Go With Lab Diamonds

Many celebrity rings are expensive because of the size of the diamond. Brenna Ferrention, a diamond specialist with Ritani, says that the best way to get a bigger, higher-quality diamond for less is to choose a lab-grown diamond.

"Lab diamonds can cost 30-50% less than earth-grown diamonds, allowing you to wear a massive diamond ring for a fraction of the cost," says Ferrention. "Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds (they are not the same thing as cubic zirconia) and they look identical to earth-grown diamonds—you can't tell the two apart."

Buy a Diamond a Little Smaller Than You Want

One helpful trick that can save you hundreds of dollars, and still give you a celebrity looking ring, is to buy a diamond shy of your desired carat weight.

Ferrention says if you are looking to buy a 1-carat diamond, look for diamonds in the .90-.99 carat range instead. This can help you save hundreds of dollars, and a .90-carat diamond will look identical in size to a 1-carat diamond.

Consider a Sapphire

Looking for a ring just like J-Lo’s engagement ring? Amanda Treviso, a buyer at Shane Co., says that going with a sapphire ring (just like J-Lo’s ring) will save you a lot of cash.

"Most recently, the lovely Jennifer Lopez stunned with her rare, green diamond engagement ring," says Treviso. "While we adore this, most of us are not looking to drop celebrity dough. Instead of a diamond, inquire about green sapphires; they come in a range of hues and are a fraction of the cost."

Try the Floating Halo Look

One setting that can make your ring look bigger than it is, is the halo setting. Treviso says that rather than filling your ring’s halo with a huge diamond, opt for a framed center like Jodie Sweetin's ring.

"Floating halos are an up-and-coming trend and allow for a larger look without dropping all your money on a giant stone! The fresh look paginates beautifully on the finger," says Treviso. "Additionally, if you partner with a jeweler with a strong trade-in policy, you can swap for a larger center diamond down the line if you ever change your mind."

Swap Out a Diamond for Another Stone

A popular style in 2022, thanks to Megan Fox, is the ‘Moi et Toi engagement ring, which is a ring with multiple stones.

Treviso says that this look can be quite costly given that there are not one but two stones.

"To achieve the same look at a fraction of the price, opt for a white sapphire instead of a diamond. Work with elongated stones (i.e. ovals, pears, emeralds, marquises) to give a larger appearance, and use gemstones for your color pop as they’re more cost effective. Morganite and aquamarine are great options," says Treviso.

Pick an Elongated Stone

In general, if you want a ring that looks like one a celebrity has, you’ll want a stone that looks bigger than average. Treviso says to achieve a larger stone look, go with an elongated stone on a delicate solitaire to really drop some drama. "Elongated stones appear larger given their surface area, so you get bragging rights without the hefty price tag. Stick to ovals, emeralds, marquises, and pears. You also save money by opting for a simple setting."

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