How much do I spend on an engagement ring?

Question

What should be spent on an engagement ring? Any ideas?

Answer 1

There used to be a theory that a man should spend one months salary on an engagement ring for his fiance. So if you were to make $2,000 each month, that is what you should spend on an engagement ring. Nowadays, that theory is not necessarily adhered to any longer.

When looking at how much to spend on an engagement ring you need to look at how much you can really afford. Are you able to finance the ring? Do you want to make monthly payments are do you want to pay the ring off all at once? These things will all factor into how much you should spend on your engagement ring.

My advice is to first go window shopping for engagement rings. Take a look at what you would like to buy for your fiance-to-be and then start saving for that ring or you can decide to finance the ring if you can afford it.

    

  

Answer 2

Rings similar to the one I have are $400-$600, but I have yet to see one that's exactly like mine and he won't tell me how much it really was...  But I love it.  It's not a rock on a ring, which is exactly what I didn't want.  It's got a total of 7 diamonds in it that add up to 1/2kt.  It's perfect for me, and that's what he was looking for.  If the perfect ring for me cost $2000.00 that's what he would have spent, whether he could afford it or not.  lol.  

The engagement ring is to prove the severity of your intentions and your love to your girl - not how much money you're willing to spend on a sparkly rock for her, like most girls think.  Just the fact that you're buying it for her and not letting your future fiance plan her own engagement is romantic enough these days...

Be sure it's something that she'll love and matches her personality.  Don't worry about how much it costs (unless it puts you in debt - don't already be in debt before your wedding)

Answer 3

Its got something to do with a certain percentage of your annual income ...I think.... IDK I'm not married and never will. But hey, Good luck!

Answer 4

Don't break the bank... it should be affordable, but still nice.  You shouldn't go into debt over it.  Does she have any sisters/mother/family that you could get some ideas on for what she likes?  Then it could still be a surprise.  Otherwise, if you don't mind if it's not a surprise, you could always go window shopping for rings with her to get an idea on what she likes.

Answer 5

well the old rule is 2 or 3 months salary.  But I think that is insanely over the top.  mine was $300.  I actually told my fiance if he spent more than $500 I would take it back because it would be wasting his money.  He got me a lovely one and I never take it off, never want to.  It really depends on what you want.  You can always look around pawn shops and clearance/sales at jewelry stores.  You could find something for $200 that's really worth $1000(that would be more at a pawn shop than anything).

Good luck!

EDIT: it doesn't have to be a diamond either.  Is there a particular stone she loves?  Me, I LOVE tanzanite, can't get enough of it so that's what my engagement ring is. Tanzanite with diamonds around it.  You don't always have to go with a big diamond.

Answer 6

you obviously want a real diamond. so 100-300$ is kind of out of the question. my husband got me a 3 stone diamond engagement ring (1 1/2 karets total) for about $600 i believe. it was amazing.

but if you want to go cheaper which i dont understand why you would because you love this girl and you want her ring to stand out haha sorry im a girl you can get a one stone diamond ring from $300-$400.

good luck and congrats =]

Answer 7

Under $1000, less if at all possible. She is going to feel obligated to wear this, so make sure it's something she is comfortable with, but also make sure you get something she'll like. If she likes elegant and flashy stuff, spend more. If she would prefer something small and plain then you can spend less.  

Answer 8

It is actually 3 mo of you yearly salary.  But it is all up to you and what you can afford. shop around.

My hubby got a Leo diamond from Kay princess cut and payed 4500.00 it is 1 ct and perfect in the 3 c's.

Answer 9

You should spend what you can afford. But keep in mind that it is an investment and also keep in mind your future fiance's taste. Not all engagement rings should be diamonds! Some girls love colored gemstones. Also keep in mind that marriage is a serious proposition and you want to show your girl how serious your are. But remember the engagement ring is just the start of something that can get pretty expensive. Weddings aren't cheap!!! :-)

Answer 10

It is customary to spend 2-3 times of your monthly pay checks, but I would spend as much as I feel comfortable with. Try researching online, You can probably save 30%. Try http://www.jamesallen.com/ or http://www.bluenile.com they both have well priced diamonds and rings with a 30 day return policy.

Answer 11

I got engaged in January on a cruise and got a beautiful ring of which i can provide pictures of if need be. It was custom designed by him since im a size five and a quarter. it has diamonds all around the whole band 3 rows plus diamonds even on the setting of the largest diamond etc..it was purchased for over 13,000. it was appraised for 36,000.  My fiance is not wealthy but went on a payment plan apparently. Every month he pays a certain amount. THe ring is absolutely gougeous but i think its too big and the reason why its so expensive is because of its quality. the ring could be the worse quality and huge but its worth nothing.

i thought it was too big and i was in shock when i saw it. I dont think that it should matter how a ring looks. if she wants to be with you she will be no matter what. remember it is an engagement ring and on average i would say about 6,000 to 7,000 for a ring is just fine. then it will be decent and it will last. yet you can have another option. You can get a cute ring with ok quality and decent size and pay only about 1500-2200. and later when you get on your feet you can keep this one or change it and add another 5,000 or more and get her a more beautiful or larger ring.  it all depends on you. On my end i just got lucky with great taste and a crazy future mother in law! by the way my main diamond is about 2.5 carats E color and then there is another 1.5 all around

Answer 12

There is no old tradition or rule that you should spend 2-3 months salary on an engagement ring. That is just a marketing campaign by DeBeers and I guess it worked really, really well.

Spend what you can afford and are comfortable with.

Answer 13

whatever you can afford w/out breaking the bank.....they say 3months pay for a ring.  

Answer 14

Seriously only what you can comfortably afford, and not buy on credit. Realize you will need to buy a wedding band too (you can buy a set which includes both rings), and the two of you  need money to pay for the wedding, and some to start your marriage together!

So it all depends upon your circumstances. Just from looking around on sites a lot, I can tell you that there are lovely e-rings and sets starting about 400 and up. Closer to 1k gets you a dazzling set.

http://www.kay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ser...

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

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

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

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?p...

This one is a heck of a lot of ring at a great price, and 20 per cent off the clearance price, too

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?p...

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches...

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches...

Answer 15

The diamond industry will tell you "2-3 months' salary." For most people, this is unreasonable. The best answer is "whatever you can comfortably afford." There are beautiful rings at all price ranges.

Answer 16

Whatever you can afford, don't go beyond your means!  

Answer 17

i heard it was 3 months pay...remember she'll have it 4ever :]

Answer 18

They always say two-three months' salary, but that is just ridiculous, especially in this economy!  (Besides, who came up with that "rule?"  None other than the De Beers diamond company, of course!)  You can find some beautiful engagement rings from about $700.  My engagement ring was about $750, which is considered pretty inexpensive for an engagement ring, but I picked it out myself and I think it's absolutely gorgeous.  Also, you can go to a diamond wholesaler, where they directly import the diamonds themselves and sell them at cost so there's no middle-man markup.  My friend went there and got his fiance a ring which appraised at $5000 for $2500 (still a bit much, to my mind, but it's a relatively normal price for a ring.)

Answer 19

100 -300

Answer 20

it really depends on how much you can afford. the important is you love the person very much.