I've recently started a job making about 33k. I want to buy a nice engagement ring, how much should I spend?

Question

I'm not looking for what style of ring, just a window of price options based upon my salary.

Answer 1

If you have a loving girlfriend who doesn't care about how much her ring costs I would say to not spend more then $1,000. If you want her to have better quality than no more than $3,000. Just remember one thing...do not get a loan or pay for the ring with a credit card. If you don't have enough money to pay for one then purchase a cheap one! No girlfriend wants you to pay for her ring like you do a car! I would say a fair price based on your income is about $1,500.

Answer 2

People who say she should just appreciate it anyway and if she doesn't, dump her... that's ridiculous. There is obviously more to a relationship than whether she agrees with your taste in jewelry! So. It's obvious by your question that it's important to you that she likes the ring. That is wonderful that you care how she feels about it. You know that she doesn't like it... but do you know what she does like? If you do, take the ring back and exchange it. You never have to say a word. If you don't know, then I think the best approach is to propose with the ring you have and acknowledge that you already know she doesn't like it, but you had already bought it by the time she mentioned that, and were just waiting for the perfect time to propose. The fact that you've been planning this is sweet. At that point, go back to the jeweler you bought it from together. I'm sure they'll take your return. Then you can let her pick what she likes at whatever price point you bought the original. This is not unromantic - she will be showing that thing off to everyone! Trust me, she won't be disappointed that you wanted to make it right. You are not expected to know every detail of your girlfriend's preferences, so don't feel bad that she didn't like your choice. What's more important is the fact that you care what her preferences are. I think that speaks a lot about the two of you as a couple. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Whatever you can honestly afford. Do NOT go into debt for this. It's not the ring that is the most important thing when asking for her hand in marriage it is the story she will get to tell friends about how you asked.

It is not uncommon for a lady to have a small stone when she first gets married and to upgrade to a larger stone as finances become available.

A .5 carat diamond ring should not cost more than $500 a moderate 1 carat diamond ring $1000.
Most people spend $300-2000.

I've given a few links to a website that I have ordered from before and have had good results with.

Answer 4

If you go to www.adiamondisforever.com they have a "spend calculator" based on how much you make. It is said that you should spend about 2 months salary on a ring. However, my boyfriend and I are in the process of getting engaged, and while a nice ring is important to most girls (myself included) and makes you feel special and makes the event feel even more exciting, there has to be a compromise between the amazing-make your friends jealous-so sparkly you can see it from Mars ring and what you feel you can afford. You guys are building a life together, not just buying a ring for your girlfriend to wear, so you shouldn't bankrupt yourself on this one purchase...this is just a long line of expensive purchases (i.e. a wedding, a home, kids, cars...and the list goes on and on). But, congratulations on your impending engagement and remember to buy something she'll love but that won't bankrupt you!

By the way...all those people above that say that you can get a really nice ring or a good ring for $1000-$3000 clearly haven't been ring shopping in at least 15 years, if ever. The average price of a nice ring (and I'm talking high quality diamond in the range of 1-1.5 carats in white gold) is at least (AT LEAST!) $5000. Even a .5 carat ring with a high quality diamond (and trust me, that's important) will run you around $5000.

Answer 5

Only spend as much as you are comfortable with. Don't go into debt over it. Don't believe the ads that say you have to spend one or two months' salary on an engagement ring; they are just marketing hype. You can get really nice rings for a few hundred dollars and up!

Answer 6

I would say your best bet is to figure out a budget of what you would be comfortable spending and go from there. The rule of thumb used to be something like a month or two's salary but i think that is out of date. I would recommend something in the couple thousand range if you can spend it and you should be able to find a beautiful ring. Look online for some great discounts you'll get much more bang for your buck!

Answer 7

It's always advised to spend 2 months salary on a ring. But I have a feeling that was concocted by some jeweler.
Spend what you want.

Call ahead to the jeweler & give him your price range, then take your girl to let her pick out the ring she adores. Remember this is something she will be wearing for the rest of her life.
If you don't want to do it this way, make sure that the jeweler will exchange it in case the future mrs. doesn't like what you've chosen.

Answer 8

Usually, for a good quality diamond, a 1 carat round solitaire costs $4,000. Perhaps ask this woman to go ring shopping with you and get an idea first of what she likes. Some women like rings that cost $400 or less, others like rings that are incredibly expensive.

Answer 9

You should generally spend around 2 months salary on the ring. But if you find a gorgeous one for less that you 'll know she'll love - go for that one. If you find one that's a few more months worth of money but you know she'll DIE over it - grab that one. No one's really going to do a price check...unless it's plastic.

Answer 10

About $ 2.75 to $ 3.0 K, or 1 month of your salary