Engagement Rings

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

I'm curious about something: How does a guy decide how much to spend on an engagement ring? Is it based on a certain percent of his income? Is there such a thing as "paying too little" for a ring?

Just wondering what you people thought someone should spend on an engagement ring.....

 

[MN John]

Well, there are some standards set that say it should be based on his income. But in my case, I would say that I will spend "whatever it takes" to get ring that she will like. I will try to get the best deal that I can, but I'll spend whatever is required.

I think that a couple should communicate enough to know what would be acceptable to one another.

 

[ChildOfGod20]

i've heard stuff like one month's salary or two month's salary but honestly i think its silly to spend so much on a ring. i told him he better not spend more than $800 cause we could use that money for something much more useful.

 

[CarrierOfChrist]

Well, IMO, I don't think that guys should spend a whole lot of money on a ring, but I guess it's really up to them. I wouldn't want someone to spend a lot of money on me. I don't really care what the size of the diamond is or anything like that.

I have some friends who say that they expect to get at least a 1 CT. diamond when their boyfriends propose to them. I had another friend who had her boyfriend return the ring because it wasn't what she wanted. This is all very superficial to me. The love in which the ring is given, is far more important to me personally. It is a symbol of something far greater.

I feel the same way about the wedding. Too many people get too caught up in making it a "perfect" day and spending loads of money on everything. The most important part of the wedding is the ceramony. Everything else is relative...people could "brown bag" it for all I care (lol). Most of your money should be spent on a down payment on a house or for the honeymoon. Some people spend ridiculous amounts on their wedding and it isn't necessary.

Sorry...I went off on a tangent

 

[JesusWasn'tWhite]

A couple thousand.
I think a guy should pay for the ring with cash. None of this financing stuff. I mean, what's good about when you're married, getting a bill from the jeweler and having to pay a certain amount per month. What if the husband isn't working at the time? It's like the wife paying for her own ring. That ain't right.

Some girls care, some don't. It's all in their personality. I don't think women need to be super extravagant, or expect a $10,000 ring. But I figure, my boyfriend currently makes (earns, pre-expenses, bills, etc.) about $600/week. That's why I let him buy my coffee or dinner when we go out; he can afford it. I also think that a man who makes $2400+ a month, can afford to buy a really nice ring. I want something that's going to handle like 60-70 years of marriage, life, wear, tear, etc. We've already established that it will be platinum, not gold or white gold. And he also wants a platinum band as well, it's a mutual thing.
So.. like someone already said, *Communication*... within reason.

 

[Iceman_Aragorn]

I don't think there should be an expectation of the PRICE of the ring, except where the guy simply doesn't have the income to afford a pricey ring. Personally, when I get married, all I'll want is to get the exact ring my SO wants (yet without her knowing I got it). I know she loves ring shopping, and I'm sure I could get her sister to point out exactly what she wants, and I'm also sure that she'd be taking price into account...she wouldn't want me to spend a ton of money on her, should an engagement become imminent.

 

[Leanna]

Whatever he buys make sure you guys don't start out in debt. We have friends that are still paying on her engagement ring and they're married for 1 1/2 years and that's kinda dumb IMO. My husband *did* take out a loan but paid it in three months, he had 6 months no interest. That is just how he chose to do it, and it built our credit too. My ring was 3000 dollars and I think that is a good amount of money myself. Its a really nice ring, one I can be happy with for 75 years. That's what really matters.... make sure its one you will like for years to come.

 

[Leanna]

Well, IMO, I don't think that guys should spend a whole lot of money on a ring, but I guess it's really up to them. I wouldn't want someone to spend a lot of money on me. I don't really care what the size of the diamond is or anything like that.

I have some friends who say that they expect to get at least a 1 CT. diamond when their boyfriends propose to them. I had another friend who had her boyfriend return the ring because it wasn't what she wanted. This is all very superficial to me. The love in which the ring is given, is far more important to me personally. It is a symbol of something far greater.

I feel the same way about the wedding. Too many people get too caught up in making it a "perfect" day and spending loads of money on everything. The most important part of the wedding is the ceramony. Everything else is relative...people could "brown bag" it for all I care (lol). Most of your money should be spent on a down payment on a house or for the honeymoon. Some people spend ridiculous amounts on their wedding and it isn't necessary.

Sorry...I went off on a tangent

My ring is not one carat, but it is next to perfect quality. (clarity and color) My husband picked it out on his own and surprised me and lucky for me he has good taste.

While I do not agree on the ring because you will wear it every day for the rest of your life and thousands of people will want to see it, so I think it should be nice, I do agree on the wedding. It is just one day. No one cares about my wedding after 6 years of marriage, but they still look at my ring.

 

[CarrierOfChrist]

My ring is not one carat, but it is next to perfect quality. (clarity and color) My husband picked it out on his own and surprised me and lucky for me he has good taste.

While I do not agree on the ring because you will wear it every day for the rest of your life and thousands of people will want to see it, so I think it should be nice, I do agree on the wedding. It is just one day. No one cares about my wedding after 6 years of marriage, but they still look at my ring.

Yeah, I'm not concerned with what people will think of my wedding ring (if I get married) or wether they want to see it over the years. I know that if I ever get engaged, that the ring will pale in comparison to the person and the love in which it was given. I hope that if I get married, that people at least remember the ceremony.

I hope that you and your husband can be good examples and the light of Christ to others throughout your marriage. God bless

 

[Leanna]

Yeah, I'm not concerned with what people will think of my wedding ring (if I get married) or wether they want to see it over the years. I know that if I ever get engaged, that the ring will pale in comparison to the person and the love in which it was given. I hope that if I get married, that people at least remember the ceremony.

I hope that you and your husband can be good examples and the light of Christ to others throughout your marriage. God bless

Yes do what seems right to you.

My husband went to university with a bunch of future pastors (his major was Pastoral Ministries) and I can tell you my ring was pretty much the smallest.

I am very happy with the way it went though, he surprised me with a ring a lot bigger than I ever thought I would have. I was "wowed"

 

[seamonster]

My husband and I decided to use my mom's engagement ring. We were only engaged for two months, so he went all-out and got me a very nice wedding ring. My mom felt special and included because we asked to use her engagement ring.

 

[Hediru]

For me, there is no such thing as a ring that costs too little unless the ring itself screams, "cheap!" Personally, I want something simple, yet pretty. A few hundred dollars should do it. 10K gold with a small stone just big enough for it to be seen would be fine by me. Spending exorbiant amonts of $ is wasteful in my opinion when the $ could be used for something more important.

 

[wiggsfly]

My father and I don't get along in a lot of areas, but he made my mother's engagement ring out of a bolt. That is something I totally respect and I would like to find a way to make my gf a ring.

I agree it isn't the price that counts, but the gesture and the love between too people that is most important.

 

[Hediru]

Anyone ever notice how much emphasis our society places on one piece of jewelry? Technically, we don't need any rings to get married. But us girls still want one. I had to read a very interesting book for a college sociology class called "White Weddings." Very interesting view of the wedding industry and its impact on the world. I recommend everyone reading it. It really is an eye opening experience and makes you realize how superficial a lot of stuff about weddings are. I'm not saying I agree with everything in the book, but I still think its got some valid points.

 

[FaithfulServant]

How much he spends on the ring isn't as important as how long it will last and whether you like it or not. If you think the ring is pretty, then thats all that matters, no one else has to know how much it costs (unless they are rude and ask lol)

 

[NewCovenant]

I have to agree with Hediru. I'm IN the wedding industry. I'm a wedding planner & officiant. Your average (and I mean AVERAGE, not high-end) wedding runs $20k. That doesn't include the engagement ring. My specialty has been value-priced ceremonies and receptions. Couples can cut about 75% of the cost of their wedding by doing a lot of the work themselves, shopping properly, and pricing well, and NO ONE in the wedding industry wants you to know that. (Drop me a note when you're ready, I'll show you how to do it for free.) As far as rings are concerned, careful shopping is key. There are some good ways to save money on rings. Avoiding financing, NOT shopping in the malls, and comparison shopping with prices IN WRITING are important. Also, having a pre-set budget is important.

 

[Leanna]

Whew... my wedding cost 3000 dollars.... it was simple and for us not everyone else.