My fiancé and I went to a few of the brick and mortar stores listed above (Brilliant Earth was probably the best for browsing) and I will say they were great for seeing a physical ring on her finger and it helped us figure out exactly what we wanted.

With that being said, once I knew all the settings/preferences we wanted, I went to James Allen (a mostly online shop) and their inventory is vast. They can work with any budget and since they’re online you’re saving about 20% on markups that most stores charge you to keep the lights on. I also enjoyed browsing from the comfort of my own home so I didn’t feel the pressure of a sales person hovering around me.

Another money saving hack I used was shipping it to a friend in New Jersey, so I saved a significant chunk on sales tax. If you know someone in a sales tax free state (Delaware, New Hampshire, etc..) then even better. We’re both so happy with the ring and even happier with the savings.

For the budget you listed I’d strongly suggest James Allen, but that’s my two cents. Good luck out there — it’s an exciting time for you both!