2 month''s salary...

[fullhead]

I realize that''s an old saying and not really a guideline... But, just out of curiousity - do most people interpret that as gross salary or net (before taxes or take home pay?).

 

[Daniela]

It's not even really an old saying. It's a saying made up by Debeers to make you spend more money. In fact, the "old saying" used to be one month's salary, and then they upped it.

Anyway, to answer your question, when people say "two months' salary", they are probably talking gross.

I say spend what you can afford, period, unless having a whopping rock is a really, really huge deal to your girlfriend (and some people might jump down my throat for even making that concession--not many folks around here are for going into debt for a ring).

Daniela

 

[researcher]

I told my B/F (at the time) that it meant 2 months expected future salary! LOL

Seriously, the whole "how much money you need to spend" is silly. Most people spend between 1-3 months salary, depending on their expenses and debt. What it really boils down to is how much you can afford to spend. My then B/F wanted to get me something really amazing even though it was more on the 3-month salary range because we know our incomes will be steadily increasing. Just figure out a range (top and bottom) that you feel good about, and then begin your search. Don't get stuck on how much people spend. An e-ring is a symbol of your love and commitment, and that means more than anything. As much as girls talk about their love for diamonds (me being one of them) I could have been given the tiniest diamond in the world and would have been happy because I am completely in love with my guy. However, I must admit the big diamond is a nice perk!

 

[fullhead]

I inked the check for the rock today - was really just curious. And girls, don't be fooled... Guys have as much pride in your ring as you do. Least they should - that's 1 to 3 months of their life going into putting it on that finger!

 

[SFDavey]

Personally, I spent 1 month's TAKE HOME for my gals diamond. I paid in CASH. This was not HUGE sums of money, but it was sufficient (and CASH) to get me a very nice stone. I am pleased, but more importantly, SHE was VERY pleased with the stone she is now sporting.

We have a friendly deal going on now:
That first diamond is good for two kids (which she wants anyways so it's a wash)

Next diamond will be twice as big, and is for a third child,

NEXT diamond will be twice again as big for a fourth child,

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[researcher]

I would have to disagree with you--my guy's a bit embarrassed/hesitant to tell people about my ring! He says he'll never get a raise if people see the size of my diamond! I think he would have been happy with a smaller stone, but he knew I was in love with the one I got and therefore wanted to please me.

So what stone and setting did you get?

 

[MustangGal]

My original e-ring and wedding set was my hubby's saved tips for a almost a year (he put them all in a box under his bed!). He was also working part time, and just 20 years old. My "upgrade" was actually the same price, but with a sim in the middle for now. If it were real, it would have been about 2 months, but as a sim, it was about 1 weeks! I'll get the real stone someday. He also likes my rings, even though he was a little put off about the upgrade at first. My brother in law spent about 2 months on his, and then the wedding band was anoth 1/2 month. You gotta think about that part of it too!

 

[fullhead]

I went with this one, in a plat setting w/2 side stones - also princess, .42. It came out nice - i think the prongs on the center are too think, but we'll work it out. I think she'll be pleased. but then, she said she'd be pleased with a cracker jack ring at this point.

Princess
6.38x6.21x4.28
1.50
f/vs2
dep: 68.9
tab: 72
gird: Med to V Thick
cul: none
Polish: X
Sym: VG
Flur: None

Definately glad I went with an F.

It's funny - while shopping, various conversations came up with the jewelers about who a man is trying to please with his selection. The gammit ran from of course the girl, himself and his girl's friends. Given she made the cracker jack comment multiple times, I'd say it'd be a tie between my trying to please her and me.

 

[Greentree]

Heh, heh. Reminds of the guy who asked the preacher, "If a tithe is 10% of income, is that gross income or net income?"

Whatever amount you decide upon, one thing to remember is diamond jewelry is a luxury. You shouldn't buy jewelry with money that is really needed to pay bills. You shouldn't borrow money to buy jewelry either. If you can't pay cash for it, you can't afford it.

Looking at it this way, the two months rule is sort of irrelevant. The amount you spend depends on your income, your regular expenses, your savings, and how much or how little diamonds turn you on.

 

[fullhead]

Yeah - I like that one. "if you can't pay in cash, you can't afford it". You should copyright that.

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 6/24/2004 7:28:24 PM fullhead wrote:

And girls, don't be fooled....Guys have as much pride in your ring as you do----------------

I agree, but I don't think that equates to having to spend ridiculous amounts of money on what is essentially a luxury item.

Having pride in her ring and spending modestly are not mutually exclusive of one another.

 

[kevinng]

I spent less than 2x net... but my diamond costs at least 2x gross if bought in a B&M store. All thanks to this site and GoG!

 

[pearcrazy]

I think the whole "2 months salary" thing is a load of crap. Debeers sat down and figured what the average American makes in a month and then thought doubling it would have every one shelling out a load of money. First figure out what she wants (if she knows you well enough to marry you, then she knows what you make and makes her choice accordingly) and then see what you feel comfortable spending. My boyfriend (now husband of 13 years) spent less than one months salary. He had a budget of only $2000 for a ring. (We're talking in 1991) Fine with me, I didn't want him going into debt (that I would share once we got married). We were both pretty clueless about diamonds and how much they cost. We actually ended up finding my ring at an upscale pawn/consignment shop for less than $1200. Gorgeous .54 pear shaped diamond that was already set in 6 prong 18K gold tiffany setting. G color SI1. Sparkled like crazy, we saw it from across the room. Size 4.5. Just perfect, didn't even need sizing. It's like it was made for me. He was happy, I was VERY happy and we had $800 dollars that went towards a super honeymoon in Cancun. He always told me that one day when he could afford it we'd upgrade. I never really cared to upgrade until recently. Two houses, 4 automobiles and 3 kids later, I finally got my 1.12 carat pear. I don't ever want anything bigger. I feel like my upgrade is more of a symbol of our enduring love, our precious children and the life we've made together. I'm going to set the .54 into a pendant that I can give our daughter when she's old enough to take care of it.

A diamond is only a symbol of your love, the size of it has nothing to do with the size of your love. One of my best friends just re-married to an orthopedic surgeon. Her choice? A .60 point G color SI1 round diamond bezel set with small sapphires along side. That's what she wanted even though he certainly could have afforded some kind of rock and offered to buy her as such. Nope, that's what she wanted. She's happy, he's happy that she's happy and hopefully everyone lives happily ever after.

 

[Pair0Ducks]

The two months salary marketing ploy isn't even set in stone. DeBeers did their market research and found that in Japan it was better to push "three months salary" while Europe only has "one month salary". It's 100% total marketing.

This info comes from "Diamond: A Journey into the Heart of an Obsession" by Matthew Hart. An interesting read. I enjoyed it.

Link to the book

 

[JC]

Spend what you can on what she likes. It's that simple. Good luck.

 

[Mara]

hmm if you are the girl it means "2 months GROSS+any savings he has"...if you are the guy it means "2 months NET after fun things like software games and new car wheels".

well...in reality, neither really, buy what makes you feel comfortable and you can afford.

 

[sfanta123155]

With regards to the 2 months salary thing and all that I was most fortunate to make several big scores at a casino so
I spent some of the money on a really great ring for my wife. It was an upgrade and almost 3.25 carats E color ideal cut AGS0 stone. We both love it and thanks to the casino...

 

[RingHunt]

My opinion:

One needs to look how the purchase will balance in with other future family spending goals.

It's a sin to borrow money for the diamond.

This physical symbol should be keep for whole marriage if possible.

The physical symbol does need to be a diamond.

This is capitalist made culture, you can make up your own rules, and family traditions.

So .25 or 1 or 2 or 3 months? Only you can answer that.

Paul

 

[foundnemo]

I used to think it's NET 2-months pay, i.e. after taxes/401k/ESPP/mortgage/utilities/insurance/ etc. After all, if you don't have the $$$ to take home then how can you spend it?

I'm sure DeBeers would like people to think it's GROSS salary!

But, when it came to my e-ring, we didn't follow guidelines and just went with our heart.

 

[Rank Amateur]

----------------
On 6/24/2004 7:51:56 PM Greentree wrote:

Heh, heh. Reminds of the guy who asked the preacher, 'If a tithe is 10% of income, is that gross income or net income?'

----------------

Right on Greentree!

A guy who used to be my neighbor let his accountant (who was a member of the same somewhat goofy church) tell him what his "tithe" really was. I think he said she justified calling about 4% a "tithe". Too funny.


Just as the tithing answer is between you and your God, the $$ to spend on a diamond is between you and your mate.


For me, I paid cash. We got engaged before I had my degree and a job, so I guess the # of months in my case would be infinity!

I paid the same amount (cash) for a car as for the ring at about the same time. My wife always knew that she is tied for first place in my heart with my car.

 

[Rank Amateur]

It's a sin to borrow for a diamond and the symbol needs to be a diamond? What?

Let me guess, you're in the trade...

 

[RingHunt]

"The physical symbol does need to be a diamond."

That's petty funny, I said that wrong!

I don't think it needs to be a diamond. I say that, but I could not get away with giving my fiancée a tanzanite. Paul

 

[limey]

----------------
On 6/25/2004 3:45:01 PM sfanta123155 wrote:

With regards to the 2 months salary thing and all that I was most fortunate to make several big scores at a casino so

I spent some of the money on a really great ring for my wife. It was an upgrade and almost 3.25 carats E color ideal cut AGS0 stone. We both love it and thanks to the casino...----------------

Chow Chow's, casino's, chubb and large exaggerated stones. Hmmmm. welcome back ChowChow99 / ClosingTheDeal who who ever you claim to be.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/anniversary-stone.14493/

 

[sfanta123155]

Limey. What is it that you are trying to get at here? I'm truly not sure. Are you saying that I DID NOT buy my wife
a 3+ carat stone or that I DID NOT buy a somewhat large stone and put it in a Titanium tension setting made by Bruce Boone? Are you trying to say I'm lying? Please tell me exactly what the hell your trying to say and insulting me!
Well why don't we do this...I just spoke to a friend of mine and he can produce the pictures and documents to prove what I just said and send you a copy of such documents.
Why don't we make it interesting? Do you have a favorite charity? Well let's say we put up $5,000 each and whoever is wrong donates the $5K to the other person's favorite charity in that person's name. My favorite charity is the ASPCA...What's yours? I'm all in. Are you going to call or drop?

 

[Mara]

hmm limey I don't agree with you on this one being corvette/closingthedeal/chowchow...sfanta seems to be legit with his 1.6c stone and titanium posts, see his 'topics' ...and if he is just trolling...his posts are detailed and coherent enough to seem foolish to waste that much time. i'd rather deal with coherent trolls than 15 year old phd-owning gals anyday... at least their grammar is acceptable. heheee.

 

[sfanta123155]

Mara. I didn't know that I needed your stamp of approval on this board. Yes I am very coherent. Who exactly do you think you are talking down to? Some incoherent troll?
You have some nerve! Since when were you blessed to be God almighty?

 

[limey]

----------------
On 6/26/2004 2:08:21 PM sfanta123155 wrote:

Limey. What is it that you are trying to get at here? I'm truly not sure.
----------------

I said what I said, seems to me you are the same person. If not then you are from a parallel universe. Money from a casino used to buy a 3+ ct diamond for an anniversary about 2-3 months ago, a very strong opinion on chubb, owner of ChowChow's and probably a corvette and big TV, established your login a few days after the last thread-o-fun.

Are you saying that I DID NOT buy my wife

a 3+ carat stone or that I DID NOT buy a somewhat large stone and put it in a Titanium tension setting made by Bruce Boone?
----------------

No I am not saying that. ChowChow99 purchased the diamond for your wife for your 20th anniversary. Remember. Edited: ooops, my bad, how could I get it wrong, I can't keep your persona's straight, it was corvette2005 that got the 3 ct stone - here is the thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-need-feedback-on-this-stone-please.13218/

Well why don't we do this...I just spoke to a friend of mine and he can produce the pictures and documents to prove what I just said and send you a copy of such documents.
----------------

ChowChow99 offered the exact same response 2 months ago but the threads are gone, or at least my attempts to find them failed and I do not care nor do I have the time.

Why don't we make it interesting? Do you have a favorite charity? Well let's say we put up $5,000 each and whoever is wrong donates the $5K to the other person's favorite charity in that person's name. My favorite charity is the ASPCA...What's yours? I'm all in. Are you going to call or drop?

----------------

I am not disputing your purchases just pointing out you are the same person. You sent me a personal email before when we closed on ranks on the crazy Closingthedeal thread and you sent me another email this morning from the same account so just drop it.

Limey

 

[Pair0Ducks]

----------------
On 6/26/2004 2:08:21 PM sfanta123155 wrote:





My favorite charity is the ASPCA...What's yours?
----------------

Dude! He's Bob Barker!