An engagement ring is a symbolic expression of a promise for a couple. For them, it symbolizes love, and a possible new chapter for them to be together. But engagement rings are anything but cheap. But because couples want the best looking engagement ring, they end up spending more money than they should. Would you want to spend thousands of dollars for a ring that you wished would have gone to your mortgage or retirement? Of course not. But there are ways for you to save on an engagement ring without any regrets.

Before you start looking at magazines and stores for lovely rings, you must first know your budget. Let's face it, not all of us can afford an expensive ring, but if you know how much you can afford you can avoid spending over your limit, save yourself from too much frustration and avoid the hassle that comes with it. Know your partner's taste and style in jewelry. You should ask yourself if you want your engagement and wedding rings to match, because you'll be wearing them for the rest of your life.

For the precious stones, diamonds are still the most popular among couples, but not all diamonds are created equal. Educate yourself about the diamond basics - the four Cs, that is. There are many websites on the internet that will guide you about this. Read more about it on http://www.bidz.com/ht/help?page=jdguide_index.

But if diamond engagement rings don't fit your budget, consider buying a cubic zirconium ring. It's not a diamond ring, but looks like one, and chances are, nobody will know about the difference between the two. Then, save up for it in the years to come and buy a real diamond ring when you're financially ready. You can also try other gemstones other than diamonds and consider your partner's birthstone instead. Or, forget the precious stones all together and having only a plain wedding band. Platinum is very popular because of its durability, but is quite expensive. In this case, white gold is a good alternative.

There are places to look for when you want a beautful engagement ring for a low price. Ebay is a great place to start. If you're lucky, you will find auctions that list a set of engagement and wedding rings for as low as $30. Also, you can check out the classifieds section of your newspapers, antique shops and pawnshops. Just be careful when buying from these sources to protect yourself from fraud.

There are many couples who are only looking for raw stones and want to have a new ring made for them. Look for them at pawnshops or from wholesalers online. You may ask your mom for her engagement ring, use the stone and have a new ring designed for you. Or, if the ring is already beautiful and suits your taste, there's no need to buy a new one nor have it reset.

When all is said and done and you still don't have any other choices, buy a ring that can be upgraded later. This is an option that many engaged couples are doing these days. Save up for more stones when you're prepared and more financially capable, and your partner will be happy after all those years you've gone through together.

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