You may think that when you’re getting engaged to your partner, you have to give them an engagement ring. After all, it’s the traditional symbol of getting engaged. You buy your partner a ring and then they buy you one.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you’ve ever thought ‘how can I propose without an engagement ring?’, then we’ve got good news for you. Alternative engagement rings are mainstream, and there are plenty of them.
You may have heard of some, while others may be completely new to you. Whatever the case, we’re sure you’ll enjoy hearing about them.
That’s also why we’ve written this guide. It’s difficult to come up with ideas, especially when you’re busy and have a lot going on. Even if you do have ideas for alternative engagement rings, you might not know if it’s right to suggest or make use of them.
In the final sections of the guide, we’ll look at alternatives to engagement ring for him, and alternatives to engagement ring for her.
That way, you’ll be fully informed on whether choosing an alternative is the right thing to do, and then you’ll have a range of alternatives to choose from.
Is an engagement ring necessary?
It’s very common to buy an engagement ring, and many people see it as the traditional option. It’s been done for many centuries, ever since the Pope in 1215 created a waiting period between the promise of marriage and the actual marriage itself.
Rings have developed a great deal since the distant past, and now there is a huge range of alternative engagement rings. Some have diamonds, some are made of gold, and others are simply tungsten bands.
But despite all of these options for rings, you don’t need to get one. No law or rule specifies that it’s required for couples to get an engagement ring. The priority that you need to keep in mind is whether the ring is necessary for you.
Is it something that will make a real and lasting difference to your relationship, and serve as a reminder of the day of your engagement for decades to come? Or is the actual event itself more important to you than anything you wear to symbolize it? The answer to that question is down to you.
Some people believe that buying rings shows deep commitment, and is a way of confirming what has already been shared with words. Other people believe it’s something nice to have, but that the promise of marriage is the key, and nothing else matters beyond that.
In addition, some women have given interviews explaining why they preferred a proposal without a ring. One said that a ring would make her feel like her partner wanted to impress her more than to propose to her.
Another said that although she wasn’t concerned by the lack of a ring, it did leave her wondering whether the engagement had happened. So it’s a good idea to buy something, even if it’s not a ring. We’ll explore this more in the next section.
One woman’s partner simply admitted he hadn’t had time to pick a ring, so had to do the proposal without one. That’s a last-minute situation, but it does happen.
Finally, one woman was proposed to while her partner was a student and she was an intern. They didn’t particularly value jewelry and were happy to have a ringless proposal.
Can you propose with something other than a ring?
Alternative engagement rings have a lot to offer, but you can also go without a ring entirely, and buy something else. When you make that choice, you’ll probably think ‘can you propose with something other than a ring?’.
The answer to that is yes. You can propose in any place, at any time, and with any object that you think fits the occasion. Just because tradition states that you should buy a ring, you don’t have to. You can buy something completely different.
But the reason a ring has become associated with tradition is that it’s the most common symbol of commitment between partners. A commitment with words may be sincere, but it adds some comfort if it’s backed up in physical terms.
However, some people don’t care about the physical part and are happy with the commitment they’ve received emotionally. The option you choose depends on both yourself and your partner’s worldview.
If you know that they’d appreciate something material, then it’s worth getting them something that looks amazing. If it’s not such a big priority, then you can choose something else. There are many options, and we’ll explore some of them in a moment.
One thing that you should consider above all is what you think your partner wants. By that, we mean something more specific than just a material object. If they’ve expressed a desire for a particular item, then that’s what you should buy.
For example, if they like the thought of a diamond engagement ring, then buying them something made with moissanite or Swarovski crystals wouldn’t be appropriate. It would look similar, but wouldn’t be what they wanted.
If they want to have an alternative to a ring, then you should make sure it’s not something that will wear out easily. You could propose using something like a pair of shoes or a handbag, but these aren’t on our list of preferred choices because they’ll only be useful for a year or two.
Similarly, a larger object like a car or a house would be extravagant and useful, but they’re not very romantic. That means you’d end up impressing your partner, but not celebrating the occasion of your engagement.
What can I use instead of an engagement ring?
If you don’t want to propose with an engagement ring, and you’ve been thinking ‘what can I use instead of an engagement ring?’, then we’ve got a whole list for you. You’ll probably be surprised at how many options there are.
A Ring Box
If you don’t want to pick a particular ring, or you know that your partner is picky, then you can simply get the box. That way you and your partner can go ring shopping later on.
A Written Proposal
Buying a physical object isn’t necessary either. You can do something a little different. If you’re an author, you might want to write an acknowledgment for your partner in your latest title. If you’ve recorded an album, you might want to write a proposal in a thank-you section.
Different Jewelry
If you still want to buy jewelry for your partner but rings are not preferred, then you can pick alternatives. These include earrings, watches, bracelets, and necklaces. As long as your partner likes it, then it’s a job well done.
Artwork
If you create art yourself, or you know someone that does, you could build them a custom-made sculpture. It will serve as a lasting memory of the effort you put in for them, whether you paid for something special and consulted on the design, or built it by hand.
Photographs
A great way to show affection for your partner is to share precious memories from your relationship. Photographs are a brilliant way to do that, and you may even want to add captions.
Birthstone Jewelry
If you’d rather not get diamonds, which can cost a lot, but you still want to make a difference, then birthstones are a great choice. You can pick out any type of jewelry you prefer, and then add your partner’s birthstone. If you want to get even more personal, you can add an engraving.
Flowers
These might seem like an odd choice because flowers die within a week or two. But not if you dry them out and press them into a journal. If you do that, they can last for as long as they’re left untouched. They’ll trigger memories of your special moment every time you look at them.
An Heirloom
If your family has something special that’s been passed down for generations, then you might want to give it to your partner. After all, they’re a part of the family now!
Alternative to engagement ring for him
VINTAGE THOR HAMMER PENDANT NECKLACE
If your man loves his superheroes, and you want to give him a symbol of strength, then why not pick this Thor Hammer pendant. It looks high-quality, and it’s made in a vintage style. You won’t find this design anywhere else, and you can benefit from free shipping, no matter where you live.
To cover some specifics, the pendant is made from stainless steel, and the chain is almost 24 inches in length. The measurements of the pendant are 42mm to 18mm. It’s also on a sale right now, reduced from $39.99 to $30.99
CROSS STEEL EARRINGS
If your partner is a believer in Christianity, then he should enjoy these special cross earrings. They’re made from stainless steel, and it’s AAA grade quality. They’re small and won’t get in the way, but will be visible to anyone who looks closely.
In terms of the details, the length of the cross is 20 mm in total, and the earring hoops are 9 mm wide. It only weighs 2.5 grams, so it won’t feel heavy on the ears. Each earring comes wrapped individually so that it stays safe. Finally, you can currently get these for $59.99
MEN’S MALACHITE CHARM LEATHER BEADED CHAKRA BRACELET
For something that a man can wear to stand out, there’s no better choice than this beaded malachite bracelet. If you didn’t know, malachite is a bright green mineral that looks stunning. This bracelet has a leather band with the beads attached, which makes it look classy too.
The leather is genuine, the malachite is natural, and it closes magnetically. The total length of the bracelet is about 8.2 inches. Malachite is also known to be a healing stone, so it could help your man’s energy levels too.
AUTOMATIC STAINLESS STEEL WATCH
If your man is a professional businessman, and he needs to keep track of his time, then getting him a beautiful men’s watch would make a fantastic engagement gift. This one comes in a variety of colors and even has a complete calendar.
The band is made from stainless steel, and it’s luminous too. You’ll also find it can resist water. The width of the band is 20mm and the case thickness is 12.5 mm. At the moment, you can buy it for $179.99
Alternative to engagement ring for her
MINIMALIST NATURAL STONE PENDANT NECKLACE
If the lady in your life doesn’t like flashy jewelry, then this is the perfect pendant. It hangs from a simple gold chain and has a smooth stone in the center. The chain and the rest of the metal surrounding the stone can also be silver plated if you choose.
It’s made from stainless steel and will compliment any outfit because of its minimalist design. It’s not clear what sizes this product comes in, but if you enquire with the store then you should be able to find out. The cost for the pendant is $44.99
TRANSPARENT GLASS STONE DROP EARRING – GREEN 18K GOLD PLATED EARRING
If your partner likes to wear earrings, then she’ll love this stunning pair of emerald quartz earrings, plated in gold. They have a small sphere followed by an oval, and it looks very elegant indeed.
The gold they’re plated in is also 18 carat, so you’re getting great quality with these. It’s also guaranteed not to lose its shine or color, plus it’s hypoallergenic. It’s also meant to last for an entire lifetime.
But the best part is the cost. For this pair of earrings, you’ll only be paying $32.99. That’s a very good price for earrings plated in 18 carat gold.
SWEET TWEETS STERLING SILVER BRACELET
One of the most beautiful bracelets for women that we’ve ever seen is this. It’s a perfect choice if your partner loves birds. It’s shaped like a curved silver twig, with two little gold colored birds sat on it. The silver is genuine, being 925 sterling.
The birds on the branch are crafted with care and look as lovely as the bracelet itself. It also benefits from free shipping anywhere in the world. It’s a little bit pricier than some of the other options, coming in at $80.99, but for an engagement gift, it’s well worth the cost.
GOLD TIRO SWISS WATCH
This watch is suitable for both men and women and will look good no matter where it’s worn. It’s made of stainless steel but plated in gold. The diameter of the watch is 38mm, and it’s shower-proof too.
The watch also displays the current date in a small window on the right-hand side, and the strap has a pleasant pattern too. It’s also hand-made in Switzerland, so you know you’re getting something good. Currently, the watch is selling for $321.99, which might seem expensive, but it is gold-plated!
Hey Fashion Enthusiasts! My wife Chantal and I, have been so fortunate to be able to share our latest inspiration and trends in the jewelry and accessory industry, and more so, to get this amazing feedback from our ever growing community. Where my wife focusses more on all things rings, weddings and female jewelry, I love to scoop out the newest accessories for men. I roam around the world to find the latest watches, bags, sunglasses, scarfs, wallets, you name it and I’ll deliver! I always commit to doing a lot of research to share my reviews and personalized advice on this blog or on our store. If you do not know what to wear, send me an email and I will help you out!