A pandemic proposal? Poundland’s bargain £1 engagement rings are back

The £1 rings have divided opinions online

(PA)

It might not be the expensive diamond ring you always dreamed of, but Poundland’s popular engagement rings have returned to stores.

The range includes a number of different styles and sizes, including faux diamond, ruby and topaz, as well as a gold coloured option and a faux silver band for men – and they all cost just £1.

The rings were first released in time for Valentine’s Day in January 2019 and were marketed as a “placeholder” ring, allowing partners the chance to pick a ring together at a later date - which may be necessary now that jewellery shops are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘bling rings’ - as named by Poundland - proved hugely popular, selling 20,000 within the first week before being removed from stores later that year.

However this week they were spotted in a Poundland store, with the customer sharing the news on the Money Saver Online Facebook page.

The post has garnered more than 1,000 likes and thousands of comments.

One person wrote: “It’s a nice idea. I’ve always wanted to pick my own engagement ring and this means my partner can still surprise me beforehand. I just hope it doesn’t turn my finger green!"

Another added: “If you aren’t sure of your partner’s ring size or if you plan to do it abroad and don’t want to risk losing the expensive one on the journey then why not get a cheap one first? Still makes the whole moment a surprise."

Although others weren’t so enamoured, with one woman posting: “It would be a firm ‘no’ from me if this was the ring my partner chose.”

The average cost of an engagement ring in the UK is £1,483, but findings reveal that only 24 per cent of Brits would expect their partner to spend this much.

Poundland said they wanted to give people a chance to propose “before they need to invest in the real rock.”  

“Popping the question with a Poundland placeholder ring has become a thing,” added the spokesperson.

“And with us likely to be still locked down this Valentines, we reckon it’ll help bridge the gap until couples can visit the jeweller."