Did you know that men in the U.S. spend an average of $6,324 on a single engagement ring?
That's almost a thousand bucks more than the individual credit card debt of $5,331!
Now, if you have that kind of cash lying around at home, that amount won't make a dent in your wallet. But if you're earning $3,500 -- the average monthly salary of the marrying age (25 to 34 years old) -- a $6,000-ring can be too much.
Especially since after proposing, there’s another big purchase to make -- the wedding ring.
The good news is, an affordable wedding ring isn't that hard to find, so long as you know where to look. Best of all, even if they're low-cost rings, they don't look cheap at all.
So, where and what should you look for in the best wedding ring that'll symbolize your eternal love?
This post has you covered, so be sure to keep reading!
1. An Affordable Wedding Ring Should Complement Your Lifestyle
If you and your future spouse lead active lifestyles, your wedding rings should match it. They should be easy to maintain, resistant to scratching, and won't hinder activities. They should also be easy to remove from the finger.
Take gold rings, for instance. These softer metals can easily bend, so you would have to take them off when doing manual, labor work. And since they're easy to bend, they can be harder to take off the finger.
Wedding rings that have diamonds or stones in them also aren't ideal for active women. Bumping the ring against a hard object can lead to these stones popping out of the prongs.
That's why rings made from stronger metals may be better choices for active couples. You'll find tungsten or titanium a great fit for your busy and hectic lifestyle.
2. Go for Titanium Instead of Gold
Titanium is one of the strongest, durable, and corrosion-resistant metals out there. But they're also far more lightweight than many other metals. It's because of these properties that they're highly-valued materials in the aerospace industry.
These properties are also the reason they're now used as wedding ring materials. Titanium wedding rings have an exceptional (and natural) hypoallergenic quality. They also have an excellent shape-holding ability, so they won't deform, dent, or warp over time.
Whereas gold, especially yellow gold, is a softer metal, making it prone to bending. Even the less-bendable white gold is also easy to scratch.
And while titanium has all these advantages over gold, it’s still a lot cheaper.
3. Opt for Tungsten Carbide
Did you know that some people are allergic to gold? In fact, one study found that 10% of participants had a reaction to this metal! And of those who had a reaction, over 60% were women.
Enter tungsten, the most scratch-resistant metal on earth that is also hypoallergenic. If your soon-to-be spouse is allergic to gold, you may want to consider tungsten carbide rings for men.
Since tungsten is even better in resisting scratches than titanium, it's a bit pricier. But in general, they're still some of the most inexpensive wedding rings out there.
Although a bit heavier than titanium, tungsten's weight is more or less like platinum or gold. But they're easier to remove from the finger compared to gold, which is vital in case of a medical emergency.
Tungsten also has a high hardness rating, so it won't bend or deform. In its natural form, it has a gunmetal-like color, but you can get it plated black or white. You can even get a tungsten ring with gold color accents!
4. Consider Unique Rings with Wood Accents
For those looking for unique wedding rings on a budget, wooden wedding rings are a great choice. Their uniqueness comes from the fact that each piece of wood has its own grain pattern. That means you won't find any other ring that has the same grain or lines!
Plus, some wooden rings come from sustainable hardwood species, like mahogany. That makes them a greener choice for eco-friendly couples out there.
Wooden rings made from hardwoods like mahogany, sandalwood, and ebony, are also durable. To make them even stronger, these rings feature tungsten and titanium finishes.
Most wooden rings are also hypoallergenic, making them great alternatives to gold rings.
All these properties are what makes these bands some of the best value wedding rings in the market.
5. Buy from Online Ring Sales
Online ring sales are a great source of cheap but beautiful wedding rings. Get your rings from these online sales, and you may only have to pay half of the normal price!
You don’t have to worry about the quality of these discounted rings. The main reason sellers can offer them at lower prices is because they don’t have a “middle man” to pay. They are often the manufacturers of the rings themselves, so they can afford to lower their rates.
6. Look for Free but Guaranteed-Safe Shipping
To save even more on your ring purchases, look for an online seller offering free shipping. Be careful though, as some websites may only offer free shipping for certain amounts. If you don't meet the required price tag, you may still have to pay for the shipping fee.
Also, be sure there's a way you can track your order. Most online shipments take between two to four weeks. But if your order takes longer than that, the seller should guarantee to check into it for you.
7. Make Sure There’s a Return or Exchange Policy
Just because you're buying low-cost wedding rings doesn't mean you can't exchange it. That's why you should only buy from a seller that has at least a 30-day return or exchange policy. This way, you don't have to buy another ring only because of an accidental sizing mistake.
Shop for Your Beautiful but More Affordable Wedding Rings Now
As you can see, you have many other choices for an affordable wedding ring than diamonds or gold. Today, practicality is more important than a status symbol. Especially if you're one of the 45 million people still paying off their student loans.
Even if you don’t have debts, why not save the money for an exorbitant ring for a down payment on a home? A home for your future family is far more crucial than an expensive wedding ring.
Ready to check out your beautiful, unique, but practical ring options? If so, then feel free to browse our collections! We offer some of the most unique and durable wooden and metal wedding rings.