Engagement rings set in stone (pun intended) one of the most important decisions a couple can make: Getting married. But they’re also valuable accessories to be worn daily—and hopefully ever after—so the choice can be daunting. Modern fine jewelers make it enjoyable to shop for the best engagement rings online, offering a variety of prices and styles, as well as services and guarantees to facilitate the process.
Buying an engagement ring can add up to big savings online, if you price compare and shop around.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
“When it comes to engagement rings, there is no such thing as a silly question,” says New York-based jewelry consultant Mirta de Gisbert. To that end, many retailers have translated the in-store experience to online consultations. They have also set new standards for price transparency and ethical practices and provide comprehensive valuation reports to ensure authenticity. Online, the offer might seem endless, but Denver-based jewelry designer Stéphane Krumenacker has a wise tip: “It’s a heavily marketed world, so it’s easy to get pushed in one way or another—as cheesy as it sounds, I would recommend following your heart.”
We’ve rounded up ten of the best places to shop for engagement rings online, including everything from affordable rings to lab-grown diamonds or antique designs. For more inspiration, read our guide to the best diamond jewelry online, and if you’re specifically looking for rings for the groom-to-be, we rounded up the best wedding bands for men.
This online retailer offers a few ways to shop for engagement rings. First, there’s a collection of preset styles that can be ordered immediately. Second, a custom ring tool with dozens of ways to customize the setting, diamond (including natural or lab-grown), shape, metal and so on. But what really sets it apart is the try-at-home program, where you can receive two 3D-printed replica rings to slip on, for free. This gives you an idea of what you like or want to tweak before confirming your custom order.
Pros:
Multiple custom options
Wide range of prices
At-home try-on
Cons:
Limited preset design options
Best Ethically-Sourced Engagement Rings
Brilliant Earth: Conscious Jewelry For Peace Of Mind
Best Affordable Engagement Rings
Quince: Elegant Rings At Fair Prices
Price range: From $130 – $750 | Custom options: No | Virtual advisors: No | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 365-day returns | Financing: Yes
While Quince is not a traditional jewelry retailer, the brand offers high-quality products at fair prices—which translates to their rings. Its selection is limited but sophisticated, with most options around or under the $500 price tag. As with other (and more expensive) jewelers, the rings usually come in 14k gold, and the diamonds are ethically produced. It’s a great option for those who have a limited budget and don’t want to confront endless choices when looking for the right ring.
Pros:
Affordable
Great quality
Sophisticated designs
Cons:
Limited selection
No additional online services
Best Diamond Engagement Rings
Blue Nile: Endless Selection For Custom Pieces
MOST POPULAR
Price range: From $450 – $40,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and lifelong warranty | Financing: Yes
Blue Nile was one of the first fine jewelry retailers to embrace online shopping. It, too, offers many ways to shop for engagement rings, including a custom option. Between those, its own collection, and collaborations with designers (such as Zac Posen), the site offers a huge range of engagement rings. The brand focuses on ethically-sourced diamonds and also offers a price-match guarantee as well as a diamond upgrade program—great for those who plan on investing in the ring’s quality over time.
Pros:
Thousands of diamonds available
User-friendly shopping experience
Wide range of prices
Cons:
Best Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
Vrai: Gemologist-Certified Diamonds
Price range: From $1,700 – $12,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 14-day returns and lifetime warranty | Financing: Yes
Vrai exclusively uses lab-grown diamonds from its own foundry, meaning there’s truly no middleman between the stone’s source and its setting. The diamonds are grown sustainably in America with an entirely hydro-powered production process, which eliminates carbon emissions, and certified by gemologists for quality. Vrai also offers a wide range of styles, from timeless solitaire rings to three-stone rings with pavé bands.
Pros:
Sustainable lab-grown diamonds
Wide variety of styles and custom options
Appointments available online or at showrooms
Cons:
No try-on
Short return policy
Best Modern Engagement Rings
Mejuri: Fine Jewelry Without The Markup
Price range: From $200 – $2,500 | Custom options: No | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and two-year warranty | Financing: Yes
Direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand Mejuri manages to make engagement rings that are both affordable and interesting, featuring clusters of gemstones and diamonds in artful settings that feel utterly contemporary. Forget about the classic solitaire: These rings have a modern sensibility, and while mostly minimal, they all feature a design twist that will allure the most fashionable brides-to-be.
Pros:
Affordable
Modern and original designs
Virtual styling available
Cons:
Limited selection
No try-on
No custom options
Best Vintage Engagement Rings
1st Dibs: Trusted Source For Rare, One-Of-A-Kind Rings
Price range: From $100 – $7,000,000 | Custom options: No | Virtual advisors: No | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: Depends on seller | Financing: No
For authenticated antique jewelry online, there’s no match for 1st Dibs. The company works with a trusted network of top vintage and contemporary sellers across the world to source pieces you really won’t see anywhere else, with styles from the 18th century to modern day. The selection of engagement rings is enormous and the price range is broad, starting around $100 and reaching into the millions (yep, plural). Everything is thoroughly vetted and all purchases include buyer protection for a shopping experience that’s more Net-à-Porter than eBay.
Price range: From $300 – $14,000 | Custom options: No | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: Yes | Return policy and warranty: 10-day domestic returns and one-year warranty | Financing: Yes
Catbird began as a little storefront in Brooklyn that became popular locally for its ultra-dainty jewelry with names like the threadbare ring and sweet nothing choker. In addition to its own Catbird line of jewelry, the boutique stocks pieces from independent jewelry designers, such as Blanca Monrós Gómez, Jennie Kwon and Wwake. And although there is a substantial collection of diamond engagement rings, Catbird also has a sophisticated selection of sapphires, rubies and emeralds, as well as black, grey and champagne diamonds that pose a great alternative to more traditional designs.
Pros:
Variety of designs and stones
Wide range of prices
Virtual (and in-person) advisors and home try-on
Cons:
Short return policy
No custom options
Best Custom Engagement Rings
Allurez: An Effortless Way To Create A Unique Ring
Is there anything more unique than an engagement ring designed by yourself? Although it might sound like a complex operation, Allurez’s site facilitates the task. The navigation of ring settings and stone shapes is simple and user-friendly, and the designs can be tried on at home before committing to the final purchase. Allurez also has a range of preset rings for those who don’t want the task of designing themselves.
Pros:
Easy-to-navigate customization
Preset options at different prices
At-home try-on
Cons:
Best Engagement Rings For Variety
Zales: Designs At Every Price, For Every Look
Price range: From $40 – $45,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and lifetime diamond commitment | Financing: Yes
If you aren’t afraid of too much choice, Zales offers nearly ten thousand engagement rings on its site. From minimal solitaires to ornate halo rings, it’s a treasure trove that covers multiple styles and price ranges, starting with as little as $40, and with a section for men’s rings as well. Although the focus is on diamonds, you can find plenty of other gemstones, and there are options to customize your ring, too.
Pros:
Extensive variety of styles
Wide range of prices
Compare tool
Cons:
What To Consider When Buying An Engagement Ring
Stone: Nowadays, diamonds are the most common stones for engagement rings. As a status symbol, the diamond’s popularity has resulted both from its objective qualities (it’s commonly known as the hardest substance on Earth) and the marketing around it. While it can be a great choice, you can also consider other stones such as sapphires, rubies or emeralds. But if you do, de Gisbert advises to reflect on the stone’s hardiness: “Emeralds, for instance, are a softer stone. If the wearer uses their hands a lot, then I suggest a protective setting as well as perhaps not wearing the ring on a daily basis.”
The Four Cs: If you go down the diamond route, you’ll encounter descriptions that refer to the diamond’s color, cut, clarity and carat—the four Cs. The color judges how colored the diamond is (colorless being the most valuable). The cut speaks of its polishing, distinguishing between round brilliant (which reflects more light and is therefore more precious) and fancy cuts. The clarity refers to the presence or lack of inclusions (or marks) in the stone (“flawless” being the clearest diamonds). And finally, the carat refers to the weight of the diamond: The more carats, the more expensive. While it might seem easy to choose a diamond based on these set parameters, Krumenacker suggests instead to be guided by your attraction to the stone itself. “There’s a tendency to search for perfection based on a chart, but that can end up feeling a bit clinical,” she says. “Asymmetries and imperfections make the stone unique, which can be even more beautiful.”
Sustainability: As Krumenacker acknowledges, “Metals and stones are mined from the ground, and there’s a pretty dark history around these practices.” When you’re buying gold or diamonds, consider its provenance and read the fine print. “There’s a big movement to trace where the gold and diamonds have come from, and there are companies that focus on ethically-sourced stones or diamonds.” Lab-grown diamonds are a good alternative that skips the mining process altogether, and reclaimed materials such as heirloom diamonds or old family jewels are not only sustainable but also a meaningful approach to buying an engagement ring.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.