You’re getting hitched. And according to tradition, that ancient wisdom everyone decided on without your input, you’ll need a ring. And that ring’s gotta have a big, honkin’ diamond on it — right?

There are cultural expectations around cheap engagement rings and the diamonds on them: How expensive? How big? How sparkly? These material questions are bound, correctly or not, with ideas about love, commitment and security. So we’re not just digging up diamonds here. We’re excavating some serious feelings, too.

That’s why it’s important to have an honest discussion with your significant other about priorities before you get engaged. You might need cheap engagement rings at all — and if you do, diamonds aren’t the only option.

Ring it up?

You’re likely to spend a big chunk of money on a diamond ring. It’s not unusual to drop $3,500 on a one-carat diamond in a basic setting, and you can easily find diamonds and settings that cost more.

Few people spend that much money regularly, and it’s worth thinking about other ways you could use it. The obvious one: a down payment on a house. Or maybe you need to kick-start your retirement savings or pay off student loans. What’s more romantic: a shiny rock or releasing your partner from debt prison?

If you want to keep that spending related to the engagement, you could use cheap engagement rings on the wedding.

What makes a statement about the kind of life you hope to build together? For some, it’s a diamond. But that’s not the only way to symbolize your commitment.

It comes down to this: What’s meaningful to the two of you? What makes a statement about the kind of life you hope to build together? For some, it’s a diamond. But that’s not the only way to symbolize your commitment.