What Does A $15,000 Engagement Ring Look Like? [With Examples]

If you have a budget of around $15,000, then you may be wondering what an engagement ring in this price range typically looks like. I spent some time looking at the different options and would like to give you an overview of what to expect here today.

So, what does a $15,000 engagement ring look like? A $15,000 engagement ring can look very different depending on the gemstone, setting and style chosen. That being said, an engagement ring of this price should typically include at least a 1.5-2 carat gemstone, as is the case for diamond engagement rings. Other more affordable gemstones are likely to be bigger at this price point.

It’s always good to set your expectations, and also serves as a method of due diligence. This way, when you begin contacting or visiting jewelers, you’ll have a point of reference.

Let us now take a closer look at some of the questions you may have, factors that influence the price, and then, of course, those examples of what each ring at $15,000 looks like!

How Much Should You Spend On An Engagement Ring?

First and foremost, let’s quickly address the common question; of how much should you be looking to spend. Is $15,000 even in the right vicinity?

Well, how much you want and can spend varies from person to person.

That being said, the average engagement ring in the United States is between $1500-$5000.

So as you can see, with a budget of $15,000; you’re in a good position.

You’ll often hear about your salary and how many months pay you should be spending. That’s a rather outdated and ineffective approach.

Instead, so long as you can afford the ring, be able to insure it and it does not impact your quality of life thereafter, there is no reason to settle on any arbitrary figure.

Generally, those who pay $15,000 for an engagement ring have an annual salary of around $125,000-$150,000, but again, there are exceptions.

It’s ultimately up to you and what you feel you can manage with your finances.

But don’t feel the need to necessary spend $15,000 – besides, you can get an impressive ring for $10,000!

What Can I Get With A $15,000 Engagement Ring Budget?

If you are in the process of running your finances and researching for ring options, looking at what you can get for $15,000 is a good starting point.

At this price, so long as you purchase from a reputable jeweler (do your research and due diligence), you should be looking at a very impressive looking ring.

Besides, with more behind you, you’ll also be able to get a larger gemstone with better clarity and a stunning design to match.

It’s also important to consider that an engagement ring is priced based on three different factors:

1. Gemstone Type (with Diamond typically being the most expensive)
2. Gemstone Size
3. Ring Setting and Style.

For the most part, the majority of the cost is in the gemstone – and the quality of it.

You may be familiar with the four C’s which are often used to define the quality of a ring:

• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat

These are often used to outline the properties of a gemstone, especially with diamonds.

For an engagement ring of around $15,000, you’ll probably be looking for a diamond between 1.5 and 2 carats, but what is available will depend on the other C’s referenced above (color, clarity, and cut) of your chosen gemstone.

As diamond is typically the most expensive, what you will be able to get in terms of the carat of the other gemstones could be much larger.

What Does A $15,000 Engagement Ring Look Like? (Examples)

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, you’ll have a range of different designs and styles to select from. The main ones being:

• Solitaire
• Halo
• Vintage
• Pave
• Sidestones
• Shoulder Set
• Trilogy
• Rubover

Let us now run through each one and give you an example of what each would look like:

Solitaire

This is perhaps the most popular style. It will feature a singular gemstone at the center.

With this option, a lot of your budget will go into the clarity of the diamond.

Halo

The Halo is becoming increasingly more popular. Again, it features a central diamond but there are many small diamonds that have been added around it.

Giving the ring additional sparkle and glam.

Vintage

As the name suggests, these rings vary in style but often carry an older, vintage look and appearance.

Pave

Similar to a Halo, there is also the Pave design, where the shank of the ring is also lined with smaller diamonds:

Sidestones

The side stone design typically features a further 2 diamonds or gemstones to join the central diamond. At $15,000 your budget would get you a ring like this:

Shoulder Set

Another ring design to feature further stones, this time the smaller gemstones feature partmway around the band, like shoulders on either side of the central stone:

Trilogy

As the name suggests, a ring that features three gemstones, often similar in size, alongside one another:

Rubover

Considered more modern than other styles, Rubover rings use a slightly different technique to hold the main gemstone in place. Often using a continuous band of metal:

What To Expect When You Buy A $15,000 Engagement Ring

Once you have decided on the gemstone and general style for your ring, your options do not stop there.

You also have to consider the gemstone shape (which can range from round to heart to pear) and then the metal type of the band itself (platinum, yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, etc).

And then there is the clarity which can range from:

• Small Inclusions(SI 2)
• Small Inclusions(SI 1)
• Very Small Inclusions(VS 2)
• Very Small Inclusions(VS 1)
• Minute Inclusions (VVS 2)
• Minute Inclusions (VVS 1)
• Internally Flawless (IF)

With each one being more expensive as you go down the list and representing the quality of the gemstone itself.

The truth is, there is a lot to think about.

Where To Buy An Engagement Ring With A $15,000 Budget

With a budget of $15,000, you are going to want to look primarily at higher-end jewelers – whether they are online or bespoke brick-and-mortar jewelry stores.

Personally, I would not look any further than James Allen.

And here is why I would do so.

• James Allen provides a lifetime warranty on all of their rings,
• You can speak with one of their specialist gemologists at any time, 24/7, regardless of where you are currently at. Still researching, or already made your purchase – they’ll provide their expertise.
• They sell only GIA and AGS-certified diamonds.
• They ship worldwide,
• Provide free resizing for up to a year,
• Offer a 30 day return policy
• And offer financing options.

Plus they offer highly competitive rates too.

And what’s more, their site is so easy to navigate and use. You can even use their 360 ° display technology to see exactly what your $15,000 engagement ring will look like if you were to proceed.

And you have a lot of options when it comes to styles, metals, and gemstones.

So you can craft exactly the kind of ring your partner will love.

It’s no coincidence that they are one of the most reputable online jewelry stores.

So, click here to visit James Allen and find the ring of your partner’s dreams.

Finally

As you can see, engagement rings can look very different even at the same price.

No matter what you opt for, at $15,000 you should have more than enough in the budget to get your partner something extra special.

So, some of the best things that you can now do is continue your research, talk to a reputable jeweler, and better yet, try to find out from your partner exactly what kind of ring they would like.

Trust me, you’ll want to have some guidance!

Just ask indirectly, or subtly, of course.