Last-minute Valentine’s proposal – how a placeholder ring could save the day

If you’ve decided that this Valentine’s Day is the moment to propose, you might now be realising something: getting an engagement ring isn’t always as quick as grabbing one off the shelf. Lots of them are made to order and take time to make and arrive, especially during busy periods.

Or you might have a different reason for not wanting a “real” engagement right right now. Maybe you’re jetting off on holiday and don’t want to risk losing the real ring in your suitcase. Or perhaps you’re saving up for the perfect one and you're just not there yet.

Whatever the reason, a placeholder ring can be a small but clever little helper. It lets you ask the big question now, and sort the “forever ring” later.

What is a placeholder ring?

A placeholder ring is a simple, affordable ring you use when you want to propose before buying the real engagement ring. It’s often made with cubic zirconia (a sparkly but low-cost stone) and set in silver, steel or another budget-friendly metal.

Where to buy a cheap placeholder ring before Valentine’s Day

You don’t need to spend much to get something that looks special. Several UK jewellers sell cubic zirconia rings that look like the real deal and many offer fast delivery in time for Valentine’s Day.

Ernest Jones – from £35

Ernest Jones sells a wide range of cubic zirconia rings starting at £35. They’re sparkly, simple and ideal as proposal stand-ins. Many can be delivered before Valentine’s Day if you order soon.

If you’re a thinkmoney SmartPlus customer, you can get your Ernest Jones placeholder ring even cheaper with PlusSave. PlusSave’s discounted gift cards give you an extra 7.5% off your shop right now.

H Samuel – from £9.99

If you want to keep costs very low, H Samuel has cubic zirconia rings starting at £9.99. They still look convincing, come in lots of styles and sizes, and many are available for quick delivery.

If you’ve got a thinkmoney SmartPlus account, you can get an extra 7.5% off your spend at H Samuel right now, cutting the cost of your placeholder ring even further.

Beaverbrooks – placeholder rings with a money‑back scheme

Beaverbrooks sells dedicated “proposal rings” and even lets you deduct the cost of the placeholder ring from your real engagement ring later. It’s a great way to propose now and upgrade together. Full details and terms are on the Beaverbrooks website.

Bottom line

If you’re set on a Valentine’s Day proposal but the real ring isn’t ready, or you simply don’t have it yet, a placeholder ring is an easy fix. It keeps the moment special, looks great in photos, and gives you both time to choose the perfect engagement ring later.