2007-02-26 11:31:48 · 35 answers · asked by funhalifaxguy 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Too expensive: anything that puts you into debt.
Too cheap: ring out of a gumball machine.
Do not put yourself and your fiance to be into debt for an engagement ring.
2007-02-26 11:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by Terri 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Too cheap is having to look for the stone with a microscope. Too expensive is having to take on debt to buy it. Don't worry about that-just get something you know she will like-she's going to wear it for the rest of her life, you know!
If you feel her out with what she'd like and not like, you can start from there. Go to a jeweler, and explain your budget and what your GF likes, and they should be able to fix you up with sometihng. I also recommend a private jeweler rather than Kay or some other chain store-they can give you much more personal service...
We just got engaged last week, and the ring he picked was perfect--he knew what I'd like because he brough up the subject a few times and went from there.
Just in general, if an engagement ring is under $1000, it's pretty cheap. Over $15,000 is too expensive.
2007-02-26 11:45:43 · answer #2 · answered by melouofs 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simply put too cheap is bending over and offering her your ring (i heard it happened to someone I knew) and too expensive is selling your stuff and having anything more than a 1 year loan to buy one. She loves you and the ring on her finger makes her feel good because everyone she meets knows someone loves her. Don't make the diamond miniscule. When I got engaged he asked me and then we went to a jewellery store and selected one together. That way she appreciates what she is getting (and you know she loves it) and the pressure is off you to buy the right size, spend the right amount of money etc. It is not a lazy way of getting out of buying her a ring - view it as a practical way of getting her something which you both intend for her to wear every day, forever. If you feel you must front up with something when asking her choose something that means something to her. Like a shell from your favourite beach, a new pet etc.... Good luck and remember enjoy the experience and stop stressing. This is an important moment for you both and she will be so over the moon that whatever gesture you give her will be welcomed
2007-02-26 11:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can get a 10K diamond ring for about $100 and it moves up from there. The average is $800 spent for an engagement ring. The thing is to buy something you can comfortably afford, and not go into debt over a ring. It is, after all, symbolic, and if you have a mature woman you are marrying, she understands that already. What's important is that you are choosing it, and she will just appreciate the question that comes with it!
2007-02-26 22:43:34 · answer #4 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The DeBeers people are now saying 3 months salary, which is JUST WRONG!!! Talk it over with your girlfriend and find out what her thoughts are.
My husband bought me a set on sale for 800. I love it. I didn't believe we should start our life in debt for diamonds, I'd rather be in debt for a car or house.
Too cheap would be getting the smallest diamond (or whatever) because it's cheap. Too expensive would be something that other people would talk about becuase it's garish.
Don't go into debt (too far), remember your earnings and buying power will go up as you get older, you can always buy her an upgraded anniversary band(s). If you can buy a car for the price of the ring, you are probably spending too much.
2007-02-26 13:25:52 · answer #5 · answered by zeebarista 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as too expensive; that being said, you shouldn't go into years of debt over it. All the wedding books say that a guy should spend a month's salary on the ring; my fiancee didn't spend that much, and I'm glad about it - now I'm not also stuck with the bill for my own ring! So, get whatever you can, and she's sure to love it. Keep in mind you can always get her another - bigger - one down the road when you're doing better financially.
2007-02-26 11:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by trillian 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with the two month thing. By that rule, my boyfriend should have bought me a $3000 ring. That's rediculous. He spent less than $1000 and that's fine by me. I love my ring. It's beautiful and I know he picked it out with me in mind. I also know that he offered to work more hours until our wedding to help pay for it and also to pay for the things we need for our apartment. I worry about him working too much, but he wants to take care of us.
If a girl needs a $3000 ring to be happy, she's just marrying to say she got a fancy ring. I'm marrying him because I love him with all my heart and I don't want to live without him.
Edit: Oh man. To the girl who said she got an $8000 ring that was upgraded to a $20,000 ring. Wow, talk about spoiled. No wonder the marriage didn't last. You were too expensive and your priorities were not straight. That's idiotic. It makes me so angry. It's people like you that ruin the goodness of weddings and marriages. You just have a wedding to show off to your other girl friends. You try to outdo them by having a $20,000 ring or having a $2000 dress or something. Grow up!
And of course the jewelers are going to set a 2 month, 3 month rule. They make more money that way!
2007-02-26 14:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by New mommy 2010! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've seen girls with $40 engagement rings. I've seen couples marry using $20 wedding rings.
I've seen some not get an engagement ring at all.
It is about the commitment not the ring.
I wouldn't spend a fortune on a wedding ring but you do want something that is going to last through all the years.
Other than that, set a price limit, call your jeweler & have him pull the rings in that price range. Then let your gal go wild, picking & choosing the ring she'll treasure all her life.
If you can't afford a jeweler, there are good web sites that have good cubic zirconia & lab gem rings.
2007-02-26 12:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by weddrev 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Too cheap is when you can buy one every 6 months; too expensive is when you can only buy one every 60 years. LOL
Seriously, the jewelry industry is recommending the following formula: multiply your take-home pay (net income) by 3 = the total price of the ring (tax & finance charges included) that you should buy.
I honestly don't remember where and when I heard about this but I promise you I'm not making it up. I hope other answers will lend credence to this.
2007-02-26 11:42:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Too cheap" is probably what you think you are going to spend. Those things are really expensive. They recommend two months salary, but "they" are the people that sell diamonds. I thought that I had a pretty good budget until I really started shopping for them, I had to up my budget by about 60%. It is (supposedly) a lifetime investment, so you probably don't want to cheap out.
Try to figure out what she wants first and then try to get that. Ask some of her friends only if you can trust them not to tell (not too likely).
2007-02-26 11:46:47 · answer #10 · answered by Poops Magee 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋