How much should you spend on an engagement ring?
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From: Windsor, ON, Canada
I had cash on hand to do the 3-month rule for my wife's engagement ring. I took her to possibly the worst store to shop off the bat -- Tiffany's in Singapore. When she found one she 'liked' ... US$140k! 
Then she tried to find a similar quality / cut ring at various jeweler's within my 'Tiffany budget' ...
She realized it was a hopeless endeavor to find something good quality at a "low price" and so she just wears a wedding band. Money allocated toward engagement ring can no go towards my next car ... 
That's why I love my wife so much.
Then she tried to find a similar quality / cut ring at various jeweler's within my 'Tiffany budget' ...
She realized it was a hopeless endeavor to find something good quality at a "low price" and so she just wears a wedding band. Money allocated toward engagement ring can no go towards my next car ... That's why I love my wife so much.
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From: Windsor, ON, Canada
Originally Posted by mypoorTSX
good thing i don't have to buy an engagement ring. my 2 mths salary is utterly pitiful.
Actually, whomever mentioned the concept of "no upgrades" -- I am in 100% agreement. You bought that ring as a symbol of your love and statement of fidelity. "Upgrading" means that symbol can be easily replaced. That is such a pathetic excuse to buy a bigger rock.
Go big or go home.
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From: Toronto
The "2 months salary" thing was invented and marketed by debeers. I wonder why.
If you can swing it, got for a 1ca solitaire and prioritize on cut, then color. si1 is just fine. As soon as you dip below 1 ca, the price drops significantly, so that might be an option as well. Get a .9 and the finance can tell everyone its a 1ca
If you can swing it, got for a 1ca solitaire and prioritize on cut, then color. si1 is just fine. As soon as you dip below 1 ca, the price drops significantly, so that might be an option as well. Get a .9 and the finance can tell everyone its a 1ca
TL-S driver
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Springfield, NJ
I just got engaged and I bought her a $10k ring. I tell her sometimes that she's wearing my Acura because i was going to use that as a down payment on a new TL-S. I don't think there is a set rule on how much you spend, my fiance would have said yes to a $15 ring from the clearance section at Walmart. Get something nice but something reasonable. Good Luck and Congrats!!!
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Originally Posted by Nicky Pass
Why the fuck can't women buy us something big in order to to justify me buying a shiney rock. I say I get a whipple charger for my Cobra....she gets a ring....!
He put money away and gave me an engagement ring. Meanwhile, I'd also put money away and got him a new DSLR (a surprise).
He bought my wedding band. I bought his wedding band...whatever he wanted, custom made.
There ya go!
Fuct in the hed!
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Chicagoland-ish
Originally Posted by Street Spirit
I felt the same way. So....
He put money away and gave me an engagement ring. Meanwhile, I'd also put money away and got him a new DSLR (a surprise).
He bought my wedding band. I bought his wedding band...whatever he wanted, custom made.
There ya go!
He put money away and gave me an engagement ring. Meanwhile, I'd also put money away and got him a new DSLR (a surprise).
He bought my wedding band. I bought his wedding band...whatever he wanted, custom made.
There ya go!
.....but that whole "until DEATH do us part" thingy is what puts ice blocks on my feet!
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Originally Posted by Nicky Pass
Thats sounds good and all.....
.....but that whole "until DEATH do us part" thingy is what puts ice blocks on my feet!
.....but that whole "until DEATH do us part" thingy is what puts ice blocks on my feet!
I went looking a few weeks ago and my budget went up $1000 with in twenty minutes of being at the jewlery store. I went in thinking $4000 but saw how much more you can get with $5000, so that's what I'm shooting for now.
nnInn
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Originally Posted by tdhillon
i don't think theres a rule, but it depends on what you think she's like. I don't even know why its a diamond you have to get a woman, whatever happened to the other precious stones. I say, De Beers has done an amazing job brainwashing people.
Before the started mining diamonds in Africa, women didn't get anything for the engagement, her family did. But once the Diamond Industry started raping Africa for diamonds, they had nowhere to sell them. So they came up with a diamond engagement ring, to sell what they were mining and jack up the prices.
‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^›
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From: New York City
Sigh. What happened to receiving a dowry from the gal's family? You know, for guys to take the daughter off their hands? Couple heads of cattle, some furniture, an old cart? I would be more than happy to dispense my hard-earned cash on an engagement ring if I know that I'm getting something in return aside from flesh-and-blood ball-and-chain.
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Originally Posted by sasha
There is no requirement on the price of an engagement ring. It all boils down to how much you earn as a living and how much you are willing to spare for a ring, keeping in mind that you will still spend a lot of money on wedding, honeymoon, house, etc.. For example, a 1.5-carat F or IF diamond with D/E color worth 20-30k might be nothing to a millionaire, but a 1.0-carat VVS1/VVS2 diamond with F/G color worth 8-10k might be a burden to an Average Joe.
You also have to consider the size of the girl's finger and her taste in jewelry when determining the size. The price of the rock increases exponentially when you go from 0.75 (starting 5k) to 1.0 carat (around 10k), so you can get something a little bit smaller than 1.0 carat without paying so much. You also should start canvassing the difference in prices among various stores.
If you think you have found "the one", just start saving a few hundred dollars each month and within 1 year, you'll have the means to cover substantially the price of an engagement ring.
You also have to consider the size of the girl's finger and her taste in jewelry when determining the size. The price of the rock increases exponentially when you go from 0.75 (starting 5k) to 1.0 carat (around 10k), so you can get something a little bit smaller than 1.0 carat without paying so much. You also should start canvassing the difference in prices among various stores.
If you think you have found "the one", just start saving a few hundred dollars each month and within 1 year, you'll have the means to cover substantially the price of an engagement ring.
Recently bought my GF a Tiffany Novo 1.18-carat VVS1 color F ring when I visited Bellevue. The ring was a bit more than what I was originally ready to purchase. However, after alot of deliberation and thought, I also realized that she is the one who'll be for me...She's stuck with me through a lot of my toughest times and is really devoted to me.
So, at the end of the day, a ring means nothing to me. It's a shiny little thing that a person puts on a finger that does absolutely nothing. But, I know it'll mean something to her and if that makes her very happy, I'm happy. Just like how she'll never truly understand how I could dump thousands into toy robots or high-end clothing, she at last supports it and realizes that's what makes me happy.
Money is money. You make it to use it.
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From: CRY, CRY SOME MORE!
Hope I don't offend anyone here but if I read this thread correctly we have some very rich people driving some average 30K luxury cars.
Since I'm admittedly not rich, self made yet financially very stable and with a mortgage:
Once the g/f shows you a setting she likes, it's simply a matter of where you want to spend the money.
Wedding could run you thousands upon thousands of dollars depending on family sizes, etc. A honeymoon could run you another 10K+ so I take all 3 events most likely occuring in the next 2 years or under and come up with a total EXCEPT I price it from the wedding, then ring, then honeymoon.
Wedding: 80K
Honeymoon: 10K
Ring: 10K
Ok so if you predict needing 100K (w/out help from family) are you in a financial position to have that available for the whole thing?
Ring: 5K
Honeymoon 5K
Wedding 90K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Honeymoon 10K
Ring 20K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Ring 10K
Honeymoon 20K
To me it's about seeing where the money is being spent and what's most important to you and her. Don't be afraid to be somewhat upfront w/ your future fiancee about where you think the $$ will go. If your strong enough of a couple you both could figure out where to put the cash so it makes the most sense to your overall satisfaction.
Since I'm admittedly not rich, self made yet financially very stable and with a mortgage:
Once the g/f shows you a setting she likes, it's simply a matter of where you want to spend the money.
Wedding could run you thousands upon thousands of dollars depending on family sizes, etc. A honeymoon could run you another 10K+ so I take all 3 events most likely occuring in the next 2 years or under and come up with a total EXCEPT I price it from the wedding, then ring, then honeymoon.
Wedding: 80K
Honeymoon: 10K
Ring: 10K
Ok so if you predict needing 100K (w/out help from family) are you in a financial position to have that available for the whole thing?
Ring: 5K
Honeymoon 5K
Wedding 90K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Honeymoon 10K
Ring 20K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Ring 10K
Honeymoon 20K
To me it's about seeing where the money is being spent and what's most important to you and her. Don't be afraid to be somewhat upfront w/ your future fiancee about where you think the $$ will go. If your strong enough of a couple you both could figure out where to put the cash so it makes the most sense to your overall satisfaction.
The Boss
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: New Jack City
Originally Posted by eclipse23
Hope I don't offend anyone here but if I read this thread correctly we have some very rich people driving some average 30K luxury cars.
Since I'm admittedly not rich, self made yet financially very stable and with a mortgage:
Once the g/f shows you a setting she likes, it's simply a matter of where you want to spend the money.
Wedding could run you thousands upon thousands of dollars depending on family sizes, etc. A honeymoon could run you another 10K+ so I take all 3 events most likely occuring in the next 2 years or under and come up with a total EXCEPT I price it from the wedding, then ring, then honeymoon.
Wedding: 80K
Honeymoon: 10K
Ring: 10K
Ok so if you predict needing 100K (w/out help from family) are you in a financial position to have that available for the whole thing?
Ring: 5K
Honeymoon 5K
Wedding 90K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Honeymoon 10K
Ring 20K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Ring 10K
Honeymoon 20K
To me it's about seeing where the money is being spent and what's most important to you and her. Don't be afraid to be somewhat upfront w/ your future fiancee about where you think the $$ will go. If your strong enough of a couple you both could figure out where to put the cash so it makes the most sense to your overall satisfaction.
Since I'm admittedly not rich, self made yet financially very stable and with a mortgage:
Once the g/f shows you a setting she likes, it's simply a matter of where you want to spend the money.
Wedding could run you thousands upon thousands of dollars depending on family sizes, etc. A honeymoon could run you another 10K+ so I take all 3 events most likely occuring in the next 2 years or under and come up with a total EXCEPT I price it from the wedding, then ring, then honeymoon.
Wedding: 80K
Honeymoon: 10K
Ring: 10K
Ok so if you predict needing 100K (w/out help from family) are you in a financial position to have that available for the whole thing?
Ring: 5K
Honeymoon 5K
Wedding 90K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Honeymoon 10K
Ring 20K
What does that get you?
Wedding 70K
Ring 10K
Honeymoon 20K
To me it's about seeing where the money is being spent and what's most important to you and her. Don't be afraid to be somewhat upfront w/ your future fiancee about where you think the $$ will go. If your strong enough of a couple you both could figure out where to put the cash so it makes the most sense to your overall satisfaction.
When I proposed, I spent about $9000 on the engagement ring. Because it was a name brand, the ring was pretty tiny. Our honeymoon consisted the tour of asia and europe and that cost about $25k. Our wedding was big but it was under 50k. The whole ordeal was under 90k but alot of it was with the help of her parents and mine.
Yesterday marked our 8 years of knowning each other so I upgraded her ring to a bigger size and forked out a new BMW 6 series on the ring and needless to say she won't get to wear it much. This was something I couldn't do it initially but now I could
Engineer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,525
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From: Boston
i don't even have a gf right now but i have started saving up for the whole ring/wedding/honeymoon... i know my parents won't be able to help me out too much, although they want to...
I also won't expect anything from her parents, because they could be in the same boat as mine, but if I do get anything I would consider it a great bonus...
my problem is I am also Armenian, which means really big/crazy wedding...
I also won't expect anything from her parents, because they could be in the same boat as mine, but if I do get anything I would consider it a great bonus...
my problem is I am also Armenian, which means really big/crazy wedding...
Earth-bound misfit
Joined: Mar 2006
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I don't think there is a price you "should" spend on the ring. In fact the question itself kind of makes me cringe. When my husband started talking about marriage & rings, we were in college & I didn't want him spending all his savings on the ring. I gave him a no-bigger-than size.
On the flip-side I have a friend whose husband bought her a >1ct VVS 1, D color ring set in platinum, that she tried to send back for a larger, more expensive one.
I had to talk her out of being such a stupid cow.
I agree with those who have implied that if she's too hung up on the size of the ring or the amount spent, she needs to re-prioritize.
On the flip-side I have a friend whose husband bought her a >1ct VVS 1, D color ring set in platinum, that she tried to send back for a larger, more expensive one.
I had to talk her out of being such a stupid cow.I agree with those who have implied that if she's too hung up on the size of the ring or the amount spent, she needs to re-prioritize.
Crabcakes and Football!!!
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From: Everywhere on the East Coast
Originally Posted by Nicky Pass
Why the fuck can't women buy us something big in order to to justify me buying a shiney rock. I say I get a whipple charger for my Cobra....she gets a ring....
Senior Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169,116
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Originally Posted by wndrlst
I don't think there is a price you "should" spend on the ring. In fact the question itself kind of makes me cringe. When my husband started talking about marriage & rings, we were in college & I didn't want him spending all his savings on the ring. I gave him a no-bigger-than size.
On the flip-side I have a friend whose husband bought her a >1ct VVS 1, D color ring set in platinum, that she tried to send back for a larger, more expensive one. I had to talk her out of being such a stupid cow.
I agree with those who have implied that if she's too hung up on the size of the ring or the amount spent, she needs to re-prioritize.
On the flip-side I have a friend whose husband bought her a >1ct VVS 1, D color ring set in platinum, that she tried to send back for a larger, more expensive one.
I had to talk her out of being such a stupid cow.I agree with those who have implied that if she's too hung up on the size of the ring or the amount spent, she needs to re-prioritize.
Registered but harmless
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by michimonster
I think men deserve an engagement gift too if the female can afford it. Why not? I mean the guys are engaged as well. Its not a one way street
By Matchbox.
Three Wheelin'
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From: NOVA-Northern Va.
Originally Posted by michimonster
I think men deserve an engagement gift too if the female can afford it. Why not? I mean the guys are engaged as well. Its not a one way street
Wanna get hitched? I wouldnt mind a gift
Thread Starter
John Starks - The Dunk
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From: NYC
Originally Posted by michimonster
I think men deserve an engagement gift too if the female can afford it. Why not? I mean the guys are engaged as well. Its not a one way street
if you only knew...
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From: wherever I wanna be. or, somewhere else.
Originally Posted by savage
i don't even have a gf right now but i have started saving up for the whole ring/wedding/honeymoon... i know my parents won't be able to help me out too much, although they want to...
I also won't expect anything from her parents, because they could be in the same boat as mine, but if I do get anything I would consider it a great bonus...
my problem is I am also Armenian, which means really big/crazy wedding...
I also won't expect anything from her parents, because they could be in the same boat as mine, but if I do get anything I would consider it a great bonus...
my problem is I am also Armenian, which means really big/crazy wedding...
Moderator Alumnus
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From: CRY, CRY SOME MORE!
Originally Posted by michiamo
Just some advice - if you're paying for the wedding, nobody else has any right to expect anything from you. If you're as financially strapped as you say, perhaps you'd be better off using the money you are able to save for a home that you can pay a mortgage on. I've seen too many people spend all sorts of $$$ on a wedding, then live in a rented apt. for years while they save for a house. IMO this is foolish. Buy her a decent ring, have a nice honeymoon, and don't worry too much about what's in between, it's just not worth it.
Exactly.
Mutual discussion, honesty and realism about 'where you are' will yield the best results.
It's supposed to be the greatest day of your life (next to childbirth) I think alot of couples go about getting married foolishly.
Banned
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From: मुंबई, भारत
Pull_T's General Rule:
If you didn't spend enough on the engagement ring, fuck the broad, ditch her, and feel glad you didn't take a larger bath unloading the jewlery wholesale. If she doesn't well up with tears and a "yes" even with a Froot Loop around her finger fuck the bitch and kick her to the curb.
The alternate answer is:
If you don't know both yourself and your future bride well enough to know what a suitable engagement ring will be.....then try to understand yourself and/or her better before leaping into an engagement.
If you didn't spend enough on the engagement ring, fuck the broad, ditch her, and feel glad you didn't take a larger bath unloading the jewlery wholesale. If she doesn't well up with tears and a "yes" even with a Froot Loop around her finger fuck the bitch and kick her to the curb.
The alternate answer is:
If you don't know both yourself and your future bride well enough to know what a suitable engagement ring will be.....then try to understand yourself and/or her better before leaping into an engagement.
The hair says it all
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From: Manhattan, NYC
Originally Posted by michiamo
Just some advice - if you're paying for the wedding, nobody else has any right to expect anything from you. If you're as financially strapped as you say, perhaps you'd be better off using the money you are able to save for a home that you can pay a mortgage on. I've seen too many people spend all sorts of $$$ on a wedding, then live in a rented apt. for years while they save for a house. IMO this is foolish. Buy her a decent ring, have a nice honeymoon, and don't worry too much about what's in between, it's just not worth it.
with this more than what I even said
Money is funny.
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From: King of Prussia, PA
I spent 12k on it...and she never wears it...so unless she is there and loves the ring to death, spend wat you have to. It's kinda frustrating seeing this 12k ring I spent a lot of heart and time in finding and having made, and then she wears it on the wedding day and thats it...
Registered but harmless
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by poohlikeshunny
It's kinda frustrating seeing this 12k ring I spent a lot of heart and time in finding and having made, and then she wears it on the wedding day and thats it...
BJ's e-wife wouldn't wear a ring because she was a doctor and would have to pull gloves over them every day on their e-life.
Actually, I have a buddy who is a real-life surgeon who doesn't wear rings for that reason.My wife wears the engagement ring on the most random days, but much more often than I expected, so the ring's cost over time is reduced by amortization per use.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 73
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From: los angeles
go to blockbuster and rent "Blood Diamond"...
then, discuss the tragic consequences of supporting the diamond industry and point out facts on Wikipedia...
then go and buy her a ring without diamonds, pocket the extra cash...and save it for a down-payment on your first house with her...
everyone wins...and you give you future family a head start....
on a serious note, get her what you can afford and dont skimp out...just dont feel pressured to buy her more than you can afford becuase your best friend or her best friend had huge rings at engagement...and do your research!!! that in and of itself will save you a ton...be careful of name brands too...way too much mark-up...
congrats and good luck
then, discuss the tragic consequences of supporting the diamond industry and point out facts on Wikipedia...
then go and buy her a ring without diamonds, pocket the extra cash...and save it for a down-payment on your first house with her...
everyone wins...and you give you future family a head start....
on a serious note, get her what you can afford and dont skimp out...just dont feel pressured to buy her more than you can afford becuase your best friend or her best friend had huge rings at engagement...and do your research!!! that in and of itself will save you a ton...be careful of name brands too...way too much mark-up...
congrats and good luck
Money is funny.
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From: King of Prussia, PA
Originally Posted by TSX CSI
I got engaged last month, and I ended up spending 12K on the ring. Total weight 2 carats, 3 stones. .5c side stones and a 1c center stone (G, vvs1). All in a platinum trellis setting.
Will Y...hahaha...no bustedjack here...but my wife doesn't wear the ring because she doesn't like anything else on her finger except the wedding band. She says it gets in the way too often...