The Best Engagement Ring Settings For Every Budget

Finding the right engagement ring setting at the right price can seem like an uphill task. With thousands of engagement ring options available on the market, how do you pick the right one for you? The first thing to appreciate is that selecting an engagement ring setting is a matter of personal preference. While one person may find solitaire engagement rings classic, another may consider them too simple. Similarly, a vintage engagement ring might inspire wonder in one but appear outdated to another. 

In this guide, we have compiled a list of our top 5 picks within each budget range.

Best Engagement Ring Settings Under $2,500:

In this budget range, we suggest a diamond halo or pavé setting.  These settings can enhance the appearance of a smaller, central stone.  Remember that you can easily customize all our picks with your choice of metals, diamonds, or gemstones. 

#1. 18K Gold Two-Tone Ribbon Bypass Solitaire Engagement Ring

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This exquisite and modern piece features a unique two-ribbon design that "branches" out along the outer edges then interlocks towards the center, framing the center stone in a beautiful double-prong setting. The interlocking ribbons come in two-tone 18k gold, providing a dazzling contrast to the ring bands. 

#2. 18K Yellow Gold Criss-Cross Diamond Solitaire

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If ring real estate is a significant factor for you, you cannot go wrong with the 18k yellow gold cross diamond solitaire engagement ring. With beautifully arching shanks sweeping from the back edge to the front, this solitaire engagement ring delivers a stunning display of elegance. 

#3. Simple Flower 18K White Gold

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As the name suggests, the "Simple Flower" ring setting in 18k white gold is intricately designed as a four-petal flower, with each petal formed from four smaller diamonds. The four petals ring a central diamond of your choice, enhancing its brilliance. The ring comes with a total of twenty stones. 

#4. Cushion Duet Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in 18k White Gold

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If a ring that makes a bold statement is what you have in mind, you cannot go wrong with the cushion duet halo diamond engagement ring. The ring has a melee of diamonds surrounding the centerpiece diamond along with a cushion-shaped halo, offering unparalleled brilliance at a sub-$2500 price point. 

#5. Riviera P avé Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum

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Resting on a four-prong cathedral setting, the central diamond in the Riviera pavé diamond engagement ring is flanked by a string of beautiful French pave diamonds. Delicately combining a classic solitaire design with the trendy pave design, this ring's design provides enhanced brilliance to the ring's visible area when worn. 

Best Engagement Ring Settings Under $5,000:

At a more mid-range level, picking a diamond engagement ring setting for under $5,000 gives you a few more options than a lower budget. Consider looking for more detailed ring settings that can give you a more unique ring when complete. Another option is to choose a simple ring setting and purchase a higher carat stone — a great option if you want a high-value ring that does not look too complex. Whatever your approach, the options we've shared above are a great place to start on your hunt for the perfect diamond engagement ring setting under $5,000. 

#1. Pavé Cathedral Diamond Engagement Ring

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Luxury and elegance meet in this unique piece featuring a classic cathedral-style center stone gallery, flanked by a chain of scalloped pavé diamond accent stones. The setting enhances the brilliance of the center diamond through a four-pronged design that allows light to catch the diamond from all sides. 

#2. Petal Pavé Cathedral Diamond Engagement Ring

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The Petal Pavé ring setting features a unique split-prong design that transforms the ring's prongs into petal-like supports for the centerpiece diamond. The ring's shoulders bring out the petal motif further by tapering off instead of linking into the bridge of the ring. Exquisite pavé diamonds run along the petals and band sides to complete the design.  

#3. 14K Verragio White Gold Halo Engagement Ring

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If a round diamond is too common for you, try this stunning all-white oval diamond halo engagement ring. Featuring an oval centerpiece diamond surrounded by a halo of open pavé brilliants, the ring's exuberant design is nothing short of breathtaking. Completing the look is a string of closed pavé accent stones lining the ring's white gold bands. 

#4. Princess Z Bezel Diamond Engagement Ring

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A full-bezel diamond engagement ring, the Princess Z is a work of art that does not compromise on the traditional bezel design. The centerpiece diamond is set within a deep bezel well, creating a robust housing for the precious stone. The ring's bands feature covered accent stones of reducing sizes, running a third way around the band.

#5. Verragio Beaded Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

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Highly detailed and delightfully sprinkled with melee diamonds, the Verragio Beaded diamond engagement ring brings a vintage vibe to the halo design. The ring's head is a unique blend between a pronged design and a halo design, creating a brilliant centerpiece flanked on both sides with a beaded design along the sides of the bands. 

Best Engagement Ring Settings Under $7,500:

At $7,500 and below, your options for a diamond engagement ring setting are vast. For most mass-market diamond retailers like Blue Nile, James Allen, Brian Gavin, and White Flash, ring settings at the top of this price range are near the higher end of what they offer.  Your options are so vast in this price range, decide what you want to optimize: number of carats or style. This will help you narrow down your choices. If you want to maximize carat weight, go with a multi-stone setting. If you want to maximize style, choose a pave antique setting.  If you want to pick a ring setting that is within your budget yet represents the best of the best, we can help.  Here are our top picks in the $7,500 budget range.

#1. 14K White Gold Abbraccio Swirl Engagement Ring

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The diamond-studded swirl perfectly protects your center stone. It's the perfect combination of style and elegance.

#2. Oval-Cut Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

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A unique oval cut characterizes this stunning piece from The Gallery Collection™. Three oval diamonds mounted on a simple yet classic cathedral-style girdle result in an extremely brilliant ring setting. The ring setting comes in platinum, which adds to the overall dazzling nature of this gorgeous piece.

#3. Eterna Natural Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

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The Eterna side-stone diamond engagement ring blends a classic milgrain design with a contemporary emerald-cut center stone and side stones. Accentuating each stone is a halo of round-cut brilliants. Further enhancing the ring's design is a set of closed pavé stones running along the ring's outer shanks. Under the bridge, you will find fine milgrain detailing that rounds off this fabulous ring setting.

#4. Grande Falling Edge Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Brilliantly set with a disco of diamonds, this exquisite piece's design covers the upper half of the ring with diamonds. The centerpiece diamond is surrounded by a single line halo of smaller round stones while the shanks are covered in tiny pavé-style diamonds lining the outer edges two-thirds around the band. The ring setting is available in platinum and 14k/18k rose, white, or yellow gold. 

#5. Kiss Pavé Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

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This enchanting ring's design has one sole purpose, to accentuate the brilliance of the center diamond. Combining a pillow design crown with a round stone creates an asymmetrical design that is easy to fall in love with. Along the band of the ring, you will find open pavé-set stones, climaxing in a hooked bridge under the crown. 

Best Engagement Ring Settings Under $10,000:

With a budget of $10,000 for a diamond engagement ring setting, you have your pick of almost any setting on the major online retailers. Spread across multiple styles and designs, there is something for almost everyone's taste.  While the options may seem overwhelming, you can narrow down your choices by asking three questions. First, ask yourself whether, at this price range, you would rather get a custom-made ring. Second, at this budget, you can get a stone and a setting, rather than one or the other. Determine if that might be the right approach for you. Third, ask yourself what you value more: a larger stone, a higher quality stone, or a more intricate set design. Pick one and start your search there.  To help you find the right ring, we poured over hundreds of ring settings, looking for those exceptional pieces that truly stand out. Start here to develop a solid foundation on your quest to find the perfect dazzling diamond engagement ring. 

#1. Abbraccio Triple Shank Engagement Ring Style

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Featuring twists along the bands, this setting design magnifies the center diamond. The beautiful pave accents sweep along the side stones and swirl around the center stone. 

#2. Tacori RoyalT Cushion-Style Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

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Majestic and imposing are words that come to mind when describing the Tacori RoyalT cushion-style ring. The ring is fitted with a center diamond at the apex of the crown that is surrounded by a double row of pavé-set diamonds. The ring's bands are set with open pavé diamonds, with additional milgrain finishing along the edges of the band. The ring is available in platinum and 18k rose or yellow gold. 

#3. Double Band Eternity Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring

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This beautiful piece comes with up to fifty-two stones, including a beautifully accentuated center stone. The ring features a full eternity of pavé-style stones that cover the entire circumference of the ring's bands. A double band design adds to the allure of this enchanting pavé diamond engagement ring.  

#4. Kallista Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

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A hand-crafted platinum wire is the foundation of this designer ring. Each ring is made to order and is masterfully crafted to fit the stone and ring size. The ring features a pillow-cut center diamond that is set in a four-pronged basket and flanked by two emerald-cut side stones, which combine with the hand-crafted setting to give you an impeccably finished design. 

#5. Graciosa Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

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The Graciosa is another exquisite hand-crafted platinum ring setting that features a round centerpiece stone flanked by two emerald-cut side stones. The ring has a unique undercarriage that supports all three stones in one fluid structure. As a custom-made ring setting, the Graciosa can accommodate any stone and ring size of your choosing - and the price includes the side stones, but not the center stone.