How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

[theywhosowintears]

I think LOTS and LOTS!

lol... my girlfriend is the one telling me not to spend so much!


I have still got a few weeks of saving to reach my target but it's worth the wait...Besides she is going to wear it for the rest of her life.

Anyway...ideas comments, thoughts...


This whole marriage thing is expensive...rings, wedding, honeymoon, housing etc... I am sure it is worth it though.


peace

 

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

$800-1100

Edit: I want to get her an emerald because she likes green. What say you ladies?

 

[Quantum_Man]

There is no set rule that you have to spend X amount of money on the ring. You buy what you can afford and whatever kind of rock she wants. Some girls don't care for diamonds.

 

[KristianJ]

I wouldn't consider any set amount either...even if I was well off enough to afford something ritzy, it's just a symbol. Besides, when you do consider the costs that will be involved between the engagement and the wedding day, it might be wise to balance the value of the object with the value of the engagement itself and not spend any more than is necessary.

 

[theywhosowintears]

I am spending about 1/10 of what I earn in a year....

In some cultures (like in japan) you spend a whole years wage.

It is important to me to get the best that I can, I think that is what is important... the wedding ring is generally pretty simple but the engagement ring is what her friends look at lol.

Anyhow... what other things cost too much? I know our honeymoon is going to cost a fair bit... probably $5000 ish. In fact between getting married and laying down a bit of a deposit on a house I'll be up for about $18,000 (I can get first home owners though * an Australian benefit that helps ppl to buy property, Govt. pays $7500 deposit for you)

 

[KristianJ]

It is important to me to get the best that I can, I think that is what is important... the wedding ring is generally pretty simple but the engagement ring is what her friends look at lol.

I've never truly understood the reason why women get so excited about engagement rings... But in the end it all boils down to what your budget is, whilst also being wise to save for the big purchases such as those you've mentioned

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I think it's a personal decision, based on what you can afford - never EVER go into debt over one.

For us, B plans on spending about 10% of his yearly wage on my ring - I don't expect it, but he wants to...

I think you just have to work it out for yourself, know what you can afford to pay, and don't budge.

So, that either means buying a big ring of poorer quality, or a smaller ring of great quality... You get what you pay for in the end!

Sasch

 

[peanutbutter12]

Buy what you can afford, don't over extend yourself. It's not a ring they are marrying, it's the person. Keep in mind you also have a wedding/honeymoon/rent after marry/etc to pay for as well...

We pass our engagment rings down through generations, so it's worth comes from age and unique design.

CJ

 

[invisiblebabe]

My fiance didn't spend a whole lot. One, we figure it's better to invest in things that'll be more useful to our marriage (ie, paying rent). Two, I have tiny hands and a huge rock would look incredibly tacky (and fake) on me!

The official engagement ring is real gold and diamonds though The one I'm wearing now 'til he comes up with an elaborate proposal and stuff.... it's sterling silver and it's still really pretty I love it 'cause it's from him!

 

[LiberatedChick]

Spend what you can afford...at the end of the day it's just a ring, no need to break the bank. My husband spent about £100 on my ring and I love it. He spent about 10% of what his monthly salary is now but at the time neither of us were working and so he spent what he could afford.

 

[Holdinfourth]

Whatever you do, make sure you research the purchasing process. You can go one place and the price will be extremely high, go somewhere else and find the same ring for 1/3 of the price. Definately shop around, and do not be afraid to barter with the salesman/woman. Also, I know it sounds kind of tacky, bu take a look in the classified section of you newspaper or a pawn shop. I know for fact that the devil had been engaged a few times before we started dating and had quite an extensive selection of rings she sold via ebay, and classifieds. Just to clarify the devil = my ex girlfriend.

 

[peanutbutter12]

I know for fact that the devil had been engaged a few times before we started dating and had quite an extensive selection of rings she sold via ebay, and classifieds. Just to clarify the devil = my ex girlfriend.

Hope you got your ring back.

CJ

 

[Holdinfourth]

didnt even get a chance to give it to her. Bought it Friday and she broke up with me Saturday. I had no clue it was coming.

 

[LiberatedChick]

Awww

 

[peanutbutter12]

That stinks, mate. Sorry to hear.

CJ

 

[lozzie]

$800-1100

Edit: I want to get her an emerald because she likes green. What say you ladies?

Sounds alright I guess Just make sure that she doesnt want a diamond ring or anything first.

I guess I'm just a traditionalist when it comes to engagement rings. I want a diamond. lol... like cubic zirconias, i like clear stones.

I dont think you should be excessive in your spending... and would never pay full price for anything from a jewellery shop! since you can get something far nicer within your targeted spending range when they have their sales... which are pretty frequent. I wouldn't own any of my more expensive stuff if it werent for those "sales""

My mums ring actually had the stone taken from an old ring they brought at a pawn shop, and dad's friend had a hobby making jewellery so he made it for them using the stone.

but yeah... a ring isn't the be all and end all... cause at the end of the day its just a symbol. I think sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to even be able to spend money on luxury items like rings and stuff.

 

[vinc]

In case of Ring and other marital expenses,

Spend only to the extent you can afford to without over-burdening yourself financially.

There is no lower or upper limit in this. Spend within your budget and according to your financial stability.

 

[halifaxhoney]

The engagement ring I want is actually very inexpensive. It's $299.00 plus tax.

My boyfriend thinks that more should be spent but it's the ring I want. I'd be upset if he got me anything else!

 

[Hewitt]

The engagement ring I want is actually very inexpensive. It's $299.00 plus tax.

My boyfriend thinks that more should be spent but it's the ring I want. I'd be upset if he got me anything else!

Almost exactly like my girlfriend. Confuses me up one side and down the other, but she likes the cheap rings.

 

[Inperfected]

Mine? I have no idea... heh i don't have one yet... I know I'm going to be proposed to at some point, but as to when I don't know... However from what i gather we are goign in together to get it after he proposes, so he gets the right ring size, and becuase of our dislike of ones catching... so yes... I'll tel you if i get one