Well here are my top picks for engagement rings that are pretty but won’t cost you a pretty penny.

Aquamarine Floating Ring – Misa Jewelry, $995

You know the dazzling way that sunlight bounces off of water? You get all of that and more when you pair yellow gold with a stone as striking as aquamarine. In my opinion, the perfect size for a solitaire engagement ring is between 1.5 and 2 carats. This 1.74 carat aquamarine ring is smack dab in the middle and I love how it’s evoking water.

The pale blue tones make me think of laying poolside with a mojito and a bottle of sunblock. I think it’s very serene how the ring is peppered with white round brilliant diamonds. There’s something dreamy about this ring, it’s untraditional in its setting and really does appear to float. This ring is striking the right balance between affordability and affluence and I’m here for it. There’s something transfixing and visceral about staring into a calm body of water and getting lost in your thoughts. This ring is like a portable lake that you can just stare into and be soothed by.

Winter Forest Blue Topaz Ring – Vasa New York, $985

I love the cool elegance of this blue topaz ring and it’s aptly named. The first time I saw it, it made me think of Frozone from “The Incredibles” and his different ice creations throughout the film. This ring makes me think of a snowflake under a microscope. (One of the few enjoyable parts of advanced chemistry was viewing the intricacy and delicacy of ice crystals under a magnifying lens.)

This 8×6 mm blue topaz stone is set on a band paved with champagne diamonds and honestly I can’t look away from it. This ring is beautiful enough to be a family heirloom and is petite both in stature in price. This ring doesn’t look inexpensive and I adore the unexpected color combination of ice blue and rose gold. And last but not least, you don’t have to sacrifice durability for affordability. Blue topaz is graded at an 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a jewel that won’t be easily scratched. You can wear this ring with confidence!

Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you had a spare thousand dollars, would either of these rings tickle your fancy?

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Pave Eye Sweet Leaf Crown Inlay Necklace – Jacquie Aiche

I really like this necklace. The eye reminds me of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, which were prominently displayed on a billboard in Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby.” Many people analyzed the work and thought maybe the eyes symbolized the eyes of God, overlooking the valley of ashes.

I can’t tell you Jacquie Aiche’s exact intent was when she was crafting this necklace but I love the pave white diamond detail and I love the metal choice of yellow gold. Also it’s pretty quirky that the eye looks pretty serene and it’s bordered with marijuana leaves. Sans the leaves, you can get a necklace that is pretty similar for thousands less. Jacquie Aiche’s necklace is priced at $6750 but this Evil Eye Necklace is only $30.

Evil Eye Necklace – BlissBelleDesigns

This necklace is being sold for over $6500 less than the original Jacquie Aiche piece. The evil eye necklace can be purchased with a 16, 18, or 20 inch chain. All of the metal hardware (chain included) are 14k gold filled. For just $30, this necklace is extremely reasonably priced. It will add a mysterious vibe to your otufit without you wondering how all of your money went mysteriously missing.

Star Duster Earrings – Colette

What I love about these earrings is the color scheme, the silver and the black together. (If you want this particular pair, you have to select “Multi-Colored Gold.”) These earrings are set with 3 carats worth of conflict-free black and white diamonds. 

I’ve always really liked things that look a bit sci-fi and futuristic, so these earrings really caught my eye. They actually reminded me of an old Disney movie, “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century.” I remember in that movie the characters were living on some spaceship and had these gray metallic outfits. So that same gray and “living in the galaxy” sort of vibe is what I got from these earrings. They’re actually from Colette’s signature Galaxia collection. They’re priced at $22,500, which is a year’s tuition at some universities and the cost of a decent car. However, I found a pair that I think really echo the color scheme and the same extraterrestrial energy and they cost phenomenally less.

Tickle II Long Earrings – Karolina Bik

The Tickle II Long Earrings are a beautiful alternative to the Star Duster Earrings. And I think they would be just as fitting on the ears of a heroine in a sci-fi movie. You get the same gray and black tones and the same dangle style that will allow for movement. (In order to get this exact color scheme you have to select “top:silver/bottom:black” in the dropdown menu.) These affordable earrings are priced at a cool $100 and will leave you with your college tuition money still in your account.

Would you wear these jewelry dupes? Do you like these wallet-friendly alternatives better than the originals? Let me know in the comments below!

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