Engagement rings, on the cheap side

I agree with Etsy. It has so many amazing and unique jewelry items.

If I hadn't found my ideal ring, Gemvara is where I would have gone... but it also would have been more. I went to Zales and searched by my favorite diamond cut, marquise. Found a 1/2 of a carat center stone set in a white gold band with 1 baguette on each side, making the TW 1/2 carat. It was $857. With a sale we saved $58, and got it with taxes for $874. It just happened my ring was on clearance. Marquise rings aren't as popular as they once were. My point? It can be done, and try searching by your favorite cut and see what pops up. Also, it's rumored Zales will be having a 20% off sale Black Friday!! Happy shopping

I think the other ladies have covered options pretty well, but I did want to make a note about Morganite, which also applies to some other colored stones. It's much softer than a diamond, so you have to be gentle with it so you don't ruin it. If you're a Calamity Jane like me, it's better suited for earrings and necklaces. That being said, it's one of my very favorite stones, and if you can be nice to it, I think it would look beautiful.

FH got my ring off Etsy. It's out of the range you mentioned, but maybe the pic will give you an idea of the unique designs those sellers offer. It's a natural, conflict-free diamond, which factored into the cost (pictured with matching wedding band):

Kohls

I have a moissanite center stone. I definitely didn't cost less than $800 though but I would look into it. I did buy my FH's wedding band off amazon for $22.

I second the diamond nexus suggestion. The value for the product is incredible. I've seen them first hand and can vouch for the high quality of their work.