Asda has decided to help romantics on a budget this year by launching their very own £1 engagement ring. The bargain ring has unsurprisingly divided opinion, with one Leicestershire Live reader saying it 'doesn't look half bad' and another branding it a 'hoola hoop'.

But Asda isn't the only retailer to launch an £1 engagement ring, with Poundland also offering their own budget-friendly option. I was intrigued to see for myself what the divisive ring looked like so I drove to my local Asda only to find that the rings sold so fast, I was faced with an empty heart-shaped box sitting on the shelf. My second attempt was successful and I was able to bag myself one.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, many shoppers will no doubt be looking for special gifts for their loved one, but with the cost of living crisis having an effect on people's spending, it's no wonder wallet friendly options are becoming popular. I do wonder whether those purchasing the ring are intending to genuinely propose to someone or they just fancied a cute piece of jewellery like myself.

What the £1 ring looks like

The ring comes in a not-too-shabby heart-shaped box

I was really impressed with the cute heart-shaped case the ring comes in which has a lovely velvety feel to it. The box is smaller than I thought it would be, but there's no point in it being bigger, really. The ring itself wasn't mind-blowing but the quality was far superior to what I anticipated.

For a quid, I was really not expecting much which is why I was so pleasantly surprised. The ring features a small faux diamond embedded on a plain silver band and fits comfortably on my finger. I can't for certain say it would fit everyone though, as I only spotted one size on the shelf. But it's sturdy enough and certainly doesn't look like it might fall apart.

Would I like to be proposed to with it?

Although the ring is far superior to my expectations and certainly looks like it could have cost more than £1, personally I'm not sure I would be overly pleased if my partner of eight years got down on one knee to propose with it. That's mainly because I've never wanted to be proposed to with an 'engagement-y' looking ring anyway, let alone one that's made of plastic.

I do think it would make a lovely placeholder for someone who doesn't know their other half's ring size and the perfect option for a spontaneous proposal. It would definitely make a quirky story to share with friends.

For those who desperately want to propose to their partner but can't afford to spend a fortune on a ring just yet, or know for a fact that their other half will prefer the gesture over the price tag, this is the ring for it. It certainly looks lovely and is a great way of symbolising commitment to someone.

Final verdict

The Asda £1 engagement ring has surpassed my expectations. It's cute, sturdy, affordable and you can get it while doing your food shopping - what's not to like? And if you're not planning on getting engaged, it's still a good jokey gift for your best friend or for yourself - because self-love is important too.

I have not worn it for too long, so I can't say if it would end up giving me a green finger or not. But for a quid, who cares? Asda has certainly done a decent job in creating a quirky Valentine's gift.

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