Need engagement ring advice.?

Question

What is the best place to get engagement rings? Also, what is the amount I should spend? Any specifics, such as carat size? Also, which do you think is better: princess cut or round cut?

I am a student and I only have a few thousand dollars in savings (less than 10 grand). My only pay is from the Reserves and I'll be graduating with student loan debt.

I was thinking about Tiffany but I've heard they're really expensive and high class.

Answer 1

The old rule was "3months salary" for an appropriate amount for an engagement ring. But truly, it is what you can afford. My fiance proposed to me when he was 19, with a .3 carat round diamond. Since we will be getting married around our five year mark, he told me he is planning to upgrade, which is a great option. However, a few thousand dollars will be able to buy a beautiful ring!

I recommend a jewler such as Kay's, Carters's, Tiffany's(more on the expensive side). Start in your mall, they usually have a few shops that you can start your search.

Look up the 4 C's: clarity, cut, carat, and color. Once you know a bit about these factors about buying a diamond, you will know more about what you are looking for and what you can afford.

The cut personally, is a different preference for everyone. Some like asher, princess, cushion, pear, round, etc. The metal is also a factor: white/yellow gold, platinum. Again, personal preference.

Remember, you do not have to spend a lot of money on a ring. It's not about the size of the ring, it is the purpose BEHIND the ring.

Answer 2

I consulted the link for the Tiffany's website and note that the pricing parameters was "from 1100" so that price is likey for a very small (but still good quality) center stone.

my boyfriend got my engagement ring from:

www.bluenile.com

I am sooo in love with it. The diamond he chose was of exceptional quality (.5 ct, round cut) and a platinum four prong solitaire setting. He paid about $1500 (from savings).

My advice is definitely spend within your means. I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't be pleased to know that she is wearing a really expensive ring that you blew all your savings on AND will be paying off until long after the wedding. If you can pay with CASH YOU HAVE Already SAVED, I would strongly urge you to do so.

Answer 3

My bf is a graduate student and will buy a 1 carat oval blue topaz with a platinum band. It'll cost less than a grand. I would like round better. Whatever you do, don't go into debt for the ring. Remember, and this is why I am not engaged yet, a very expensive wedding comes after the engagement ring and after that is life together. Marriage is very expensive, and you need to make sure that you'll be able to support yourselves before you tie the knot.
Good luck!!!

Answer 4

You can spend a couple of thousand if you like, but that money will probably be better geared towards paying down debt or even the WEDDING. Weddings are expensive, you know.

http://www.ice.com

The ring I want is $195.00. It's beautiful, but I wouldn't be afraid to wear it like I would a superexpensive ring, and it wouldn't harm my finace financially. We're not materialistic types, though - we've been talking about marriage and planning it for a while and still don't have rings. Just not that big of a deal.

Of course, there is sentimental value, but sentiment shouldn't have anything to do with income. My fiance could tie an old string around my finger...as long as he did so with love and honesty, I would love it every bit as much as even the prettiest shiny object.

Don't worry about the money - find something that you know she'd like. Talk with her or, if you're trying to plan a surprise, talk to a friend of your girlfriend's that would be able to keep a secret (for your girl's happiness) and help you pick out something to her tastes.

If that doesn't seem like an option, go for a silver/platinum/ white gold band with a solitare. One shiny diamond, doesn't have to be that big, just shiny! Propose.

If she likes you for the right reasons, she probably won't give the ring much though. After all of the excitement dies down, though, you can (if you wish) mention that you want to get her a nicer one, or that you want to spend more on the wedding, or that you'll get nicer wedding bands, or that you'll upgrade her engagement ring on your first/whenever wedding anniversary.

Don't worry too much about it. If you've got the right girl, she'll be ecstatic anyway. Good luck hon, and congrats!

Answer 5

The ring depends on the girl. If she's a bigger girl, than you'll want a bigger ring, but if she's a smaller girl, a smaller ring. Is she more traditional, or modern? Does she like diamonds, or prefer gemstones like ruby, sapphire, or emerald (they are three of the four precious stones, diamond being the first, of course)? Does she like gold, yellow gold, white gold, or silver? Carat size depends on the girl as well. I myself don't like anything too flashy, so my fiance' chose a less than one carat Marquise-cut diamond solitaire in white gold. Simple, beautiful, elegant, and just what I would have picked for myself. It was about $190. If you don't know the answers to the above questions, remember the kinds of rings she likes to wear. That will help you to better understand her taste. As for the two cuts that you mentioned, princess is the better bet. It's a little more modern than the others, but the second favorite of ring buyers. This cut accentuates the natural luster and fire of the diamond, giving it better sparkle. Save as much of your money for wedding or living expenses as you can.

Answer 6

You should spend what you can afford. You're sweet to want to buy your bride a Tiffany diamond but you can't afford it. You can get her a ring from Tiffany on your fiftieth anniversary. You need to make a budget. Figure out what's coming in, and what you owe for student loans and also for everyday bills (phone, utilities,etc) That should give you an idea of how much you have to spend on a diamond ring. Remember this above all--you do not want to start your marriage in debt. All the best to you both!

Answer 7

Try asking your mom or her mom or even your grandmother to donate a diamond, that will save you more than half the cost right there. Then just have it re-set in a nice new ring, this can cost only a fraction of what a whole new ring would cost. If that wont work, just start small with a .25 and nice band and dont go into debt, you can always upgrade later on an anniversary.

Congratulations!!

Answer 8

First thing you need to do is figure out how much you want to spend. Then you take it from there. Just go to a known Jewelry store that has stores located everywhere (in the US). If you really want to go very expensive they usually have lay-away plans that works great! Just put a few dollars or a few hundred towards the purchase every month.

And definitely find out what she likes... white gold, yellow gold, platinum, princess cuts, baguettes, etc.

I was in the same situation. Student about to graduate and wanted to propose. I went to Marks and Morgans. I spent about $800, but I did not have any money in savings.

Answer 9

Why not build your own engagement ring online ? You have to know her ring size but it's easy to design your ring and you can make a beautiful and affordable one.

Plus, it will be unique and you are the one who choose the setting for her. There is a guide with great tips here http://www.buildengagementring.net/build-your-own-ring.html

Popular diamonds weight are between 0.5 and 1 carat, as for the price the tradition says two month salary but that's just crazy. Just choose what you like and what you think she will like.

You can build your own engagement ring at these stores
http://www.buildengagementring.net/engagement-stores.html

I prefer the round shape.

Answer 10

Forget about the "two months salary" rubbish. save your 10 grand in savings for a down payment on a house, or to pay off your debts.

The ring isn't as important as the status of the relationship. My advice? Propose BEFORE you pick out a ring. why? first, she can help pick out the ring (and answer your princess vs. round cut question etc).

also, don't think you have to dazzle her with a ring to "sweeten the deal" when you propose. You want her saying "yes" to YOU, not saying "yes" to the ring.