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.