What is the average cost of an engagement ring?

Question

Just out of curiosity, do you have any websites that site a national average?

How much was your engagement ring? Ballpark answer of course

Lastly, I know this is a relatively personal question, and I appreciate all of your answers, I'm searching for an engagement ring with my finance and I'm interested to know the average cost, as I don't want to be too outlandish with my selection.

Obviously I understand we all come from various economical backgrounds, which is why I wanted a 'general average' for a middle-class American.

Thanks again.

Answer 1

It should be a ring. Type of metal does not matter

Answer 2

Engagement rings-Here is an early Congratulations

The cost-

First don't go into debt. Buy what is affordable now.  In 5 years from now, up-grade

Second, what do you want? diamond? Round Cut, Marque, Traditonal Square?

What about the band? Gold? White Gold? Uranium?

And the setting?

I'd suggest looking at diamonds, and the diamonds clarity first.

Because you'll receive a certificate, that states the size, and the clarity

important because it is a certificate of value

Check out Walmart, they have inexpensive rings,

Then go check out the diamond store at the local mall

Then take a ride up to the nice expensive diamond store,

Research designs, and prices,

Even go to Pawn Shops, (there there are good deals) sometimes

Then go online and look for a diamond, and maybe design your own setting for it  

Answer 3

My friend's ring was $3500 and her husband makes$40,000 a year.  I know my boyfriend makes 7 times more than this and I'm expecting mine to be a lot more than $3500.

Answer 4

it all depends on the setting size and carat of gold. whether its white yellow silver or platinum. it also depends on if its is a set of a sole engagement ring. if you buy it in a store or from someone like via ebay, or craigslist. i know i am selling a full set engagement ring woman's interlocking wedding band with a mans band for 900 its worth much more in a store when purchased he payed 1498.00 so you see it all depends on what you are looking for.

Answer 5

I heard the average appropriate mount to spend was approximately 2-3 month's worth of a salary. I think that is absolutely ridiculous myself and wouldn't want anyone to spend that much on one! I can't imagine wasting $6,000 on a rock and some metal!

We are looking at ones costing only a couple hundred dollars since our bands are going to be on the pricier side (about 1,700 for both of ours.) We don't want to spend more than $2,000 total on all three rings.

We are also paying for everything ourselves and planning on keeping the entire wedding under $3,000. No sense in breaking the bank and paying for one day for the rest of your lives!  

Answer 6

You know mine was only $150 and I love it. Of course I am a simple type of gal. We have 2 kids together and still havent got married legally but I wouldve been "like are you crazy" if he had spent over $500 on a ring. I wanted him to budget on the ring so we could get the kids something and maybe a weeks worh of grocerys and gas money. I don't speak for everyone though, its more on the type of upbringing and finances that you have.

Answer 7

almost 3 carats $20,000, absolutely beautiful, band of diamonds, he did very well.

Answer 8

i spent $8000.00

Answer 9

I don't think there is such information available. the people holding on to such information are the jewellery sellers and obviously they will want to sell you as big diamond ring as possible.

choose something your fiance can afford. you should know whether he is financally stable and usually a ring that is 1/2 times to 1.5 times his monthly salary is possible.

you should know what kind of a spender he is.

I know this like "once in a lifetime thing" and most girls will love to show off their engagement rings but think about this, what else can be more important than having someone who love you propose to you???

does how other people think about the type or size of the engagement ring really matter that much? seriously, after a month or so all the friends won't care that much about what ring you have.

anyway, you can always choose a BIG diamond ring with good color like a D or E or F (this can be visible under bright lights, especally when put side by side with another ring)but not so high clarity (which is the amount of speckles the diamond has - this is only visible under microscope) this will make the diamond ring much more affordable than choosing one that is BIG of good color and high clarity (you can always ask for that when your fiance maks it big).

buy what you can afford and there is nothing more exciting than getting married, the ring is just special because of the love behind it.

Happy shopping!

Answer 10

I think with today's economy, the average ring should cost between $500 to $1000. BUT it doesn't matter how much it costs......that is a material item.

Answer 11

my ring was 1100.00 for 1/2 carat 24 gold ring. it' looks nice. but

i would of like white gold and at least 1 carat. but theirs always an

upgrade in the near future

Answer 12

I dont' believe that someone should spend 3 month's salary on a ring. That is ridiculous.

If you want something nice and don't want to worry about blood or conflict diamonds I have a great suggestion. Get a lab made diamond. They are the same as mined diamonds only the process is sped up. I have one and my jeweler had no idea it was fake! People are always going crazy over my ring! You should consider it!

This place has great stuff:

http://diamondnexuslabs.com/

Their customer service is out of this world and it has a lifetime guarantee!!

I can email you pics of mine if you would like.

1 carat engagement ring: 450

2 carat eternity wedding band: 450

They are flawless diamonds!

Answer 13

I was going to make a personal comment, but the website below both answers your question and expresses my sentiment better than I probably would have.

Average Engagement Ring Prices

Today’s average engagement ring cost ranges from $3,500 to $4,000. But what does this mean to a soon-to-be-engaged couple? In truth, average numbers shouldn’t mean much at all. For every ring that costs thousands of dollars, another happy couple chooses a ring that costs only a few hundred. The price should be a reflection of what the couple can afford and how much they are comfortable investing in this symbol of their relationship, keeping in mind that such sentimental objects are rarely resold with the intention of making a profit. To choose a ring based solely on a price tag could indicate a lack of depth in the relationship, and the couple may want to reconsider their commitment to marry if the glitz and glamour of the impending event is more valuable than the vows to be exchanged.

Answer 14

The rule is 3 months salary. That said, my BF makes about $3000/ month and I would be very SHOCKED if he spent $9000 on a ring. I would never expect him to pay that much, ever. We actually just looked together last week and I saw quite a few that I would honestly be happy and feel "special" about...they were all under $4000. I know that he would also never finance a ring, he'd pay cash, which makes a big difference as well. Most of his friends and his brother spent between $2500-$3500.

Answer 15

like said, 2 and 1/2 to 3 months pay. but i think that is a little much. most people spend 1 - 2k.  

Answer 16

Mine was about $4,500.

It is a 1.5 ct. modified brilliant, in a platinum setting.



We didn't do the whole 3 months salary thing.

He makes around 60K so he spent right at a month's.

EDIT: Do not believe the poster saying he has "flawless diamonds" they are very very rare and very very expensive.. those are probably I or SI diamonds for that price.

Answer 17

the general rule of thumb is that the guy spend 3 months pay on the ring

Answer 18

it is typically said that an engagement ring is about 3 months salary of a guy.  that said, not everyone follows that rule.  some spend more and some spend less than that 3 month salary range.

Answer 19

I guess I've always heard the engagement ring & wedding band should be a man's salary for 3 months.  Hopefully you marry a rich dude!  That's a good diamond I would say, I mean my boyfriend makes $2500 a month, so 2500x3=$7500 for the whole thing.  Sounds good to me!!

Answer 20

The average mall jeweler engagement ring is about $2,500. The average online engagement ring is about $5,500. Relatively speaking, the online is much cheaper and the quality is higher. Most people buy their engagement ring in the mall. You should try one of the good online engagement ring retailers like http://www.jamesallen.com or http://www.bluenile.com/ first.

Answer 21

Completely depends on the couple's financial state, if they want to go into debt over it, etc. My sister and her husband (both students) spent like $20 on a cubic and replaced it with a real one when they had a little more money to throw around. My husband spent over $9,000 on mine. Most of my friends got married when they were in college, and theirs were between 3 and 5 thousand.  

Answer 22

mine was $500 for a 1/4ct diamond set on 24kt White gold. I love it its beautiful, and if my fiance had spent more than that i would be mad..lol

Answer 23

I must be old fashioned- or my ex husband was really cheap!!

Three months salary!???!! Holy mother of Pearl! my advice is  simple, but kinda boring: know your limit financially.

Don't shop with her and just get ideas from her family and friends and her about what she likes then go shopping for it yourself. You are smart to shop around and ask questions, though so you won't get screwed over. If you love her so much you want to marry her, you most likely already know what she will be happy with. It all depends on the girl, but not all women prefer big huge diamonds. For one, they snag really easily on sweaters... and that is really annoying...but then again, so is finding out that my ex was a really cheap b*****d about my wedding ring.

Answer 24

I have a Sapphire ring with diamond baguettes and it was $2,000.  

Answer 25

who cares what the average cost is if you find a ring that is within  your budget than get it :) mine was not in our budget and my hubby paid 2500 for it! i would have setteled for a silver ring cus that money could have gone towards a house!