What is the average size of an engagement ring in NYC (Manhattan)?

Question

My girlfriend and I both work in Wall Street. What is a good diamond size? Thanks.

Answer 1

In NY, there's a lot of competition (spoken or unspoken) about rings. You want something large enough that there's no risk of looking cheap, but not something so big that you're sacrificing quality for size.

I'd say you're looking in the 2 carats and up range. Consider whether she'd like a more unique cut, like an Ascher or cushion cut or an emerald cut. Working on Wall Street, I'm going to guess that a more classically styled ring would be a better choice. Also, you'll most likely be doing platinum.

http://www.usadiamondrings.com/images/Pictures/Engagement%20Rings/E1037.jpg
http://www.thediamondco.com/3-Cushion2.jpg

My advice is to educate yourself as much as possible on buying a diamond, and take your cues from your girlfriend's other jewelry. Does she like thing that are plain or things that are fancy? A woman that wears simple jelwelry probably wouldn't want an ornate ring, but a woman that favors a more Romantic or Victorian style probably would.

If you can, find someone in the Diamond District and buy a loose diamond to have set. Avoid chain stores, especially Tiffany's. Yes, their diamonds are nice, but really, you're paying for the name. In a city like NY with all the resources available, why pay more than you have to, just to say the ring is from Tiffany's?

http://nymag.com/weddings/listings/jewelers/
http://www.nydex.com/

Answer 2

Engagement Rings Manhattan

Answer 3

Colour, clarity, carat and cut - the 4 C's to consider when buying diamonds.

If you go for a large diamond, u might get a decent price BUT be aware that the quality might not be that great. Good quality diamonds have little inclusions (good clarity) AND good cut.

If it's quality you are going for, ask that the diamond be certified by a reputable certirfication lab and check your spec against what they have at www.diamondsource.co.za so you know if you're paying a good price. I'm South African and diamonds are a huge industry here.

Also, be aware that you may not be getting a good quality natural diamond (those are very expensive). What jewellers do (mostly in the USA) is they get ordinary diamonds with lots of inclusions and use lasers to reduce the inclusions.

And stick to buying something proportionate to her hands and fingers!

Answer 4

There is more to a diamond than it size. There is cut (both shape and quality), color, clarity and of course carat.

The rule of thumb is 2 months salary. You want a diamond with no visible inclusions ( VS clarity or better), colorless or near colorless, an ideal cut if round brilliant, and then look at carat size.

2+ carat center stone will look impressive to most people, but 1+ carats is really enough for most women. A lone solitaire may look more impressive than a fancy setting.

I would choose quality over size or if it is your budget both. For 2 carat of good quality you are looking 20k+.

Look on bluenile website for loose stones to get yourself an idea. Be careful you will want to buy a ring with a certificate and still verify it after.

Average size in NYC is probably around 1 carat for the center stone among professionals. Remember many well to do people get married before there salaries have peaked.

Answer 5

I am also in Manhattan, but I dont think that means alot as far as which engagement ring to buy. I do understand that you want it to be impressive as to the others you may see here (I have seen things that belong on display at Tiffany's, but not for everyday wear). She has to feel comfortable wearing it at all times. It also has to be a style she likes and a size to suit her hand. If she has smaller features, including hands, maybe a 7ct. isnt the way to go, it will literally weigh her down. Mine, personally is a 4 ct. ring with a 2.5 ct. center stone and a 1.5 ct. setting. (Tiffany & Co. Legacy Diamond Engegement Ring). But again it has to suit her tastes. Look at what she already wears. But I would say to def go over 1ct. (If you can afford it, which is why i think you mentioned wall street?) So if you can, sure, give her a dazzler! Lol. So I'd say over 1ct but any more than 5ct is totally overkill and she might have to hire a personal body guard! - oh! and get insurance on that ring AS SOON AS YOU BUY IT!!!

Answer 6

The best size is what is going to look good on her. I personally have small hands and anything over .8 carats looks ridiculously huge on me. (Besides, I'm so fluttery with my hands that I'm afraid I'd slice people right and left with a huge stone.) Find out what she likes and what is important to her.

If you're only buying the ring to make an impression on others, well, you didn't ask my opinion on that so I'll keep quiet. To make an impression, don't forget to take the quality of the diamond into consideration. And if you're looking to be a big spender, go for platinum and heck, while you're at it, have it custom designed and made for her.

Just please remember that this is supposed to be about your proposing to spend your lives together, not about "keeping up with the Jones'."

Answer 7

Why do want to buy an average ring? Are you marrying an average girl?

You mention you both work on Wall Street - I would take that you felt that you had to mention that meaning you have money to buy a suitable ring - so buy a ring that will make her happy and don't try to be average.

Answer 8

I'd say probably more than a carat. Can't you look at yoru colleague's rings and ask them? It really depends more on yoru intended than on your location. Some people really would not want a large or extravagant ring, no matter what anyone else has.

Answer 9

Why don't you just ask her what she likes?