how much for an engagement ring?

Question

i'm wondering how much to pay for an engagement ring. i'm entering my final year of college and plan to ask my girlfriend to marry me in the spring. i have practically no experience with jewelry, so i'm lost. the style of ring will be a round diamond set in a white gold band.

i am from southern wv, which should give you an idea of the income level/cost of living that i am dealing with.

thanks to anyone who helps me out, God bless

i've recieved many answers referring to the "2 months salary" rule. college complicates that. as a summer intern, 2 month's salary is over 3 grand. while back at school, 2 month's salary is less than $500. i do appreciate all of your help, thank you very much :D

Answer 1

Forget cost....chose something that matches her personality. If she's uptight and high maintenance, get her a 2+ carat diamond. If she down to earth, get her something that matches her taste. Example: old fashion, modern. Either way, don't put yourself into debt for the next 3 years. Buy something that you can realistically afford.

Answer 2

I think that rather than decide how much to pay, decide how much you can afford and work from there. Don't go broke trying to pay for the ring!! But at the same time get her something that she'll love. I think that the 2 months salary rule still applies to you - try it this way - add up all the money you make in a year, between your summer internships and your job. Then divide that by 6 and use that number as a starting point.

You can get diamonds of almost any shape and size for so many different prices. Since you already have the style in mind, you might try going to a bunch of different places and just seeing what is there. You can try really cheap stores, like Walmart and look at their diamond rings, go to department stores, mall stores, really put the effort in to look for this thing. Study the rings at each place, note the prices and also the quality of the diamond and how nice it looks to you. Ask the people at better jewelry stores to explain the difference between a cheap ring and a nicer one, and then weigh your options against your checkbook.

But never forget that in the end, the most important thing to your girlfriend is going to be marrying you and not the ring! Good luck!

Answer 3

well, it depends largely on your gf's taste, like if it matters that she have a full 1ct. center stone in a designer setting, then it'll run you about $10,000. But, if she's a down to earth gal, then you can find something anywhere btween 3000-6000. anyway, the website www.adiamor.com has an inter-active "build your own ring" feature that gives you the opportunity to look at a lot of styles & prices w/out standing there w/ sales pressure. I wouldn't recommend buying on-line, however bcuz you could end up w/ no warantee, and even if they offer one, who knows how long the site will stay around? when you find a style you like, just print it off & your best bet is to take the pic to a jeweler your family goes to, or one w/ a good reputation for fair prices (ask around) also, if you choose a centerstone just under 1 ct. ( .90- .99) it can take a few thousand off the price, and the difference isn't even detectable to the naked eye. anyway, good luck! and dont let the salespeople push you into anything you dont feel good about. you're the boss!!!! p.s.- platinium is not necessary, if she doesn't like yellow gold, order white gold instead, and stay w/ a colorless- (D thru F) you can read about this color from the 4C's on the site i gave you :)

Answer 4

When looking for diamonds make sure that you keep in mind the 4 C's... color, clarity, carat and cut... (the quality of each of these definetly influences the price A LOT..do a little research on each. Here is a good place to start http://www.diasource.com/fourcs.htm) Personally.. I think color, clarity and cut are more important than carat (the size)... make sure that you get one that is certified (so you don't get fooled out of your money..) There are plenty of beautiful rings for around a thousand or so. Check around different jewelers and realize that they CAN barder down the price... and often have some sort of 10-20% off that they can easily give you. If you find a place that sells just diamonds (not the rings.. just the diamonds..) they will usually make you a ring to put it in for free.. customed to what you want it to look like. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Think of it this way: spend as much as you possibly can. This is a one time thing and worth every penny. She will be showing it off to everyone...do you want some dinky little diamond there for everyone to see? And don't go for size and not quality. A huge diamond sucks if it is clouded and yellow. Get a good balance of all: color, clarity, cut. A good jeweler will help you find the one that you can afford.

The diamond my fiance got me was about $3800.00. It is almost a carat. It is not perfect, but it looks perfect because the inclusions are placed well. Make sure before you buy a diamond that you look at it under a jeweler's loop.

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 6

My husband picked out my engagement ring by himself. I had no idea that he was planning it and when he gave it to me it meant more because he picked it out for me. I have a 1.2 carat 3 stone, past present and future ring. It's absolutely gorgeous, he spent about $1000 on it and honestly it's not the size or the price that really matters, it's more the meaning behind it. I know that sounds totally lame but I'd rather have the ring he gave me instead of being all about having a huge diamond on my hand.

Good luck and as previous people have said a good jeweler will help you find something absolutely gorgeous that you can afford!

Answer 7

THe rest of these people obviously have more money than us regular folks If you are only making $1500 a month at the best of times you should in no way feel you have to go out and spend $10000 on a ring your fiance will understand if you buy her a ring that you can afford. I had to convince my fiance to buy my ring at walmart because that was all we could afford they actually have really nice rings between $150 and $2000.

Answer 8

okay listen...buy her what you can afford....if she is upset over a cheaper ring than she isn't the one...everyone everyone keeps stating it should be 2 months salary..blah blah..I think that is just insane. You know what bills you have to pay...you know what your financial posistion is. You buy her what you can and not go horribly into debt. You can't spend 2 months salary on a ring if you already have ton of other payments that need paid as well... You can find much better ways to spend the money like on a down payment for your first home. If you are going to go horribly into debt over something you better make it over a house for the two of you..not over a silly ring..!!! (actually you prolly shouldn't go horribly into debt over anything...but you get what I mean!)

Answer 9

although i don't believe it,i hear that a guy is supposed to pay at least two months salary.it should not make any difference where you live.what makes the difference is how much you get paid.obviously a guy that makes over $100,000.00 a year can afford a more expensive ring.what i did was i found a set that was regularly $5000.00 on sale for half price.complete with an apprasail for the whole $5000.00.don't worry about the price.as long as you don't get it from k-mart or walmart ,she will love it.

Answer 10

THIS IS A HARD ONE. THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH DO U CARE ABOUT HER AND IS SHE THE ONE THAT U PLAN TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH AND DOES SHE FEEL THE SAME. DOES SHE LIKE BIG RINGS OR JUST SASSY ONES. AN ENGAGEMENT RING WILL COST YOU ANYWHERE FROM $400.00 AND UP. JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP THE RING AT A PRICE THAT YOU CAN AFFORD AND SOMETHING THAT SHE IS KNOWN TO LIKE. SUCH AS SHAPE, COLOR, CARATS. MEANING DON'T GO BUY HER A $6000.00 RING IF SHE PROBABLY HAS NEVER OWNED NOR WANTED ANYTHING THAT EXPENSIVE.