Engagement Rings Under $3,000

On a budget? Lab-grown diamonds are a great choice because they are up to 30% less expensive than earth-grown diamonds. Solitaire settings are also a wise choice if you are on a budget. Since these settings feature a plain band, they are much more affordable than other more ornate, diamond-studded settings. Stick with metals like 14kt White Gold, which looks like platinum but without the large fee. Another tip: round-cut diamonds are the most expensive diamond shape, so to maximize your budget, choose a fancy shape, like an oval-cut diamond or cushion-cut diamond.