illusion of a bigger center stone with a small halo setting, or, alternatively, go for the foolproof classic of the solitaire.
Again, itâs about realizing that a low budget does not mean you have to go for the bottom of the barrel.
A small budget doesnât need to derail your hopes of finding a beautiful engagement ring. While you will need to make certain sacrifices, beauty, elegance, and sentimental value are available at every pricepoint â and weâre here to help you find the one.
When considering engagement rings under $2000, itâs essential to explore the options available, as illustrated in the recent transactions table. Here, youâll find a diverse array of rings, from delicate 0.31 carat diamond pieces priced as low as $689 to more substantial 2 carat lab-grown diamonds just shy of $2,500. This variety highlights the balance between carat size, quality, and budget that we discussed earlier. Notably, the selection features a mix of natural and lab-grown diamonds, offering you the chance to find a stunning piece that aligns with your values and financial goals. The table also emphasizes different diamond shapes, such as elegant oval and princess cuts, which often provide better value compared to the more traditional round options. This flexibility in choice underscores the guide’s point about prioritizing diamond quality and style over simply chasing carat weight. As you navigate these selections, remember that with careful consideration and the right guidance, you can secure a beautiful engagement ring that reflects both your love and your budget.
Ring | Type | Price |
0.31 Carat Diamond Rope Band Engagement Ring In White Gold | Natural | $689 |
0.50 Carat Lab Grown Princess Diamond Rose Gold Twisted Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,063 |
0.31 Carat Round Bypass Solitaire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring | Natural | $1,166 |
O Color 3/4 Carat Round Natural Diamond Ring In 14K White Gold | Natural | $1,176 |
Marquise Classic Solitaire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring (0.50 Carat) | Natural | $1,279 |
Classic 1/2 Carat Round Natural Diamond Ring In White Gold | Natural | $1,289 |
1.20 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Classic White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,293 |
0.41 Carat Solitaire Natural Diamond Ring With Elegant Cathedral Setting | Natural | $1,307 |
Flat 1/2 Carat Oval Cut Natural Diamond Engagement Ring | Natural | $1,308 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Antique Floral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,341 |
0.40 Carat Natural Diamond Ring With Halo In White Gold | Natural | $1,352 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Classic Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,391 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,419 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,426 |
Curved Split Shank Natural Diamond Ring (0.33 Carat Round Cut) | Natural | $1,471 |
1.80 Carat Lab Grown Marquise Diamond Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,500 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Flat Cathedral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,502 |
2.50 Carat Lab Grown Asscher Diamond Flat Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,511 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Floral Knife-Edge Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,512 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Petal Prong Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,524 |
1/2 Carat Solitaire Natural Diamond Ring In Platinum | Natural | $1,566 |
K Color Oval Natural Diamond Engagement Ring (0.72 Carat) | Natural | $1,638 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Six-Prong Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,644 |
0.7 Carat Princess Cut Natural Diamond Ring In White Gold | Natural | $1,669 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Heart Diamond Chevron Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,694 |
Princess Pave Halo Natural Diamond Engagement Ring (0.50 Carat) | Natural | $1,779 |
0.75 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Floating Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,783 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Engagement Ring with Sapphire Pear Side Stones | Lab Grown | $1,791 |
Rose Gold Twisted Vine Engagement Ring (0.5 Carat Natural Diamond) | Natural | $1,825 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Pave Cathedral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,851 |
0.59 Carat Marquise Cut Natural Diamond Ring With Halo In White Gold | Natural | $1,859 |
1.31 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.31 carat D, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $1,860 |
1.12 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.12 carat E, VVS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $1,870 |
Emerald Cut Pave Halo Engagement Ring (0.70 Carat Natural Diamond) | Natural | $1,873 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Pave Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,911 |
Custom 2.50 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,930 |
1.17 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.17 carat E, VVS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $1,930 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,946 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Marquise Diamond Petal Six Prong Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,948 |
Custom 2 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Engagement Ring with Black Diamond Halo | Lab Grown | $1,949 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Heart Diamond Twisted Yellow Gold Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,967 |
1.40 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Flat Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,968 |
One Carat Heart Solitaire Natural Diamond Ring In 14k Gold | Natural | $1,983 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Marquise Diamond Gold Petite Cathedral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,984 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Six-Prong Channel Set Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,985 |
1.60 Carat Lab Grown Elongated Cushion Diamond Petite Pave Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,994 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Heart Diamond Antique Floral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $1,996 |
Round Classic Solitaire Natural Diamond Engagement Ring (0.70 Carat) | Natural | $1,997 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Elongated Cushion Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,020 |
Classic 0.80 Carat Natural Diamond Ring In White Gold | Natural | $2,046 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Marquise Diamond Hidden Halo Engagement Ring in Rose Gold | Lab Grown | $2,061 |
0.50 Carat Round Natural Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold | Natural | $2,092 |
0.42 Carat Round Pave Halo Natural Diamond Engagement Ring | Natural | $2,099 |
2.50 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Pave Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,109 |
1.54 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.54 carat E, VS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,110 |
1.72 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.72 carat H, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,120 |
1.21 cttw Ring – 14K Yellow Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.21 carat E, VVS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,120 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Antique Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,127 |
1.55 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.55 carat G, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,130 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Floating Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,153 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Oval Diamond Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,167 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Princess Diamond Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,171 |
1.32 cttw Ring – 18K Yellow Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.32 carat F, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,180 |
1.58 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.58 carat D, SI1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,190 |
1.24 cttw Ring – 18K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.24 carat E, VVS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,190 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Princess Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,194 |
1.25 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Rose Gold Twisted Band Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,196 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Pear Side Stones Gold Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,200 |
1.15 cttw Ring – 18K Yellow Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.15 carat D, VVS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,200 |
0.60 Carat Round Petite Halo Natural Diamond Engagement Ring | Natural | $2,223 |
1.5 cttw Ring – 18K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.50 carat F, VS1 Good, Emerald Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,230 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Comfort-Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring in Rose Gold | Lab Grown | $2,250 |
1 Carat Natural Diamond Pear Cut Rose Gold Engagement Ring | Natural | $2,266 |
1.54 cttw Ring – 14K Yellow Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.54 carat E, VS1 Good, Emerald Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,280 |
1.37 cttw Ring – Platinum Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.37 carat E, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,290 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Princess Diamond Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,298 |
Lab Grown 1 Carat Radiant Diamond Petite Pave Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,300 |
Scalloped Natural Diamond Engagement Ring (0.63 Ct. Princess Cut) | Natural | $2,311 |
2.50 Carat Lab Grown Emerald Diamond Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,313 |
0.8 Carat Solitaire Natural Diamond Ring (Round Cut) | Natural | $2,319 |
1.51 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Pave Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.35 carat D, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,320 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Asscher Diamond & Sapphire Cathedral Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,323 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,326 |
1.58 cttw Ring – 14K Rose Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.58 carat F, VS2 TrueHearts, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,330 |
2.25 Carat Lab Grown Oval Diamond Antique Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,341 |
1 Carat Lab Grown Princess Diamond Chevron Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,344 |
3 Carat Lab Grown Oval Diamond Gold Knife Edge Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,364 |
1.33 cttw Ring – 14K Yellow Gold Pave Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.17 carat E, VVS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,370 |
Custom 2 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Bypass Bezel Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,372 |
Delicate Shared-Prong 0.72 Carat Oval Natural Diamond Engagement Ring | Natural | $2,387 |
3 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,404 |
1.58 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.58 carat E, SI1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,410 |
1.75 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.75 carat E, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,420 |
1.6 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.60 carat E, VS1 Very Good, Pear Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,430 |
1.20 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,431 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Octagon Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,432 |
0.50 Carat Lab Grown Cushion Diamond Shared Prong Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,432 |
2.25 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Hidden Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,437 |
1.39 cttw Ring – Platinum Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.36 carat D, VS1 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,440 |
1.50 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Custom Gemstone Swirl Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,441 |
Marquise Double Halo Ring (0.50 Carat Natural Diamond) | Natural | $2,446 |
1.70 Carat Lab Grown Round Diamond Shared Prong Gold Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,450 |
1.28 cttw Ring – 14K White Gold Pave Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.24 carat D, VVS2 Excellent, Princess Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,450 |
1.01 cttw Ring – Platinum Solitaire Setting – Lab Grown diamond – 1.01 carat D, VVS2 Excellent, Round Diamond | Lab Grown | $2,470 |
2 Carat Lab Grown Pear Diamond Pave Halo Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,479 |
3.50 Carat Lab Grown Asscher Diamond Rose Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring | Lab Grown | $2,485 |
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