How much should i spend on an engagement ring?

[ieatbees]

i am thinking about proposing to my girlfriend, and i want to buy a nice ring. how much should i consider spending?

[FSGC]

I bought a ring for mine recently and cost is of secondary importance (so long as your not spending just �20 on it!!) People say you should spend 6 months salary, i totally disagree.

You should look at the size of your girlfriends hand and not buy a rock so big that it'll weigh her hand down! There are good engagement rings out there for �400. It's about putting the legwork in and finding them. btw, it's a good idea to scope out if she like white gold or yellow gold...

Good luck.

[nemi]

 a lot of money, but thats relative to how much money you earn. Whatever you would consider terribly expensive and out of your range, thats the price you should aim for.  When it comes to the diamond, size matters.

[rumanshu]

The first thing to consider is the metal, and this will really affect the price. 

Gold is fine, but be careful with white gold.  Basically, white gold has a special coating on it that makes it appear silver.  It can fade within a year and is very noticeable when you place a genuine silver ring next to it.  Some jewellers charge for re-coating the ring, but larger jewellers offer it for free.  My friend is a jewllery designer and thinks that if you want white gold, you might as well get silver as it's less hassle and a lot cheaper!

Platinum is the daddy of them all (in my opinion) and costs a lot more but is a tougher metal and is therefore less prone to scratches.  However, if your fiance has a favourite silver/gold ring that she always wears next to her ring finger, she should watch out as platinum can wear this metal down in time.

The next thing to consider is the diamond.  Do you go for a larger diamond that has a low carat?  Or a smaller diamond with a higher carat (that is meant to sparkle a bit more)?  I picked my ring with my fiance (I'm very fussy!) and went for a better quality diamond.  I actually went for 3 small diamonds instead of a solitaire.

I've rambled - sorry.  In answer to your question, spend as much as you think is suitbale.  Just do't get yourself tied up in debt over it.  Don't forget that jewellers negotiate price, especially smaller ones.  Shop around when you find the ring you like as other shops may have similar ones for slightly less. 

My platinum ring was in the window for �1000, and we negotiated down to �800.  By choosing round-cut instead of square-cut diamonds, going for a slightly smaller carat, and paying cash upfront, we got it for �500. 

Good luck!

[kick3m0n]

well I'd heard ONE months salary...which is a big difference!  To be honest, I just couldn't spend 6mnths wages on a piece of jewellery - and I'm teh one that gets to wear it!!  We just went for one that we loved, that suited my hand, and it didn't really matter how much it cost.   I totally agree about what FSGC says...the ring should suit your fiancee. Not just her hand size (a big ring may look vulgar on slim fingers), but also her general style....does she wear a lot of jewellery, or keep it to a minimum. Does she favour white metals or yellow gold?   Is she quite glam, or does she like a more everyday look?  Think about these things and try to pick a ring that would match up, without worrying too much about the price.  Maybe asked a female friend for advice?  Good luck, I'm sure your girlfriend will be surprised and delighted - let's hope it's a yes. xx

[OBonio]

I spent just over 1 month's salary (after tax) on my wife's ring.  Took a year to pay off, but that was mainly due to paying for the wedding.  As the engagement thing was a surprise, she didn't know how much it cost and still doesn't (though I'm sure she's had a look at similar rings...).  The cost doesn't really matter, as long as you are both happy.  Also, when going to buy, if you're spending a fair bit you've got room to haggle.  I got �200 off the one I got just by sweet talking the manager a little.

[nicola_red]

My fiance spent a month's salary on mine.  We calculated the amount together - I wanted it done traditionally.  But he commissioned an individual design, so he was able to specify the amount he wanted to spend to the jewellers before they started making the ring, and they chose the metal and stones etc according to that.

[CarolG]

I think alot also, but as Nemi said taking into consideration how much you earn. If i were you i'd look at Tiffany's or Hatton Gardens (if you're in/near London) but stay clear of you're high street stores - H Samuel or Ernest Jones wound't really do it for me. Remember, this is for the rest of her life and she'll want to be proud to show it off. Hope this helps.

[Greenbhoy]

God i hope the wife doesn't read this thread!!!

She wanted a ring that was �250 and I didn't complain!

[ann_h]

Yes, you lot above, ONE month's salary is the tradition.

But it's more important that she likes the ring style etc, and that you put effort into choosing it.

And for God's sake, don't buy something you can't quite afford and put it on a monthly payment plan out of the joint account (B*****d)

[purplefish]

I think you should just spend however much you can afford, you don't have to spend thousands and despite what all these other people say the size of the diamond isn't that important, its whether your girlfriend would like the ring or not, you can get lovely rings without spending thousands of pounds. my engagement ring cost my boyfriend �300, he saved up for ages (he is a poor student) and the fact he'd spent so long without the things he wanted to get me the ring meant a hell of a lot more than how big the diamond was or how much it cost.

good luck with the proposal :o)

[ICEMANSAV]

1/4 of annual salary for engagment ring and 3/4 to full annual salary for wedding ring is specified by my Fiancee! Will show her this post!

[jjfighter1]

I do not think you should have to spend very much. I think that it is reasonable to keep it reasonable. I just searched and found a website that you might take a look at:

http://www.leftringfinger.com

Thanks

[spundit]

You will not find an accurate amount on how much you should spend on a ring, as there is not amount you SHOULD spend. 1 months 2 months salary is the norm but it is all dependent on your personal circumstances. I feel for an engagement ring 2 months salary is realistic, but if hearing that has made you jump then you have some saving to do.

[Andrew09]

You could try doing it proportionally...the heavier she is, the more you should spend...Just kidding.

Seriously, what's the point in having some big flashy thing with a rock the size of the Ritz that is supposed to be a "proof" of your love for her? It's only a conventional symbol--a small thing that is discreet means just as much as an expensive object and you'd do better to invest the money in your future life.

Me and my wife never bothered with engagement rings , we spent the money enjoying ourselves instead.
I mean if your going to get married, then your going to get married, I dont see what difference a Ring is going to do for you.

[NimrodReject]

I don't know how much this is in � but i spent $400 on a $1,750 ring. It helps if when you go to the jewler you give them a low price range and then tell them how much it would help if it could be even less than that.

[Andrew09]

added to that. if she really is the woman you love then you wont mind the price as long as your woman will be satisfied and happy.

from the [url=http://www.rokstok.com/wedding_rings.php
?catid=29]Celtic
Rings[/url] group of love

[tom_f]

@ rumanshu

Just wanted to clarify a few things.

Carat when used to refer to Gold is a measure of purity, 100% purity being 24 carats. Commonly seen as 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct and 24 ct.

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure, and platinum 95%.

Carat when refering to gem stones is a measure of weight. 1 carat is 200 miligrams or 0.2 grams.

There exists yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and even green gold. White gold is not silver plated but rhodium plated as it doesn't naturally have the same brightness as silver or platinum. And yes this does wear.

With diamonds, the 4c's are what you need to consider. Carat, clarity, colour and cut.
The carat is easy, thats the weight and therefore size of the stone.
The clarity refers to the cleanness of the stone and the presence or lack of inclusions, small black marks etc, within the stone. Graded from flawless down through internally flawless VVS 1 and 2, VS1 and 2 etc. Realistically vs1 is probaby as good as flawless to the naked eye in most other than the largest stones.
Colour is graded from D back though the alphabet, and again G or H is as good as D with out comparison.
And lastly there is the type of cut. The brilliant cut is the standard round cut, and produces the most reflection, sparkle and brilliance etc. The princess is a square shape, but there are many to choose from including emerald, pear, heart shapes etc.

Hope this helps. In my opinion platinum is the best way to go, and if you can find someone, the bespoke option will give you the best result at a good price, its a very competitive market for self employed jewellers out there!!

Professional Diamond Mounter.

[juanpablo52]

the usual advice is to spend 1 month's salary
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www.proposeinstyle.co.uk

[juanpablo52]

The usual advice is to spend 1 month's salary but this is only a guide. Before you buy it's important to learn all about the 4 C's of diamonds. Good luck.
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www.proposeinstyle.co.uk