Finding a beautiful and unique engagement ring doesn’t have to mean going into debt. All those “textbook rules” about how the price of an engagement ring should equal three months salary is a load of rotten apples. How much you spend is personal, but know that there are options for every budget. I’ve found 17 gorgeous rings that are $1000 or less (most of them are much less than $500) that are still elegant and of quality. And there are plenty more where these came from – I found most of these on Etsy from artisans who make them carefully by hand and use materials such as recycled gold or sterling for less expensive alternative options. Most of these feature smaller diamonds, rough cut diamonds, or alternatives such as opals, sapphires, morganite, or white topaz. Enjoy! And be sure to share this list with those who might be interested.
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 1 1 - Handmade Raw Diamond Engagement Ring Rough Natural Uncut Gemstone $108 Avello](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1-Handmade-Raw-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Rough-Natural-Uncut-Gemstone-108-Avello.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 2 2 - Antique Filigree Style Raw Diamond Ring Handmade Art Deco Engagement Sterling Silver Wedding Band Size 7 Gift Avello $140](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2-Antique-Filigree-Style-Raw-Diamond-Ring-Handmade-Art-Deco-Engagement-Sterling-Silver-Wedding-Band-Size-7-Gift-Avello-140-1024x594.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 3 3 - $235 - Beth Cyr](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3-235-Beth-Cyr.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 4 $275 Fernando Jewelry](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/5-275-Simply-Diamond-Eco-Engagement-Ring-in-Recycled-Silver-Fernando-Jewelry.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 5 6 - $315 Simply Elegance Eco Engagement Ring - in Recycled Silver - Fernando Jewelry](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/6-315-Simply-Elegance-Eco-Engagement-Ring-in-Recycled-Silver-Fernando-Jewelry.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 6 7 - Opal Engagement Ring 14k Rose Gold $355 pnps](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/7-Opal-Engagement-Ring-14k-Rose-Gold-355-pnps.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 7 9 - $375 Build Your Own Rosecut - Vena Amoris Jewelry](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/9-375-Build-Your-Own-Rosecut-Vena-Amoris-Jewelry.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 8 10 - $475 12 Carat Total Halo Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold - applesofgold](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10-475-12-Carat-Total-Halo-Diamond-Ring-in-14K-White-Gold-applesofgold.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 9 10.5 - $498 Naples White Sapphire Engagement Ring - 14kt Gold - Olivia Ewing](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10.5-498-Naples-White-Sapphire-Engagement-Ring-14kt-Gold-Olivia-Ewing.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 10 11 - White Sapphire twig engagement ring $700 eftratdeutsch](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/11-White-Sapphire-twig-engagement-ring-700-eftratdeutsch.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 11 12 - Vine and Pearl Gold Ring $780 BMJ NY](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/12-Vine-and-Pearl-Gold-Ring-780-BMJ-NY.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 12 13 - Floral Aquamarine Engagement Ring in 14k Rose Gold Diamond Pebble Ring $798 - LaMoreDesign](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/13-Floral-Aquamarine-Engagement-Ring-in-14k-Rose-Gold-Diamond-Pebble-Ring-798-LaMoreDesign.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 13 14 - Morganite Engagement Ring Morganite Ring White Sapphire Halo 14K or 18K Gold Custom Wedding Ring $842](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/14-Morganite-Engagement-Ring-Morganite-Ring-White-Sapphire-Halo-14K-or-18K-Gold-Custom-Wedding-Ring-842.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 14 15 - Branch Rough Diamond Engagement Ring, 14k Rose Gold $925 - point no point studio](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/15-Branch-Rough-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-14k-Rose-Gold-925-point-no-point-studio.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 15 16 - Rose Cut Diamond Handmade Engagement Ring, 14k Yellow Gold $950+ pointnopointstudio](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/16-Rose-Cut-Diamond-Handmade-Engagement-Ring-14k-Yellow-Gold-950-pointnopointstudio.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 16 17 - Antique-Style Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold $975 applesofgold](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/17-Antique-Style-Diamond-Ring-in-14K-White-Gold-975-applesofgold.jpg)
![Truly Affordable Engagement Rings at less than $500 and $1000 17 18 - Leaves Engagement Ring No. 4 - 14K Gold and Diamond engagement ring, $1000+ doronmerav](https://sweetvioletbride.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/18-Leaves-Engagement-Ring-No.-4-14K-Gold-and-Diamond-engagement-ring-1000-doronmerav.jpg)