How much to spend on engagement ring?

[squeeks]

I value all ya'lls opinion, so what do you think?

General rule of thumb ive been told is 3 months pay, but holy crap thats a lot of money (~ $6000 for me)

I was more looking in the 3k to 4k range...is this too much? Dose a ring really need to cost several thousand, or is something more along the lines of $800-$1200 suficient?

I dont want to be cheap, but at the same time im trying to save for our house which we will be building in about 2 years, im looking to buy the ring in about 4-5 months.

Thoughts and opinions anyone?

[Stampyhead]

There are so many different variations of diamonds out there, a good and knowledgeable diamond dealer will be able to find you something in your price range. And I'm not talking about the guys at the mall...

[gavd]

I spent an amount that I was comfortable with for my circumstances. I'd advise you to do the same (especially if you're saving for a house) and not worry too much about any supposed rules around it.

I'm sure if you choose a nice ring then your partner will be delighted and won't even think about how much it cost. My fiancee doesn't have a clue how much her ring was and she doesn't care.

[wwooden]

Originally Posted by squeeks

General rule of thumb ive been told is 3 months pay, but holy crap thats a lot of money (~ $6000 for me)

Who ever said that was probably told that by a jewelry dealer.....more money for them!!

[iBlue]

There's a thread on this here. Although I know it wouldn't be easily found in search because the title isn't very clear.



to answer the question:

enough, to get exactly what we wanted.

[Abstract]

Originally Posted by wwooden

Who ever said that was probably told that by a jewelry dealer.....more money for them!!

Well I have heard that it was 10 weeks of salary.

A car is 40 weeks, and a ring is 10 weeks. I don't know how you feel about that.......just ignore it.

[adrianblaine]

Originally Posted by wwooden

Who ever said that was probably told that by a jewelry dealer.....more money for them!!

It's actually true

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The price for an engagement ring can vary considerably. Usually, they can be found within the range of a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. Price varies by the material used, the value of the diamond, and retailer. A "two months salary" conventional buying price for a ring guideline originated from DeBeers marketing materials in the early 20th century, in an effort to increase the sale of diamonds. While some couples follow this guideline, many others spend less than two months salary, preferring to save for a house or less sentimental purchase.

Well, it doesn't have a verified source though, so who knows...

[edesignuk]

The whole spending an amount by a rule is ridiculous.

Spend what you can afford to spend. I will never understand people who can't really afford it spending thousands on rings and countless thousands on weddings when there are so many other more lasting and more important things that will impact you as a couple. As you say, you're saving for a house, money spent there is much better.

Not to say you shouldn't get something nice, just don't go crazy because you think it's what you're supposed to do.

[skunk]

Originally Posted by edesignuk

The whole spending an amount by a rule is ridiculous.

Agreed. Mind you, being married to a silversmith has its advantages...

[squeeks]

ok, well, that pretty much answers my question, so, any particular chain stores here in the states you would recommend?

[sushi]

Many years ago I was apprenticing to be a jeweler. So I got an inside look at the business. If you knew the real deal, you might no even get an engagement ring.

Having said that, the recommendation is 3 months salary. So if you make 24 grand per year, that's a 6 thousand dollar ring!

If you think that makes sense, then I have some lake front land in Florida to sell you at a great price!

As some have already said in this thread, get what you think is good and that you can afford. And remember, that there are many things more important that the value of an engagement ring.

[Sdashiki]

A woman worth marrying is a woman who wouldnt need an engagement ring.

[Abstract]

Originally Posted by sushi

Many years ago I was apprenticing to be a jeweler. So I got an inside look at the business. If you knew the real deal, you might no even get an engagement ring.

What's wrong with the business?

[iBlue]

Originally Posted by Sdashiki

A woman worth marrying is a woman who wouldnt need an engagement ring.

that's a bit much.

I wouldn't say I NEEDED an engagement ring but to say a woman is unworthy for wanting one is really out of order. I hope you're kidding.

BTW, my engagement and wedding ring is one and the same. I only wanted one. (platinum band with channel set diamonds. exactly what I wanted. )

[Jschultz]

I only spent $1500 on hers, and she couldn't be happier. It was exactly what she wanted; nothing more, nothing less.

[wPod]

Originally Posted by squeeks

I was more looking in the 3k to 4k range...is this too much? Dose a ring really need to cost several thousand, or is something more along the lines of $800-$1200 suficient?

just imagine this being said by your future wife "you spent how much on a compouter???" <looks down at ring> "you didnt spent that much on this ring" <storms off> . . . then every time you look at the computer she glares at you. i think its fair to spend more than an expensive hobby of yours. (im using computers as an example since we are in a mac forum!)

Originally Posted by Sdashiki

A woman worth marrying is a woman who wouldnt need an engagement ring.

I'm sure that one woman is already taken!

[iBlue]

Why not propose and be honest and open about it? Say how much you can afford and go ring shopping with her. That way she gets what she wants. Believe it or not, women have different tastes. I'd hate a solitaire, for instance, and many men go for this as the engagement ring. You can't really say "I don't like this", know what I mean?

If you're wanting to get married, honesty about finances and asking what she wants are usually good policies.

[squeeks]

i still havent gotten any recommendations on where to shop


but yeah, shes one of those people who dosent want to see the ring before she gets it...she wants to be suprised, and she knows that i have good taste in jewerly and will pick out one she likes...plus i have my do and do not get list

like

No:
Princess Cut
Square Cut
blah blah blah

Yes:
Either multi or solitare (Shes' getting three stone)
Yellow gold
sparkly

[Hopstretch]

No opinion on what you should spend, but do your future wife a favor and educate yourself on the diamond game before you jump in and get fleeced by a chain jeweler. There is an excellent open forum on an industry specialist site called Pricescope, where you can find answers to just about any question you might have.

PS: Don't think it's over once you've tied the knot, either. I only know about the above-mentioned site because my wife is on there all day scoping out her upcoming 10th-anniversary bauble.

[edesignuk]

Originally Posted by Hopstretch

PS: Don't think it's over once you've tied the knot, either. I only know about the above-mentioned site because my wife is on there all day scoping out her upcoming 10th-anniversary bauble.

Divorce might work out cheaper?

[OscarTheGrouch]

I bought my now wife an absolutely exquisite platinum band with a 1/3 carat diamond on top, and some small ones on the side for about 2k. I don't see the need to spend anything more than that on a ring. More than that you could buy a damn nice car.

Be reasonable, and honestly if its really love it shouldnt matter- do what you can afford, its just a "thing"

[Sdashiki]

Id never marry a woman who "expected", "wanted", "needed" a ring.

Thats just me, and there are plenty of folks out there who feel "more is better" when it comes to showing off...


Along the same lines, id never buy my wife a diamond anyway. I never liked diamonds, ever. When i was into rocks as a kid, I learned of tons of stones/crystals that could look just like a diamond, but obviously werent as hard. And questioned why they were so expensive when for nothing you could have the same look.

Why buy a piece of clear rock, which could be glass and you wouldnt know the visual difference, when there are hundreds of hues of precious and semi-precious stones out there.

Just my opinion as always, but diamonds are freakin ugleee. All they say to me when i see them is "LOOK AT ME IM LOADED!!!"

Not "I love my wife."

[squeeks]

Originally Posted by Hopstretch

No opinion on what you should spend, but do your future wife a favor and educate yourself on the diamond game before you jump in and get fleeced by a chain jeweler.

thats for sure, my dad just bought my mother a new wedding ring for their 25th aniversery and (i say just it was about 2 years ago) and they eventually got it from Bjs i think becuase of how knowlageable the staff was,

but they went though all of the what makes a good diamond a good diamond stuff, so ill definatly read up on it,

we're going size shopping sometime around christmas, which will be about 4 months before i want to buy, so ill get a good idea of what people are telliing me, and ill be able to go back to the forums and see how it matches up

[iBlue]

Originally Posted by squeeks

...


but yeah, shes one of those people who dosent want to see the ring before she gets it...she wants to be suprised, and she knows that i have good taste in jewerly and will pick out one she likes...plus i have my do and do not get list

like

No:
Princess Cut
Square Cut
blah blah blah

Yes:
Either multi or solitare (Shes' getting three stone)
Yellow gold
sparkly

wow how every woman's taste is different. very different.

anyway if she's into the whole surprise thing then cool, just a suggestion.

Yes, DO read up on the "three c's" (cut, colour, clarity) these are must knows when shopping for diamonds.

[Sdashiki]

Originally Posted by iBlue

Yes, DO read up on the "three c's" (cut, colour, clarity) these are must knows when shopping for diamonds.

because DeBeers tells you to.

if you aint a jeweler or a gemologist, how can you trust anyone's opinion on something as technical as the thousands of categories given to diamonds on retail.