Should an engagement ring be at least 1 carat?

Question

karat? I think that's the spelling.

Answer 1

Not necessarily. I have small, thin fingers and when I tried on rings, I found about 1/2 carat to be big enough so that is what I'm getting. Take her and let her try them on so you can get a good idea of what looks right. I'm glad I did because my fiance though he had to get a carat and if he had I would have this huge ring that would not look right. Good luck.

Answer 2

No. Like others have said, there is no specific size that an engagement ring should be. That being said, obviously there are many women who enjoy have larger amounts of carats. It shows that the ring was more expensive, to be blunt. Everyone knows that a small diamond is less expensive, and some people can be snobby about that kind of thing.

My engagement ring is 1 carat and people tend to think it's very pretty and decently large. Stones that are smaller than 1 carat also look perfectly nice. No one will laugh at you if the diamond is smaller than 1 carat :-P However, it's true that people notice "big rocks" and tend to think to themselves "Wow, look at that!" ($$$$) That's not always a good thing, but it can be somewhat of a status symbol, or what have you.

Answer 3

You buy what you can afford. If you can afford a 1 carat engagement ring and thats what you want to purchase then by all means go ahead. I dont think you should go in debt if its something you know you cant afford. You all will have expenses coming soon enough with your nuptials. The ring is a symbol of your commitment and love to each other although alot of people buy rings for show-off value. There is no law saying an engagement ring has to be 1 carat. Buy what you can afford. Good Luck

Answer 4

It should be whatever you like and can comfortably afford. It doesn't even have to be a diamond - you can choose any stone you like. Also, keep in mind that the ring should look nice on the woman's hand. My ring is about 1 carat - it's a diamond cluster that I inherited from my grandmother. I may have chosen something a little smaller, but the ring is beautiful and has tons of sentimental value so I'm perfectly happy with it. I have a good friend whose fiance gave her a 4 carat (yes, 4 carat!) boulder. It's so big that it just looks ridiculous...and everyone has started referring to it as 'John's ego' - meaning that he was more interested in showing off than anything else.

In short, go with what you like and with what looks nice.

Answer 5

There are so many different styles of rings now (as opposed to just a solitare), that you can purchase a ring that has less than a carat of diamonds but still have it look like there is more there. I have a diamond ring that is a half carat but the half carat is made up of 32 smaller diamonds set in an antique setting. Somebody would really have to looking at it to see all the small stones. At a glance it looks like a 2 carat ascher cut ring. Find something that looks nice, fits her style and is in your budget.

Answer 6

Heck no. To me, that is too big. I have small hands and fingers (like some other answerers have mentioned) and it would look ridculous on me. I think a smaller ring is better and then gives you something to upgrade later like maybe on your tenth anniversary or something. I would be happen with any ring my bf gets for me. Stop being petty just because you have a smaller ring. Bigger ring does not equal more happiness nor does it mean that your fiance loves you any more then say, a girl that got a 1/2 or 3/4 carat ring. Be happy with what your honey got you.

Answer 7

More importantly, it should reflect who you are as a couple. If you're young and just starting out, no, it likely would be much less. Same goes for women who work alot with their hands or who don't really like jewelery.

My cousin's ring is probably 1/4 carat, but her hand is only a size 4, and it looks perfect. My ring is a size 8 (lovely fat fingers, they are), and my ring is a carat + side stones, and it looks right on my hand. There's no one ring that works for everyone.

Answer 8

There is no set size an engagement ring should be. Mine was half a carat -.25 center and sides and it was beautiful. Some girls are superficial like that and might require their man get them a bigger ring but no, it doesnt have to be that size. On the other hand If you are thinking about buying her one and that is what you are wanting to buy then yes that size is fine, but she should not make you get anything

Answer 9

An engagement ring should be whatever he can comfortably afford. In some cases that's one carat, in other cases it's two carats, and in many, many cases it's a fraction of a carat, or no carat at all. There's nothing that mandates the size of the ring or the type of stone (non-diamond stones are perfectly suitable), or any stone at all. In my opinion, women who think in these minimum terms are insecure about themselves, about their boyfriends, and about their relationships. The fiance is the prize, not the engagement ring.

Answer 10

I don't think that the Emily Post rule says anything about carat size-it says the ring should cost around two months gross salary.

That being said, I wanted at least 1 carat and that is what I received because my fiance was able to afford it. I actually prefer having the size I have to bigger because mine is colorless and sparkles beautifully. I also happen to know other people who have smaller and larger diamonds.