bling on a budget

It’s common knowledge engagement rings are pricey. According to The Knot 2017 Jewelry and Engagement study, the average ring costs $6,351. While that sparkler is an investment, shopping smart can lower the cost. Read on to get the most bang for your buck—without sacrificing your style.

1 Go for gold

There are plenty of pros when it comes to platinum: It’s an extremely durable, natural white metal, so it won’t change color or fade, and it gives off a gorgeous white shine and silky polish. But all those good qualities unfortunately come with a price. “Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold and more difficult to extract from mines, which