2006-07-13 07:17:48 · 24 answers · asked by TooSquinty 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Forget the 3 month rule. You know who made that rule up? The diamond industry (DeBeers). First things first, what does your girlfriend want? What size? What shape? What metal/color? Say she wants a 1 carat solitaire with a gold band. Find out what the 4 Cs are to determine quality. Go to www.bluenile.com and get a rough price for diamonds that fit your desires. Blue Nile will be much cheaper than a jewelry store (30-50% less). So, if you go to a store expect to pay more. Okay, can you afford what you want? Don't go into massive debt. Try and either save up and pay cash or pay it off in a few months. You don't want a ring payment for the next 5 years. That's insane. And remember, always get it on sale or haggle a bit. Never pay list price. The ring is never worth list price. Always get it for at least 25% less if not 50%.
Also, make sure the diamond is certified and a serial number engraved in it. Before buying the diamond, look at the serial number on the certification and then ask the jeweler to let you see it on the diamond using their microscope. Make sure they match. You don't want to get ripped off!
2006-07-13 07:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by skinny0ne 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spend as little as possible for the best quality ring you can afford. My hubby makes a little more than you and I could have anything I wanted so I bought the diamond seperately (I cheated and got it from a lady who wanted a fair price) and he put it in an awesome setting so now I have a $10,000 ring and we only paid about $2000. We had Jarrod's Gallery of Jewlery set it for us. They have a guarantee on their work so it's safe and I got a pretty leather box to keep it in. Either that or go for Tiffany's. They put it in a neat box. There is life after the wedding so you'll need to not owe an arm and a leg for a ring.
2006-07-13 14:22:34 · answer #2 · answered by Mama R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three months is BS. Get her something she likes. Talk to her about it. If she doesn't know that it's coming eventually, you probably shouldn't be buying her one.
Check out www.bluenile.com- they've got a good selection and let you really customize what you're getting. Get something that she likes, goes with her other jewlrey, and looks good on her. If she wears understated or no other jewlrey, a 3 karat ring is probably going to look out of place. If she's petite the same applies. If she doesn't wear gold, look into white gold, silver, or platinum.
Most importantly, dont worry about putting yourself in debt to overreach. Her saying yes *shouldn't* depend on the ring that you buy her. If you can spend $1,000, spend that, it'll be a nice ring. If you can spend $10,000, spend up to that. But don't go bigger just because you can, or just because you thing you have to.
2006-07-13 14:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by brodyburks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would depend on the style of the ring and whatever you are comfortable spending.money on. An engagement ring does not have to be expensive. My husband got me this tanzanize engagement ring that I just love. It costed almost 600 dollars. I would not trade it for anything. Take in consideration of your girlfriend's taste in jewelry and go from there.
2006-07-15 01:52:18 · answer #4 · answered by bookworm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not spend what you can not afford, It is only a ring, what lies true is your love. Start small 2 or 3 Thousand and work your way up every 5 or 10 years.
2006-07-13 14:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by lissa7903 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know, i am a woman, and i just have to say...someone who really loves you is not going to care what you spent. if you are going by some ridiculous social status number like '3 months pay' or something, which jewelers made up anyway, you may need to take a step back. is this woman going to go check the price tag? if you told her what you spent would she make a face or pitch a fit and demand a bigger rock? if she would, RUN!!!!!!! you are starting a trend in your relationship that will never end, because you will be thinking..and she may be expecting..that the next present always has to be bigger than the last, and always has to meet social acceptance. what a way to get ulcers. good luck!
2006-07-13 14:52:46 · answer #6 · answered by rainydaydreamr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
However much the ring that your fiancee likes costs, and that you feel you can afford after discussions together. Don't go by any "three months" rules or old junk like that - don't spend that much unless absolutely necessary to make you both happy.
2006-07-13 14:20:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter how much you make. Just get a nice, 1 carat ring. Don't go over-board, don't be cheap and get something smaller. Doesn't have to be flawlees, either. As long as you can't see the flaws with the naked eye, you're fine. She'll like it, trust me.
2006-07-13 14:22:01 · answer #8 · answered by raci_tracey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no more than $9,000
go to mondera.com - after looking in real stores, I went to mondera and got the same ring for thousands less. I know it's weird ordering that on the web, but they are really great and totally legit
2006-07-13 14:22:13 · answer #9 · answered by Matt_NYC72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whatever you can afford right now, if you are in debt, you shouldn't spend a lot and your gf should understand. just tell her you will get her something better in the future when you have more money. she's marrying you, not the ring. if she cares too much on how much you spend, you should reconsider about getting marry
2006-07-13 16:19:34 · answer #10 · answered by jean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋