How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Question

How many carats should I get?

I need help!

Answer 1

I think a 1 carat solitaire is always nice. Amount you spend will depend on the cut, clarity, color, etc.

Look at Shane Co. if you have one. They have something where you can buy a diamond and down the road if you want to upgrade to a larger one, you can bring in the current diamond, trade it in, and apply the price you paid for it toward a new one. And, you can pick out the diamond and mount it into a temporary solitaire and once you pop the question, you both go back and she pick the setting she likes best and put the diamond you choose in it.

Answer 2

Traditionally, it's 2 months salary, but that's gone the way of the dinosaurs. These days, it's however much you decide. Carat-wise, I think that 1 carat and under is decent for a wedding ring, if you're traditionalists. If you can afford more than 1 carat, and want her to be the envy of every lady in her office/school/whatever, then go for it.
Blue Nile is a really good website for diamond and jewelry information. I suggest you take a look there.

Answer 3

I hate when everyone says that a man should spend 3 weeks or 3 months salary (whichever one it is) on an engagement ring. I think if you love eachother-the ring does NOT matter.

You should spend what you can afford, no more than that! If she likes big rings see how far your budget will go. If she likes smaller rings then get one with the best clarity and cut that you can afford.

I am totally happy with a $10 CZ ring from walmart...is that what I have no, but I would be just as happy if that is what my man proposed with! Of course I have to look at the ring, so he got my thoughts on what I wanted first. But don't over do it...a lot of people get a ring that maybe less than what they can afford and then add to it later or get a whole new setting for a 5 or 10 year anniversary.

I think you should determine what you can afford and go from there. Don't buy a big bulky ring just because it is 1.5 carats...do your research first!

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 4

I agree with the 2 carat answer! No, seriously, whatever you can afford. If you can, try to save up and pay cash for it, that way, you won't have to worry about paying off a credit card later! Mine is total 1 carat and I have 3 stones, the middle is elevated over the side two and I think it looks a lot bigger (and more expensive) than it actually is, so you can get a good deal! :)
Just keep in mind that if it is a huge rock and fairly reasonable, it's not as good of a stone. Keep in mind your 4 Cs!!
Good Luck!!!

P.S. If you can afford it, get a Platinum band...yellow gold is not as stylish as it once was, plus if you get white gold (which is just plated gold), it starts to turn a goldish color and she'll have to dip it every year or two

Answer 5

I say what you can afford + what she likes.

My fiance bought me just a tiny gold ring for the actual proposal. Yesterday he brought me to the jewelers to pick out a ring I actually liked. He kept quiet the whole time. I picked out a solitaire 1/4 carat diamond princess cut and a wedding band. He was thinking I was going to pick out something much more expensive, but that's just not me! I wanted something simple and pretty. I think anything over 1 carat is too big and too expensive. I'd be afraid to lose the diamond or have it stolen or something. I think he was quite happy with what I picked and I'm just so happy to be with him and to have something so pretty with such great meaning!

Seriously though, don't over do it. If my fiance had bought some huge rock I would have made him return it and I think he would have felt bad about that.

Answer 6

I've always heard that it's 2 months salary that's expected. However that is an old saying. Spend what you can afford, but save up some first.

If she already knows that you plan to pop the question go ahead and take her for ideas. Otherwise take her mom/sister/best friend (or a combo) and ask for opinions. Once you have an idea what she wants you'll know how much you need to save.

*Other thought: any family heirloom rings? You can get the stone reset, or keep it the way it's always been.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

How many carats and how much you spend doesn't matter if you're in love. My husband paid $200 for the set (it was on sale) and I love it. I dont think that I would like a big lanky ring hanging on my finger. I would be afraid of losing it or someone stealing it. Honestly though, go to a pawn shop. Stores tend to mark up the price of a ring by alot. Good luck!

Answer 8

Don't listen to people about what's "expected" of the rings price. You know your girl best. Would she be upset to get a ring that wasn't thousands of dollars? I told my husband before we got engaged not to spend a ton on the engagement ring because it would be money we could put towards our first home. Mine I think cost about $700 and it is 3/4 carat and it's gorgeous. I love my ring, it didn't matter how much it cost to me, just that he chose something he knew I would love. He was right.

Answer 9

Well it depends on your income. The rule of thumb is that a man should spend the equivalent of 3 months of his income. For example, if you make say $1500 every two weeks, that means about $3000 in one month and $9000 in 3 months. So you should spend anywhere from about $8000-$10000 on her ring. The amound you have to spend on her ring will affect how many carats. The carat amount is important but the CLARITY and COLOR are also very important. With atleast $6000 to spend on her ring, you should be able to get a 2.5-3k ring that is near clear and colorless.

Good luck! And it sounds like alot of money, but many jewelers have payment plans and even credit cards you can apply for.

Answer 10

I wouldn't go over 1 carat. I think that they get in the way when they're over that. You need to spend however much you can afford. I did the math not long ago on another Answer, and the three month rule is completely unreasonable. According to that, my bf would have to save up 4,000+ to buy me a ring, and we probably wouldn't be able to eat if he spent that much! He's in all actuality going to end up spending under a grand to get what I want (blue topaz in platinum).
Check out my other Answer it's a bit more detailed:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoCCGk9QUaE30JcPBVzOlF_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071025174947AAVFGbz&show=7#profile-info-8lzy0N4aaa