how much money should I spend on an engagement ring?

Question

what size and shape?
finance ?
buy diamond seperate or get combo?

Answer 1

it's not the amount of money or the size, it's the love that goes into it. mine is small b/c that's what we could afford at the time. now we could get something bigger, but it's not important. I love the original one and wouldn't part with it for the world.

Answer 2

Unless u want it to be a surprise, take ur finance and let her have a say, after all she has to wear it....
If however, u want it to be a surprise, there is no limit on price - ur love is the thing that matters and if she feels the same way then she wont care if u give her a ring pull from a coke can!
Another good idea though, if money is an issue -look @ getting a cluster. It looks like one huge diamond from a distance and it sparkles much more than a solitaire too. Combos are better value and save the hassle of getting a wedding ring at a later date, but if ur planning a long engagement splurge on the engagement ring.
As for size and shape - this too is something u should have some idea about from ur intended and some women prefer smaller less cumbersome rings or even have a preference for other stones besides diamonds.
Good Luck :o)

Answer 3

The standard used to be that you should buy a diamond that cost the same as 2 months of your pay. I don't know if that is still true. You should get the best quality diamond, even though it will be smaller (for the price) than the lesser quality diamonds. Make sure you go to a reputable jeweler. The shape is usually round, unless the lady likes another shape better. The most expensive shape is marquis, because there is more waste in the cutting process, so you would get a smaller diamond for your money. If you see a combo that you like, you could buy it. It doesn't matter. Although, it is nice if the man's and woman's wedding ring match.

Answer 4

depends on your budget and financial situation. I do not believe that you should break the bank for this but, if you can afford to. I would buy a nice one cause its a once in a lifetime event!

I would spend as much as you can reasonably afford to.

If you have good credit many Jewlers offer a one year free financing option and that way you can make payments.

Also when it come to jewlery there is cut, clarity and color. You can by a BIG diamond that has notible imperfections and a not so nice color to it for the same price as a smaller one with little to no imperfections and a nice color. I would balance these aspects of jewlery buying. Big is not all that counts.

Personally I have one thats 1.01 carats, no imperfections and is a princess cut on a nice thicker gold band. Mines 4500. I don't know if this helps but it gives you an idea of what it all costs.

a round shape, which is the most traditional would be a bit less than whats considered the fancy shapes (oval, heart, princess,, emerald). So you can get a bit more for your money with a round.

there is also a GIA (gemelogical institure of america) or another one thats like eurpoean gemoligcal institue (don't hold me to this wording) ..the GIA certified one will cost a bit more, but either way I would get a certified diamond and GET a CERTIFICATE (they come with the diamond from the jewler)! It will show you any imperfections and a serial number to the diamond. The jewler can also either make the ring from an ordered diamond or they come premade, which are in the case and also good (and can be sized)

Some girls know exactely what they want (idid) so I would feel out her mother, sister, friends and see if anyone happens to know what she prefers. Nothing worse than paying on something shes not totally happy with!

I would also find out if she likes gold, white gold or platnium. Again platnium will run you more money than white or reg. gold.

Keep in mind that the national average is 3/4 of a carret. But I would say that most woment think that a whole carret is average hehe..we all dream big!

I would also go to an independent jelwer not a mall store, you can often get mor efor your money.

Answer 5

I was always under the impression that a man spend the equivelent of two months salary on an engagement ring. I have long fingers, so i like the Princess Cut (square) diamond. And I prefer a set, not a solitaire. So go with the combo. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

Well if you knew your chic well you shouldn't have to ask. what kind of shape she likes? take one of her rings and see what size it is? but I think most average weight women wear a size 6 or 7. But the shape is up to the liking of ya chic. I think you should buy the diamond seperate and you all pick out a wedding band that both of you would like together. But if your on a budget and it's cheaper to but both then thats what you do. Now about the price, some people do like a $2000 ring. It depends on what type of carat ya chic likes. But I've seen someone buy an engagement ring for $100 and it was a nice ring. But I think it was like 1/2 carat. Test ya chic out and see what she likes.

Answer 7

I'm in the same boat, hehe. I am going with a 1 3/4 carat pear shaped diamond in a custom platinum setting. Roughly $5000. Diamonds are tricky - go to someone who a friend or relative trusts - and has bought from. Luckily I had an old boss who was in the business. Also - while a big ring is nice - your girls hand and finger size come into play.

Answer 8

Engagement ring should remind your other whats coming for a wedding ring and at the same time your love or times that youve spent together
finance... should be kept secret for later but it seems when they find out how much you went through to get the ring helps when you have fights or troubles during marriage
engagement ring should be simple with class buy seperate

Answer 9

Oh my god, I am so glad a guy asked this.
Please hear this;
We girls have been known to say that itdoesn;t matter, but that is such a big, make you feel ok lie. Please get at least 3/4 to 1 carot, stone, and not TOTAL weight. If it is not a solitaire, then the center stone HAS to be this big. Never, ever boast or complain about how much it costs, either!! not to her, anyway.
You want her to marry you, and take care of you like a great wife should, so do not start out by showing her you wouldn't do your best for her. You won't always have to dso this, believe me, but damn! This lady is going to be asked a million times to show her ring, and don't make her be embaressed about it.
I promise you that I do not beliweve in a superficial life, but I do believe in the statement that the engagment ring makes. You asre telling the qworld that you will go uot of yuor way for your wife, and if you won't, then rethink the whole thing.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

The ad on television says it should cost equal to one months salary. Marquise is supposed to be the favorite among young brides. I prefer the round brilliant. Most jewelry stores finance or lay-away. You will probably get a better deal if you buy them all at once.

Answer 11

Heres what worked for a friend of mine. They were looking at home through Jc penney magazine. Going through pointing out on different pages what was yours and her favorite and what was the ugliest. Pick a page and say on this page this is the nicest and this is the ugliest. They started out with clothing, then went to furniture and bedding, then went to jewlery.. Then you can get the idea what style and size she likes without her ever knowing. Good luck.