Engagement Rings?!?!?!?!?

Question

I know that my boyfriend is going to ask me to marry him on my birthday... I have figured that much out & he has been talking to me about rings (like asking me my ring size & how much do people spend on engagement rings... what I like) We have been talkig about all of this for a few weeks now & have been dateing two years.

My first question is... what is a good amount to spend & how do we figure out what we can afford? We where thinking under a thousand. He makes a little over $2,000 a month and I have a part time job but am still in college(I will be done this year) is that too much? I am just unsure how to figure it all out & don't want him to spend too much!!!!

My second question is what are some nice alternatives to diamonds... I am just wounering what else is out there & where are good places to look for high quality affordable rings?

I am sooo very excited!!!! (-: t/y!

Answer 1

Pick a setting you LOVE.  The find a stone (gemstone) that you really really like.  Have it set in the setting.  And for you anniversary some year your hubby can replace the gemstone with a diamond, and make the gemstone into a pretty pendant for you to wear too.  That way you save money now, but still get the ring you want in the end...

Answer 2

It is customary to spend 2-3 times his monthly pay checks, but I would spend as much as I feel comfortable with. Have him try researching online, he can probably save 30%. Try http://www.jamesallen.com/ or http://www.bluenile.com they both have well priced diamonds and high quality rings with a 30 day return policy. You can always have one of your friends email him a hint from the ring page you like best. Good luck !

Answer 3

Nowadays, it is important to pick out what you like and not the cost. When my husband and I went out looking for my engagement ring we went to several stores and took our time. I had gone looking for a few days before deciding on what I wanted. I had gone to Alpine Jeweler and picked out a ring. Mine is white/gold with a blue stone. My husband had picked up the ring a week before Mother's Day because it was on sale. My ring was inexpensive, but it is what I wanted.

Mine has a blue stone in it because it is my favorite color. I have a friend who had gotten a red stone in hers because it is her future hubby's birthstone.  

Answer 4

Hi

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Don't worry about the price you should definitely talk it through and discuss a price you're both comfortable with!

You can get fantastic quality for just under a grand but you comprimise on the other factors (see below)!

Diamonds are classic plus nothing shines like a nicely cut diamond.

Maybe just wander through some boutique stores and chain stores as well, to discover the style, stone and everything else you want in an engagement ring!

It all depends what you want in a diamond (if its what you choose) as well. What matters to you.

Size

Colour

Whether its got any "scratches or black smudges" (clarity)

and what shape

If you want 1ct then you;ve got to be willing to comprimise on colour and clarity in order for it to fit in you're budget.

But if you really want good colour and good clarity then you've gotta go smaller with the size!

Good starting points are knowing which cut of diamond and carat gold you want.

Use the salesperson to the best of your ability!

if you're worried about colour don't go lower than an "I" if that because then it looks really yellow!

If you're worried about clarity dont go below SI2 because any lower and you can see the scratches and smudges in the diamond!

Also if you want to go for a coloured stone (ruby, sapphire or emerald) they have created options which have all the same minerals as the real ones its just that they're harder wearing and they can be perfect stones for much cheaper!

Just make sure its everything you want and you're 100% happy otherwise whats the point!

Congrats and Good Luck

******Also ask about an interest free option where you can take the ring home now and just pay for it in installments!******

Answer 5

The old saying was a months wages. Oh heck who cares you are going to get married!!! and it wont matter the size/cut/stone. YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! So excited for you!

Answer 6

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be happy with any ring he decides to get you. :)

Give him subtle hints on which ring you would like, or be blunt and tell him to bring you along when you choose the ring. Its still pretty romantic when the two of you choose, and it has more meaning to it.

The cost should really depend on how much you can afford, but do take in mind that you only buy the engagement ring once, so it should be nice! Try going to alternative jewelers instead of the brand names, as jewelers usually rack up the price in malls.

Also, try charging your ring to a credit card with zero interest, so you can buy what you want without shelling too much cash.

As for stone type, is pretty difficult to deviate from the standard diamond, but if you do, try choosing a Stone you really like, probably like an emerald or a Ruby.

As for cut, try sticking with a Princess or Round cut, and the setting preferably in platinum or White gold.

Congrats! Good luck!

Answer 7

I am no expert but if you guys dont have a lot of money you dont want to go into debt over a ring. A good alternative to a diamond are synthetic diamonds ir a pearl ( I think they look pretty) You can also just get a band but make it special by getting it engraved.

Answer 8

Congrats

Don't know where you live, but go to mall jewellers first, then start checking out some that are independent.

Bidz.com is probably the best bargain, but you have to be diligent and check often.  

I've heard bluenile is good.

If your budget is $1000, maybe don't look at things like Tiffany or Tacori...

And start looking at different gemstones, in any ring or setting and find out what you like.  A ring doesn't need to be labelled as an 'engagement ring' for it to symbolize your engagement.  (Mine is technically an 'anniversary ring'.   I would suggest looking into coloured diamonds.  My favourites are the cognac,  but pink are nice as well.

Happy hunting!

Answer 9

hi!  i think first of all congratulations are in order!  as far as price, please do not listen to the jewellers and those who say the price of the ring is supposed to be equivalent to x many paycheques! thats nonsense made up by the industry in an effort to get even more of your man's money - plain and simple.  there is no hard and fast rule of any kind, anywhere!

your ring should cost what he is comfortable spending and you can find some gorgeous rings out there for under a thousand dollars.

stones?  what do you like?  i love sapphires, my sister loves emeralds, my other sister loves rubies while our brother's wife is a diamond gal!   my engagement ring has a pair of small sapphires in it.  my sister has a ruby, [her birthstone], and a sapphire [his birthstone], and the other sister has an emerald with small diamonds surrounding it. our mum's ring was a wide band with her and dad's birthstones set into it - it was beautiful and unique!   they are all beautiful rings and reflect their and their husband's taste, just as your ring should do for you!

whatever you choose, have fun shopping for it, and have a really happy life!

Answer 10

CONGRATULATIONS!

Try wandering with him through some antique stores or consignment shops that sell nice jewelry(check them out ahead of time by yourself). Go there with him to look at art, a present for a relative, whatever excuse you can come up with. When you "happen" to see the one that you like, gasp, drool, faint, something. He'll get the hint...

Answer 11

There are nice sets which you can get - including both the engagement and wedding band - for about 300 and up. There are also trio sets, which include the man's wedding band.

You two aren't great in the finances dept., so don't go into debt over rings - how are you going to swing paying for the wedding?

So keep it simple, there are lovely rings out there - Any gemstones look nice as an engagement ring, too - some are less than a diamond, some are more.

http://www.blair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...

http://www.blair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

I love this ring -

http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Gold-0-01-D...

http://www.jewelsforme.com/item-main.asp...

http://www.ice.com/AST/Ice/Ice_Primary/P...

http://www.ice.com/AST/Ice/Ice_Primary/P...

Answer 12

Ignore what anyone says about how much you "should" spend.  The amount you should spend is the amount you can afford comfortably.  You can get a very nice ring for $1000.  Go to several jewelers and tell them your maximum price and have them show you what they have for that amount.  Also look at http://www.bluenile.com and see what they have that you like.  I tend to prefer local jewelers (not the mall chains) because they are more dedicated to getting and retaining long-term customers, but your mileage may vary.

Good luck and congratulations!