5 Ways You Can Secretly Save Big Money on Your Engagement Ring or Wedding Band

We're all for splurging on your engagement ring and wedding bands—they're once-in-a-lifetime purchases you'll keep forever. But we'll let you in on a little secret: There are several ways you can secretly save a ton of money on them without sacrificing the style of your dreams. Below, find five small tweaks that'll save you big bucks on a ring or band that still feels perfect for you.

1. Think About Metal

When it comes to both your band and ring, a slightly different metal can make a world of difference price-wise. For instance, white gold and titanium (a darker shade of silver) look extremely similar to the naked eye, but white gold costs more. The biggest price difference, however, is between platinum and gold: Platinum is rarer (it's mined much less frequently) and stronger (it's extremely durable) than gold. Thus, it's significantly more expensive than its gold counterpart. You'll of course want to consider the level of upkeep—a metal with longevity and scratch-resistance might save you money in the long run—but a less expensive metal like titanium or gold will certainly save you money up front.

2. Size Down (Slightly)

Fun fact: A 1.9 carat diamond will be much more cost efficient than a 2 carat diamond, even though the disparity only equates to 0.1. Weird, right? It's a simple way to save lots of cash—just don't choose a whole carat size. When placed in a setting, no one will be able to tell the difference anyway.

3. Ditch the Diamond

Diamonds will probably always be the most popular choice when it comes to engagement rings, but lately, gorgeous colored gems are having a major moment. Between emeralds, rubies and sapphires, the alternative options are endless and less expensive—so you'll be able to afford a larger rock. If you're really trying to save money, stunning stones like amethyst, topaz and garnet are as cost efficient as they are lustrous. And if you still want to include diamonds somehow, simply opt for a band with small ones surrounding the setting.

4. Go for Mosaic

Mosaic settings are magical—they give the appearance of having a massive, whole diamond, when in reality, it's a "mosaic" of smaller ones. You can also get a regular, smaller diamond and simply choose a setting with smaller diamonds surrounding the stone—it makes it look like the head of the diamond has a greater surface area than it actually does. See? Magic.

5. Consider the Color Grade

Much of a white diamond's value comes from its "color grade"—a scale (it goes from "D" through "Z") measuring the presence of color. D, E and F are considered colorless, and thus, they have a much greater value. Anything below that has a slightly yellow tint—and the lower on the scale, the lower the price point (oftentimes significantly so). Hints of color are extremely difficult to detect to an untrained eye, especially when placed on a colored setting like a gold band, so you'll still get a gorgeous ring for a decidedly lower price.