My boyfriend and I are very serious. We have been talking about moving in together eventualy and getting engaged after that. We were talking about the prices of rings and stuff. If I remember correctly, theres like a "guideline" for how much to spend on an engagement ring. I thought it was like 1 or 2 paychecks worth or something like that. Someone help!!
2006-12-04 06:15:52 · 28 answers · asked by Katie 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I dont plan on him spending a whole lot. We know what we can afford and I dont want something expensive. I like nothing over 1/2 c to 3/4 c.
2006-12-04 06:41:30 · update #1
The "guideline" is two months salary. However, this is often ridiculous. Go for the ring that you love and can afford rather than the one that fits in with the "guidelines".
2006-12-04 06:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no guideline!!!!
Please understand that the "two months salary" guideline was created by De Beers, the diamond mining company that distributes diamonds to all of the jewelers. Of course they want to up the price guideline of an engagement ring...its more money for them!
And does every single answer here have a thumbs down? I don't think I've ever seen this before.
2006-12-04 14:48:03 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I would think there is just your own personal guideline.
My finace (now hubby) spent $1,000 on a nice 1/4 carot diamond with a matching wedding band. At our 5 year anniversary he upgraded to a beautiful custom made 1 ct diamond solitare and a diamond eternity band. Our local jeweler took my original ring in on trade for my new set. However, some couples choose not to do that.
Also, a lot of people are choosing to not even get diamonds in their wedding bands - they choose their birthstone - so that they can get a much larger stone if they have a limited budget.
Your engagement ring should not break your bank account! You can always get a HUGE anniversary band later when you have more money.
Also, a good tip that no one bothers to share with others....GO TO A PAWN SHOP! The owners lend something close to $100 per carot and then turn around and sell it for just much less than you can buy in a real jewelry store! Some of their jewelry is awesome! I found a 3 carot princess cut ring in Vegas for $3,500 and it was very close to flawless!
Good luck!
2006-12-04 14:26:13 · answer #3 · answered by jmrob29 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why don't you just buy what you can afford now....That should be the guideline really, not some superficial formula that someone made up....unless of course they are paying for it. I've also suggested to other friends, just buy a band now, and save for the engagement ring.
2006-12-04 14:20:11 · answer #4 · answered by favrd1 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Debeers commercial always says three months worth of paycheck's but that is mostly a marketing tool. I would suggest that you and your boyfriend go to the mall and look at the jewelery stores for different rings. They can help you with color,cut,clarity and carat advice. That way he will know what kind of ring you like and it will give him an idea of how much he needs to save to buy it for you. Plus your guranteed to get a ring you know you will like.;)
2006-12-04 14:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by Riss 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Generally it'd be about 2 month's salary, but keep in mind you shouldn't spend the money if you can't afford to. On a side note, shop non conventional stores such as Costco or Sam's Club for your jewelry, their price will always be about half of what you'd pay at a normal jeweler.
2006-12-04 14:18:52 · answer #6 · answered by Mark B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't get caught up in that mess! Engagement rings and weddings are about the love between you and your man. Not how much a ring costs. Buy whatever ring you like that fits within your budget.
2006-12-04 14:19:46 · answer #7 · answered by Jenn 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It does all depend on just how much he or both of you can afford. Just move in together and give that a shot at first. You might not want to even get engaged after that.
2006-12-04 14:19:12 · answer #8 · answered by pecksun8 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's normally 2 or 3 months of salary but it's really want you can afford. Also go shopping together and find something you like and base it on that.
I picked out my ring... Tiffany's wanted $20,000 for my ring and he had it made somewhere else for half the price. So shop around and get estimates from people.
2006-12-04 14:27:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The stuff about one or two months' salary is crap. It is a marketing thing promoted by jewellers.
There are absolutely beautiful rings that you can get for well under $1000.
Girl, if you really plan in your heart to get married, do not move in with him until you are married. You need to start reading questions on this site about all the girls who have broken hearts - thought they would move in, he would ask, he doesn't ask, she gets pregnant, he still doesn't want to get married, always has a reason, you have one baby, then another, then you get mad because he won't marry you.
Think about it, and do the right thing for yourself.
2006-12-04 17:13:33 · answer #10 · answered by Lydia 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋