Engagement ring cost - what do I spend for a nice ring?

Question

I want to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring that is nice and will make her friends jealous but don't have unlimited funds. I know the 2 month salary rule..blah, blah, blah. What is the approximate dollar amount for an impressive-sized ring with good clarity that wont cost me arm and leg. Is one carat a large size? Under $10K or over $10K?

Answer 1

i just asked my girlfriend (now fiancee) to marry me. i too am aware of the two month rule, but that shouldn't have any weight towards what you spend. i knew what kind she wanted (princess cut diamonds), but that was all, so i was free to pick what i thought would be nice. i was interested in getting a ring that would accumulate value rather than lose it. so i purchased a higher grade of ring. mine (hers) cost $9,500, but i got a steal. the ring was 3.43 carats (total diamond weight), high quality, and gorgeous. DO PLENTY OF RESEARCH!!!!! but any ring should make her happy, who cares about what her friends think.

Answer 2

Buy what you can afford!!!! The 2 month salary thing is a marketing tool put forth by the jewelry industry.

The ring is the not the focus here it is the commitment. My mother recieved a 1/4 carat $100 ring and they have been married over 30 years.

If making people jealous is the only intention of the ring, than you need to re-think who you are marrying. there is no reason to go into debt so early in your lives together over something so superficial.

Yes, a lot of girls want something bigger and better than what their friends have....but, I didn't. My prize is my husband, he is better than any big fancy diamond ring. Besides, save the money and put it to better use, like a down payment on a home.

My best friend and maid of honor, at my wedding said the most hurtful thing...she told all my guests "she would never have accepted such a small ring" I was embarassed.... for her. We were young and he spent a $1000 on a vintage ring from the 1930's and I thought that was way too much. But, it was the most beautiful ring I had ever seen.

We have been together 10 years, we make over $100K a year, and many times he has offered to "upgrade" my ring...but why?

I married the man, not the ring. So I still wear my vintage ring. I want for nothing, I have a wonderful husband who is a wonderful father, we have a nice home, and are financially stable. Your future is based on the decisions you make today.

As for my friend?...she got her big ring, ended up living with her husband in his parent's basement, they quit school, quit their jobs, they declared bankruptcy and divorced within a year.

But, she still has that big ring.

Answer 3

One carat weight is very nice and impressive. It should be well under $10,000.00. In fact there are different qualities of diamonds that you can buy for alot cheaper and no one will ever be the wiser. If you are on a limited budget I'd suggest purchasing this at someplace like Wal Mart's jewelry department. You can probably get it there for less than $2,000.00. It's unnecessary to go to a big pricey jewelry store because you dont have to and you will still be getting the real thing. I think Walmart and some other places have a layaway program also. Good Luck to you!!! I'm sure your girlfriend will be thrilled! Hope this advice helped you.

Answer 4

I think that a 1 ct diamond is a good size and Im sure she will love it. The cut of the diamond determines the cost as well. Go shop around a bit. Dont buy the first thing you see. Sales people know how to pressure you, but go to a few places, provide an amount you want to spend and let them show you what they have. Let them tell you the quality when you see what they have - I think shopping around is the best thing you can do to get the most for your money.

Answer 5

One carat is the average size for an engagement ring and should cost you well under 10k. Check out bluenile.com. It's an excellent source of diamond information.

Answer 6

I really don't think the price of the ring should matter. My first engagement ring must've been around $50.00,but it meant more to me at the time than anything in the whole world! Even if it was a cigar band,I would've been thrilled! People pay way too much attention to price tags and trying to impress or make others jealous. Try considering the sentimental value instead,means a hell of a lot more. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Answer 7

For under 10K you can get a gorgeous ring...

I don't think you need to follow any rule. My ring is VS, it is very clear, and it is one and a half carats for the major stone and another one carats worth of smaller stones...and trust me it was not over 10K, but it is a beautiful ring that I LOVE! You need to find something SHE LOVES...and if you know her well enuf to marry her, that should be no problem.

Answer 8

Go under $10K, that would be the ideal price. Do not go over because lets face it no one is Gotti or a celebrity for that matter.

Or if you want the same type of bling for a very decent price go to Walmart. They have some pretty impressive rings for a wallet saving price. Check it out

Answer 9

i am a girl who is waiting for my boyfriend to finally buy the famous ring, there are plenty of places you can buy a ring that will not cost you 10k, now it also depends on what your girl wants. have you ask her? see what she tells you, maybe she will be as upfront as i was with my boyfriend when he asked me, i told him i want 3 stone rings and that they need to be emerald cut diamonds, now now i am not a push over i just told him what i like, it would be nice if he gets it but if not something similar to it would be just fine, now i saw one at a jewelry store and it cost less then 5k, make sure you buy it on white or yellow gold, depending on what she likes, whether she's a white or yellow gold person, dont' buy it on platinum cuz that will cost you more then the diamond it self, and dont go buying out of some big name jewel store they tend to overprice their items, just go hunting for one, trust me you will find it in no time.
good luck and congrats.

Answer 10

What I would do is pick out rings that you or she likes in magazines and off the net, find the one you want and go to www.bluenile.com and have it made up. this site is excellent and extremely cheap. a girl my bf worked with got a ring on it and paid €9,000 but when she got it valued, it was estimated at €14,000.