How much should you ideally spend on an engagement ring?

Question

Let's say you make $40,000/year - and the person you are going to propose to doesn't want something super fancy, but more on the simple side as far as diamonds are concerned. How much should you spend minimum on a ring - assuming it's good quality?

Answer 1

It is more about meaning than the acutal object. You should def stay within your means. No sense in getting yourself into debt as you will need money for a wedding etc... My boyfriend and I decided to use a diamond I got from my Grandma when she passed and just get it reset, its more sentimental and costs less. :0)

Answer 2

I LOVE that you asked this question.  When I was younger, in my early twenties or so (I'm 32 now) I remember seeing commercials from DeBiers (or however the heck you spell it) saying something like 'Is two months' salary too much to ask?'  Just recently, however, within the last year or so, I've been hearing commercials from the same company asking the newly formed question, '...is THREE months' salary too much to ask?'

From a societal standpoint I think there SHOULD be some sort of symbol of your love that a coupling intending on getting married should share and be able to proudly display.  If you choose to make that symbol a shiny diamond ring that your intended can wear and show off to her friends who will also likely have the very same 'symbol' you may as well make it something she won't have to hide in her pocket for shame of being laughed at.

Do NOT by any means go and drop a fourth of your pre-tax income on some stupid rock that only has value because some rich entrepreneurial a$$hole back in the 20's wanted to avoid losing the shirt off his back because of a bad investment in African real estate that he thought was going to yield gold (seriously...take a look at a more candid history behind the DeBeers Jewelry company and THEN watch 'Blood Diamond' to see why Diamonds carry such a high value).  But I've digressed WAY off the map.

The answer to your question is to spend whatever you feel comfortable spending.  Personally, I've never been one to abide by societal rules (unless it has to do with morality, of course...the other etiquette c**p is for seriously rich effers!) so I do not feel bad in the least for not lining the pockets of some faceless business man somewhere in New York or LA or whatever.  The engagement ring I bought for my fiance is simple and elegant and didn't cost a penny over 4 Grand.  I would love to say that I was able to circumvent the whole ring thing but I think more intrepid men have tried and failed.  

One tip I can give you about purchasing a diamond, though is that if you want to go for a smaller rock be prepared to up the quality of it.  A smaller diamond of greater quality will reflect light much better than a huge chunk with loads of inclusions or bad coloring.  There's loads of educational material peppered throughout the web that will help you in selecting the right ring for you.  But it'd be great if you can get your sweetheart to marry you WITHOUT having to buy a ring.  Some people think you're not being serious if you ask without that investment first.  Good luck!

Answer 3

I think about $2,000 or so. My husband spent around $2,200 when he made about that much money and I got a very simple but classic solitaire.

Answer 4

i think 1000 dollars if fine to spend on a ring, expecially if it's the one you want. There is no minimum amount to spend on a ring.  There is no rule saying that you HAVE to spend a certain amount. Usually, It is what ever you are comfortable spending.

Answer 5

There is no rule. You should buy something that meets the following parameters:

- your budget (what you can afford to pay!)

- her taste

- IGA certification (if you get a diamond)

Try a private jeweler, not a chain store. Go with ideas about what she likes and what you want to spend. A private importer will get you the best deal on stones and settings and will work directly with you one-on-one to create the ring you want within your budget. If you establish a relationship with a private jeweler now, you will have it for the rest of your lives together.

Don't focus on the price of the ring, focus on what you can afford to spend and what she likes. You can find a ring she will love that fits your budget. Ask your family and friends if they can recommend a private jeweler, sometimes they have thing sin their back pocket you don't even know about!

Good luck ( =

Answer 6

Why does the price matter?

My husband bought my "engagement ring" from Toys R Us.  It is giant and plastic and cost two dollars and it was totally hilarious.  

It seems ridiculous to me to have to finance a ring.  A couple should go into a new marriage with as little debt as possible.  It is a piece of jewelry, you should be able to pay for it outright immediately.

Answer 7

Whatever the man chooses, and suits his budget and circumstances.

This is a nice set - oh, it's so stupid that ben moss won't let you leave links!

Put this in their keyword search box,

0.29 Carat TW, 10k Two-Tone Gold Set  

0.25 Carat Canadian Diamond, 14k White Gold  

0.20 Carat Canadian Diamond, 14k Gold

Answer 8

It shouldn't be the price of the engagement ring that's important. All that matters is what the significance is.

Answer 9

the general rule is that you should spend a month and halfs worth of wages on a ring!

take her with you and let her pick out her own! obviously she doesnt want anything too flash so im sure she will choose within your budget!

Answer 10

I seem to see a lot of people quote 2 months of guy's salary.  My guy is getting me a ring that is less costly than that however (roughly $1,500).  This isn't even 2 weeks salary, so he's obviously getting a 'bargain.' I wanted a certain type of setting (falls under antique) and it requires a certain minimum size stone to look right.  I was happy to go with some other kind of stone, but he was hung up on the diamond, so that's what we went with.  So, a little more than he was going to spend (took it out of our wedding budget) but less than what is 'recommended.'  Up to you.  We're actually spending more on the wedding rings than anticipated (about $500 each) because he wanted something a little glitzier than a plain band.

Answer 11

what you can really afford!