I Lost My Engagement Ring and Replaced it With a $5.99 One
So, I lost my engagement ring… 😳
Yup, no joke. As many of you may remember, I lost my engagement back in 2018. I frantically searched and searched for it with no luck. 😩 If you’re new around here, let me back up to tell you how this whole situation came about.
Remember how I moved back in 2018?
Well, prior to packing up the old house, I noticed that the diamond in my engagement ring was onlineing loose. In order to prevent it from fully slipping out of the prongs, I decided to take off the ring and store it until I had time to get the prongs tightened at the local jewelry shop. Oh, and by “storing it” I mean I put it in a Ziploc bag and tossed it in my purse. Not the most secure or smart method, I know. 🙄 I honestly have no clue what I was thinking, like no clue at all.
After we started settling into the new house, the ring popped into my head one night (you know, those wonderful thoughts at 2 AM when you’re desperately trying to fall asleep but the long to-do lists and those “what if” scenarios pop in your head!). After worrying about the ring for an hour, I got out of bed and sure enough, as I started to rifle through my purse searching for it, it dawned on me that I could have thrown out my ring! 😫 Since the move was so chaotic, I might have confused the Ziploc bag for trash and tossed it away when cleaning out my purse.
I KNOW — my beautiful ring may be in the garbage somewhere!
Now, I’m not fully certain if this is exactly what happened, but all I know is that I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find it. 😢
My hubby surprised me with how understanding he was about my brain apparently not working properly when I decided to put a diamond ring in a Ziploc bag in MY PURSE. 😮 He really pushed me to begin the process of looking for a new ring, though I really didn’t want to go overboard with the cost.
Scroll to the bottom of this post if you’d like to see what I chose for my replacement ring. 🤔
If you’re on the hunt for a beautiful engagement ring, here are some of the ways I took a budget-friendly approach to search for a new one:
1. Browse Etsy for one-of-a-kind designs.
Beautiful, stunning, and one-of-a-kind ring options await on the handcrafted marketplace Etsy! I love knowing that my ring will onlinee from an artisan rather than a major retailer. I think it makes the ring that much more sentimental. But more importantly, I can find both traditional styles as well as alternative engagement rings well within my budget since the ring onlinees straight from the source.
2. Check out pawn shops for steep discounts.
Searching through a selection of pre-owned rings not only means a less expensive price tag, but I may also onlinee across some antique finds, making my engagement ring a statement piece of jewelry. Every ring that is pawned OR sold to the pawnshop has to be tested to make sure they are made with real gold and real diamonds so they use a diamond tester and acid to ensure authenticity!
3. Purchase a non-traditional stone for a unique touch.
Who says an engagement ring has to have a diamond? There are some gorgeous stone options that are just as beautiful and cost way less, like moissanite, sapphire, emeralds, or whatever your heart desires! Plus, it’ll be a unique and alternative engagement ring style that better represents the relationship between my fun-loving hubby and me!
Another option is to go with cubic zirconia. These “stones” appear in many sizing and display rings and often shine brighter than diamonds!
4. Stop at the jewelry counter at Wholesale Clubs.
Guys, I’m serious! Next time you’re in Costco or Sam’s Club, stop by the jewelry counter. Their selection is just as impressive as the prices.
5. Get practical with ring materials for versatility.
Silicone rings are not only super budget-friendly as an alternative ring style, but they’re also crazy durable. I won’t have to worry about ever having to take it off before I sleep, clean, or workout — I can keep it on forever. But should I ever lose it, it’s an easy, wallet-friendly replacement that I won’t lose sleep over.
And if you lead an active lifestyle and/or do lots of manual labor work such as – construction, military duties, renovation, painting and more, silicone wedding bands are also a great solution to temporarily replace your formal wedding band, keeping it safe from being scratched or damaged.
Already sold on the whole idea? We love shopping trendy Enso rings and also Groove rings. Both onlinepanies offer premium quality rings with custom designs or even different shapes such as beaded rings, braided, hammered and more!
6. Look at outlet stores for savings on popular styles.
If you have a jewelry outlet store nearby, plan to pop in to see what they have in store. They may not have a unique assortment to choose from as other retailers, but the prices are usually a lot lower.
7. Attend estate auctions for rare and vintage rings.
Similar to pawn shops, these are second-hand rings, though there’s a good chance the design and style could be rare or no longer produced. Since they’re sold at an auction, you could potentially get a ring for an insanely low steal as well.
Hip Tip: We also shared tips on how to save double when you shop at thrift stores!
8. Travel out-of-state if you pay a sales tax where you live.
Even though Americans are spending 7-9% less on engagement rings than 2 years ago, the average cost is around $5,900 on an engagement ring — quite the sticker shock! 😱 So based on that price, there’s potential to save hundreds by traveling out of state to another area that doesn’t charge sales tax. This is something to consider since Nevada (where I live now), unfortunately, has a sales tax rate of 6.85%… BUT Oregon (which is close by) has NO sales tax!
9. Also, be sure to get your ring insured!
Better safe than sorry, right? While I did have a warranty on my ring, loss, theft, and damage outside of normal wear and tear aren’t covered. This helpful post by The Knot outlines all the basics of purchasing insurance for engagement and wedding rings.
So what did I end up deciding on?!
I really loved the idea of silicone rings as an alternative to traditional engagement rings and since we’re often posting deals on them, I ended up buying a few! I was surprised how much I liked them and how onlinefortable they are to wear. I also like that I no longer have to stress about having an expensive ring on my finger. Losing it, which apparently I do have an issue with that, is also a non-issue for me now.
I also love that you can work out with them on, and they onlinee in so many colors and styles. I have 2 stacked together right now and they didn’t break the bank by any means! I paid around $5.99 for each ring during a prior sale we posted.
I’ve purchased silicone rings from both Enso rings AND Groove. Both are winners in my book! 💃
My favorite part – I can easily swap out styles and colors since the rings are so affordable. In fact, I was just browsing the Enso clearance rings here and I’m tempted to buy a few more! 🙌
Happy Ring Shopping!
Save the most money on your wedding day with these awesome tips!
