My girlfriend says she would like (expect!) a 3 karat diamond engagement ring - what should I expect to pay?

Question

I know traditionally there are several 'guidelines' 10% of annual salary or 2 months salary ... what is reasonable? And I am not talking about cheap stuff - something you would find at EE Robbins, Shane Co (Seattle area stores) ... your reputable engagement ring store.

Any suggestions/recommendations toward price/cost? We looked at a ring (for fun) at Tiffany - think it was 2karat for 87k ... she was laughing at my gasp for air. Didn't know if she was just messing with me or if there was a bit of seriousness to this!

I may have overstated ... more of a suggestion than expectation ;)

Thanks for the comments - actually it really has been a joking suggestion (from what I can tell!). She is a great girl, maybe sometimes on the high maintenance side - but she also has an outstanding career, quite successful personally, and solid financially, so she funds her own high maintenance quite well!

What price range do most spend - what is typical for most?

Answer 1

Karats is the last thing to think about when choosing a diamond. I personally picked out something with perfect color and clarity, but it's kinda small, and gorgeous! It also costs a lot more than diamonds more than twice it's size.
If she wants to be shallow about the size of the rock, get her a yellow one with cracks in it (nothing too obvious). You'll save a bundle if that's all you focus on and she'll get exactly what she asked for.

EDIT:
I think 1-2 months is enough, go for whatever is comfortable, you don't need to go into debt over it. Give her a price and let her shop, that's what I did and got exactly what I wanted. Then confiscate the ring and start working on a great speech.

Answer 2

I would break it off until she's ready to marry you even without an engagement ring. Honestly, if it were me I would probably break it off and leave it at that. A girl in love wouldn't care about .7 carats worth of diamonds. Besides, do you really feel comfortable putting that kind of money ie a down payment on a house or a new car on her finger? I can't imagine marrying anyone that selfish and immature. She's being incredibly selfish and if you can't see that I pity you because this is the way the rest of your marriage will be. She will probably take and take until you're broke or fed up with it and you'll get divorced. Look, I didn't think girls like this existed but it looks like you've found one. You're not being over sensitive, she's being insensitive. Don't marry the girl. Isn't it the thought that counts? Some girls are like this and a lot of them end up being cheaters too. They are never happy with what they have in front of them, just like the ring. Don't be guilted into marrying this girl because, she will try to do that. Believe me, getting divorced later will be a lot more painful than breaking up now.

Answer 3

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RE:
My girlfriend says she would like (expect!) a 3 karat diamond engagement ring - what should I expect to pay?
I know traditionally there are several 'guidelines' 10% of annual salary or 2 months salary ... what is reasonable? And I am not talking about cheap stuff - something you would find at EE Robbins, Shane Co (Seattle area stores) ... your reputable engagement ring store.

Any...

Answer 4

You could probably get a three carat ring cheap if it looked like crap. You need to know about the 4 c's when it comes to diamonds.

1--Carat, or weight
2-Clarity---the amount of flaws you will find in the stone
3-Color ---you want a diamond that is colorless (well, usually, they do have some with great colors out there--I'm thinking stay away from yellow....
4-Cut What type of style of diamond? The more unusal the cut, the more expensive it gets. For example, a princess cut is going to more than the traditional round cut

Don't forget the extra cost of the wedding band or ring guard. You will also want to get the ring appraised and certified. Take the paperwork to your insurance company and get the ring covered for loss and theft.

I bet that she would like anything you get her. I would try and find out the style or cut that she is looking for. I'm pretty traditional myself, but different strokes for different folks.

Good luck!

One more thing-----never pay full price. The markup on jewelry is outrageous!

Answer 5

Well, just remember that it is 50-50 that your marriage will last any more than about 4 years. I spent what I could when I got married. It was around $3,500. I was married for over 18 years, always faithful. I am not perfect, but I did my best, but she moved out and has had a boyfriend for I don't know how long. I noticed that she left her engagement ring and band on the dresser, so I sold them to a jeweler for $385 after getting several offers. No kidding!

It sounds more like she wants to be crowned queen, not be a marriage partner.

Answer 6

LOL, well I hope you have a good paycheck, 3 karats can go from 18k to god only knows, the cheaper the ring the worst quality of the diamond. I hope she is a good girl and i hope you really want to spend the rest of your life with someone that materialistick. I would buy her a cheap ring just to test her and see how she reacts. If she will accept it and still love you maby she desrves that 3 karat, if she gets upset, and throws a hissy fir, leave her ***. I rather have my bf spend the 40k or whatever on a downpayment on a house that we can live in.

Answer 7

I don't know what the rules are personally I could give a rats well you know. And I would say that if she is already throwing out the price of her ring I can't wait to see how much the house, car clothes ect, ect, ect are going to cost you. Hopefully you either A. Won the lottery, B Have a great inheritance coming, C Are already fithy rich, D Plan on working like a horse until the day you die. What the heck is it with these chicks who have the nerve to tell somebody what they expect in an engagement ring. What ever happend to the "love" I guess that **** just goes right out the window hey. Well its up to you my man. You should pick out whatever ring you like, whatever ring you can afford comfortably and I say if she doesent like it dump her and find somebody who does and marry her. But hey thats just my opionion. Good luck to you and your girfriend.

Answer 8

I would wonder about someone who wants a ring that size. Not a good way to start things. Why not start out with something smaller and promise a larger ring on your 10th wedding anniversary? There are so many expenses to setting up housekeeping that money put on a ring like that could well go into the home. Sad that so many young people are so materialistic and impractical like this.

Answer 9

hi great question.
I saw a lady with a 5 carat ring. I just had to ask. how big is that thing? casually, in an off hand manner she replied, Oh, 5 carats. it was stunning. she played it cool but I know she was very pleased to have someone notice that horse choker.

it depends on where you shop.
you could buy a cubic zirconium for three carats for a few hundred bucks. but you prob. wouldn't.

here in chicago, I know a very reputable jewler who charges around 7-8 grand per carat. so if you bought from him you'd pay 21-24 grand..


you can go to diamond wholesalers and they can get you a stone that is not top shelf for much lower. they'll have some inclusions in them. cloudy parts or bits of black carbon. 3 karats is big.

I have a sugg. I know you want to make this girl happy.

I have a friend. his wife told him he absolutely had to buy her a one karat diamond or she would never be happy.

our pastor at our church told him he might as well buy it for her or he'd never hear the end of it.

lots of your feedback said the same thing. if she's expecting big bling, maybe she's greedy. maybe she is?

maybe she's insecure?

Lets face it dude. in our society, if a lady has big ice, it says she's really something, really loved. really appreciated. not taken for granted. different than other babes with lesser ice.


I think prob. these things are what your gal really wants from you.


if you chide her and say, piggy piggy, we could use that 20 grand for a downpayment on a new condo, or to buy what ever, she might see the light.

she might also resent you don't love her enough to pop for the big ice.
prob. you're not gonna dump her for being greedy and go find some church mouse who is happy with a crust of bread, a simple gold band and your warm smile. thought that might be nice.


I think your girl is a bit insecure about her status in life and this rock may remind her she is special and you loved her enough to make this sacrifice.

my girl never asked for bling and I used to give it to all the time. diamonds, and rubies and platinum. she thought it was nice but wasn't really into it.

for her b-day I bought her a solid 18k gold watch. she sniffed. it doesn't have a second hand. it was super expenisive and I got hot.

I don't buy her bling anymore. she has enough. she kinda likes the funky stuff we find at open air markets.

if you don't have major bucks but you want to do things right I'd say you're definately on the right track.

you started out going to Tiffinay's and looking at their incredible mark up.

now go to Robbin shane and look at their stuff.

then go find a diamond wholesaler. every big town has several because every town has women.

go together and shop till you drop.
even if you find the most killer stone at the first store, you gotta really kill this beast, so tell em to put it on hold and continue shopping. when you're worn out, and looked at lots, then decide whichone you really want.

blessings.

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Answer 10

I think that it is nice of you to give her what she wants.but you should give her what you can afford.If she wants to pay the difference that's on her.Dam why cant it just be enough that someone loves you enough to want to marry yo for life.If you pay high now you always will.she doesn't need a 3 carat ring she needs love and a home.Tell her that if you last 5 years then shell get the ring.if not you ll know what shes after