How To Shop Engagement Rings On A Budget

Let us guess — you’ve made a call and it is to get married.

While you’re keeping an open mind for the choices, you’d also want to prioritise things that may be more important in your special day.

And that’s completely fine!

Starting with engagement rings, they serve the purpose of depicting your love and commitment.

While it does come at a cost, not choosing the most expensive option in your list isn’t that bad.

After all, no perfect engagement rings comes with a financial burden over your head.

This guide will cover how to shop for the best engagement rings without breaking the bank.

How Much Does an Engagement Ring Cost in NZ?

Engagement rings hold sentimental value, symbolizing love and commitment.

The true cost of an engagement ring can vary significantly, influenced by factors like the quality of the diamond or gemstone, the metal used for the band, making charges, and the overall design.

In New Zealand, engagement rings for couples typically range around $500 and can go well beyond $10,000, depending on the factors mentioned above.

For those on a budget, don’t fret. There are stunning options available for your taste and certainly your cost.

Best Engagement Rings Under $800

While it’s often believed that a beautiful engagement ring comes at a price tag, this isn’t always the case.

There is an range of gorgeous engagement rings in New Zealand priced under $800 that are ready to be a part of your love story.

These rings feature smaller diamonds or alternative gemstones, set in high-quality metals like white gold and yellow gold that are still what you want in an engagement ring.

1. Diamond Cluster Ring

A stunning display of multiple diamonds delicately clustered together, forming a brilliant centerpiece.

Adorned with 0.25ct diamonds, this ring showcases elegance and sophistication, making it a perfect choice to symbolise your love.

At an amazing price of $799, this one makes for a unique engagement ring for ladies.

2. 9ct White Gold Diamond Ring

Crafted from 9-carat white gold, this ring features a dazzling diamond set in a cushion-shaped setting.

Its timeless design and sparkling diamond of 0.13ct make it a classic and cherished choice.

While minimalistic, this ring outshines other accessories and complements all skin tones.

3. 9ct Gold Diamond Cluster Ring

A cluster of smaller diamonds surrounding a prominent 0.25-carat diamond, all set in 9-carat gold.

The ring features diamonds of HIJ clarity, one of the most sought after quality standards in diamonds.

At Stonex, we provide free sizing of the rings once you provide us with the finger size. This ring is no exception and you can get a perfect-fitting ring in a matter of days.

4. Gold Cubic Zirconia Emerald Ring

A simply enchating gold ring featuring a brilliant emerald-shaped cubic zirconia, offering a luxurious and vibrant look reminiscent of emerald gemstones.

At just $699, it’s a striking piece for those seeking sophistication without the diamond price tag.

5. 9ct Gold 3-stone Bridal Set

This bridal set, made from 9-carat gold, features a trio of dazzling stones symbolizing past, present, and future.

A meaningful representation of love’s journey, perfect for those looking forward to spend a lifetime together.

6. Princess Cut Gold Ring

A sleek but detailed gold ring crafted in 9ct yellow gold — this regal ring showcases a princess-cut cubic zirconia as a centrepiece, adorned with 5 each on both sides.

The square-shaped stone and the gold band harmonize to create a timeless, elegant piece—a true emblem of modern royalty and love.

Are Expensive Engagement Rings Worth the Shot?

On the other hand, engagement rings that cost as good as your car’s instalment feature breathtaking diamonds, gems, and designs. In one look, these may seem like all you’ve been looking for.

Many engagement rings cost higher than others because of many reasons. These include uniqueness of the design, diamond clarity, type of metal used and obviously, the making charges.

Some of them have bigger, better diamonds, like ones with great clarity and colour grades. Picture Kourtney Kardashian’s 12ct ring — it has nothing but a big, oval diamond to it, which makes all the difference.

Even though the thought of getting an expensive engagement ring can be daunting, it can an investment and a sign of love and promise that will last forever.

One reason to prefer these is that they can be and passed down from generation to generation, especially if they’re of a high sentimental and financial value.

Just make sure the ring you buy isn’t a result of pressure from your peers or influencers who buy this type of rings.

Whatever aligns with your commitment is the best choice.

Celebrate Your Love with Unique Engagement Rings for Couples

At the heart of it all, the engagement ring you choose should is a symbol of your love story — and not a social construct to comply with.

Whether you’re going for a budget-friendly beauty or a splurge-worthy stunner, what truly matters is that it represents your love without any compromises.

So, shopping for diamond engagement rings in New Zealand is indeed a balance between budget considerations and landing on the ring that looks dazzling on your partner.

At Stonex Jewellers, we’ve got no shortage of options for every budget — we understand the true meaning of your engagement ring and we will go above and beyond to make it special for you 🙂

Choose from our range of best engagement rings in NZ and start a fresh chapter with your partner filled with love and commitment!

AUTHOR BIO

Karsha

Karsha has been a writer for over 10 years and has been writing for Stonex Jewellers for more than two years where she has gained insights on how to capture the essence of the jewellery industry. She comes from a versatile background, having written for fashion & lifestyle beats and covering the trends of the market. Graduated from the domain of Journalism & Mass Communication — she knows how to depict the cultural and emotional significance of who styles what & when.