Best Places To Buy Engagement Rings 2023

Engagement rings are set in stone, quite literally, so buying one is one of the most important decisions a couple can make—apart from actually getting married, of course. Choosing what style and look to commit to can be daunting for anyone, but the best places to buy engagement rings have simplified the process and made it less intimidating. Now you can find a variety of prices and ring styles, as well as services and guarantees to give you peace of mind. The first step: Ask a lot of questions.

The best places to buy engagement rings offer fair prices and peace of mind.

"When it comes to engagement rings, there is no such thing as a silly question," says New York-based jewelry consultant Mirta de Gisbert. Many retailers offer online consultations, where you can talk about ring styles, your budget and return policies. Transparency is expected these days—especially around prices and ethical practices—and reputable brands should provide comprehensive valuation reports to ensure the authenticity of their diamonds.

Whether you’re looking for affordable rings to lab-grown diamonds or antique designs, we researched the market to find the best places to buy engagement rings online, with confidence and top-shelf service. For more wedding inspiration, we also compiled expert advice on the best lab-grown diamonds and wedding bands for men.

Blue Nile

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.

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With Clarity

Price range: From $500 - $5,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: Yes | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and lifetime warranty | Financing: Yes

This top-rated 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, use the 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 choose two preset 3D-printed replica rings to slip on, for free. This gives you an idea of what styles you like before creating your own order.

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Vrai

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.

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Brilliant Earth

Price range: From $810 - $144,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and lifetime warranty | Financing: Yes

Brilliant Earth was founded on the principles of ethical diamond sourcing, including mined, recycled and lab-grown gems. (For the record, lab-grown stones have the same chemical composition as natural ones, making them virtually indistinguishable.) The brand's "Beyond Conflict Free" mined diamonds take its commitment to transparency in ethical sourcing further by working with carefully vetted suppliers who demonstrate robust diamond tracing protocols and work with mines that support fair labor practices. From one-of-a-kind custom pieces to classic solitaire styles, Brilliant Earth's ethical diamond engagement rings fit a wide range of tastes and budgets.

STONE AND STRAND

Price range: From $5,600 - $13,700 | Custom options: No | Virtual advisors: No | At-home try-on: No | Return policy and warranty: No returns, 100 day product warranty | Financing: No

Sorting through loose diamonds and hundreds of ring settings is not for everyone. Stone And Strand aims to simplify the process: The NYC-based jeweler has a beautiful collection of modern-classic engagement rings in the most popular settings, already designed and made with ethically-sourced diamonds. Simply choose from five settings, your preferred carat weight (1 or 1.5 carats) and ring size, and the rest is all set. Each ring is still made to order and ships out in 8 weeks.

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Mejuri

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.

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Allurez

Price range: From $500 - $50,000 | Custom options: Yes | Virtual advisors: Yes | At-home try-on: Yes | Return policy and warranty: 30-day returns and one-year warranty | Financing: Yes

An engagement ring is designed to last forever. If you’re not sure what look you’ll like now—and years from now—traditional styles are the way to go. Allurez specializes in modern classics and also allows customization. The process is simple and user-friendly, so you can navigate different ring settings and stone shapes, and final designs can be tried on at home before committing to the purchase. Allurez also has a range of preset rings for those who don't want the task of designing themselves.

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1st Dibs

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 stress-free shopping experience.

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Catbird

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 has engagement rings from independent jewelry designers, such as Sofia Zakia and Jennie Kwon. There's a substantial collection of ready-to-ship diamond rings, as well as designs with sapphires, rubies and emeralds, as an alternative to more traditional styles.

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Quince

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.

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Zales

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, including those designed by Vera Wang, at every price range. Although the focus is on diamonds, you can find plenty of other gemstones, and options to customize your ring, too.

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There are hundreds (even thousands) of online retailers where you can purchase an engagement ring. Our team extensively researched the online jewelry shops to verify they are a reliable seller with quality products. We also sourced experts to understand how to make the best engagement ring purchases online. This story is regularly updated to guarantee all prices, availability and the best versions of the products are up to date. It was last updated in March 2023. Before you commit to a ring you have been eyeing, below are a few things to consider:

First things first. When seeking to buy an engagement ring online, give the retailer a call and ask about their history, their company and any press they have received. These details will provide you with an immediate sense if the retailer is an authentic seller, or not. You can also research and look at reviews online from actual customers to give you a better idea of the business and their products.

Look at the retailer's policies, too, before making a selection on an engagement ring. With most of the country still experiencing shipping delays, you will want to know how long it will take the ring to get to you and the costs associated with shipping. Learning the return policy is also key. There is always the chance that the ring may not be what you ordered or expected (think unexpected flaws or damage). Ask if the retailer has any procedures in place if the ring is damaged, lost or stolen.

Always check the quality of the jewelry and diamonds with a certified expert. If a retailer can not guarantee the quality of the ring, you want to steer clear of purchasing from them. A good engagement ring should have the best stones and carats available, especially if you're customizing a ring.