BLING ON A BUDGET

GO FOR GOLD

To get the same stylish look as platinum, consider a ring with a white gold setting. While there are plenty of pros when it comes to platinum—it’s an extremely durable, natural white metal, it won’t change color, plus it gives off a gorgeous polish—all of those good qualities come at a price. “Platinum is rarer and purer than white gold, which makes it more expensive,” says Katie Zimmerman, chief merchandising officer at Blue Nile. White gold is an alloy (read: a mixture of gold and a white metal like nickel, silver or palladium), meaning it may lose its silvery-white color over time. However, if you don’t mind replating your ring, it’s a still a super-chic option.

TRY MINIMALISM

The more elaborate (think: blinged out) the setting, the more a ring will cost. “If you’re on a tight budget, look for daintier settings,” says Angela Karaguezian, vice president of Kirk