How much does a nice engagement ring cost?

[Young Chea]

I have been looking into them. I''ve heard the saying "if you care how much it cost, you shouldn''t purchase one" and I''ve also heard two months salary. I was just wondering if people can tell me how much their engagement ring cost. I know it may be a personal questions so it''s ok if you don''t want to answer it. I''ve done some research online but haven''t actually gone to any jewelers yet. My price range is around 10,000, probably not more than 12,500. Can I get something eye catching for my girl at that price? Thanks in advance!

 

[ep6585]

You should be able to get something very eye catching for that amount. I spent around $6100 and I'm very happy with it.

 

[nicknomo]

No, absolutely not. You aren ot going to get anything nice for that price. You need to spend at least 30-40 thousand.

....

Of course you can get something nice for that price! In fact it will probably be amazing. You are looking at getting a well cut near colorless stone around and above the 1.5 carat mark... Very nice indeed!

 

[pqcollectibles]

I've seen people come to PS with widely varying budgets of anywhere from less than $2000 to Heavens only knows. Complete ring. There are people who buy all they can afford, like college and graduate students. There are people who spend all they want, like established, career people with considerable savings. There are people in between who could afford to buy more and choose not to. Just depends on a person's stage in life, how much disposable income they have, their social circles, and their own personal priorities.

Don't work off some sort of "X month's salary" formula. Nothing wrong with caring how much it costs. You wouldn't buy anything else without asking the price. Find out the shape of cut your gal wants, the style of ring she wants, and work from there. You may be able to find your perfect ring for much less than your budget.

 

[Greg]

That's about the same budget I had, and a whopping 2 months later (so I might not have enough perspective yet for my viewpoint to be valid), I'm/we're still very happy with & excited about the ring.

One thing I did too, which I think is an idea worth floating, was spend $3,000 of my ring budget on an elaborate proposal. When you get engaged, the ring isn't the only thing she gets -- the story becomes something that she'll have forever too. You can certainly have a great proposal story without spending much (or any) money on it, but your budget is big enough to allow for a great ring and a no-holds-barred night out.

 

[hoorray]

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On 7/20/2004 4:11:50 PM pqcollectibles wrote:

There are people in between who could afford to buy more and choose not to. Just depends on a person's stage in life, how much disposable income they have, their social circles, and their own personal priorities.

Don't work off some sort of 'X month's salary' formula. Nothing wrong with caring how much it costs. You wouldn't buy anything else without asking the price. Find out the shape of cut your gal wants, the style of ring she wants, and work from there. You may be able to find your perfect ring for much less than your budget.

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

This is smart advice. You have a very heathly budget and can certainly buy a great ring with that. Be smart about it and do what is right for you. You certainly should ask how much it costs and not be afraid to question it. This is a large amount of $$ that should be spent wisely, and anyone who tells you differently isn't looking out for your best interests.

 

[glitterata]

I know a couple who got a beautiful e-ring for probably around $200. It's a sapphire set in gold.

I'd say $10,000 is more than enough.

 

[coreyzat]

I am finalizing the purchase of the E-ring I am getting for my girlfriend. I got a very nice 1 ct asscher diamond and a custom made platinum ring (with etching and baguettes) for a total of $5300. The ring will be big enough to impress her girlfriends, and cheap enough to be able to afford a house when we're together. The best of both worlds!
Corey

 

[coreyzat]

I forgot to add that you could easily spend $10,000 and get complete crap! A little research and you'll find that you can get exactly what you want (maybe even better) for a much more reasonable price. Remember, she's going to wear the ring, not the receipt.
Corey

Oh, and the $5300 I spent is equal to a little less than one month's salary for me.

 

[wanderlost]

I'd like to throw in some of the most helpful advice I received here:

'Let her pick out the setting, you pick out the stone'

 

[ame]

Oh--and you don't have to spend ALL the money budgeted.

 

[wanderlost]

Amen to that.

 

[TimPhilly]

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On 7/20/2004 9:46:48 PM wanderlost wrote:

I'd like to throw in some of the most helpful advice I received here:

'Let her pick out the setting, you pick out the stone'

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

I like this idea, but I'm curious as to the logistics of how you made this work? A temporary setting for the diamond?

I have a decent idea of what my gf wants (she loved the Lucida, so I'm leaning toward the Vatche X-Prong), and I'd be worried that she wouldn't love having to wait 3 weeks or so for the stone to be sent to Vatche for mounting. Then again, I'm not really sure if she wants a solitaire or would prefer the X-Prong channel setting.

 

[VAgal13]

Great advice! Figure out what type of ring she would like, then get her a great one that both you and her can be proud of and cherish forever. And...if it happens to be less than 10K then it is. But, yes...10K will get you a nice rock! Do be careful with what you buy though. Make sure you get your moneys worth.

Good luck!

-Sarah

 

[chialea]

She can either wait for the setting to be done (I'm doing it right now -- and for longer than that -- so it can in fact be done), or get something locally. It's nice to have input into your setting, since there are comfort issues involved. (Rings that hurt are a big no-no!)

I saw another suggestion that you might propose with an engraved bracelet or necklace or something of the sort, then pick out the whole ring together. If you don't have any idea what she wants, this might be a thoughtful way to do it, especially if you know she's particular about what she wears. It's also a really great keepsake to pass on to your kids, if you have any. Those sorts of meaningful gifts are treasured in my family.

 

[headlight]

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On 7/21/2004 2:39:08 PM chialea wrote:

I saw another suggestion that you might propose with an engraved bracelet or necklace or something of the sort, then pick out the whole ring together.

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

That is such a fabulous idea. I remember that just a year or so before I got engaged in 1989, Martha Stewart's first "Weddings" coffee table book came out. On the first page was a gold watch, turned over, and it was engraved with the words, in script font, "Marry Me". I thought that was the MOST romantic thing and had secretly wished that my future betrothed would do something like that (he didn't but oh well!). That shows significant effort and planning for a proposal, even though there is no ring involved. And then the couple can shop for the ring together.

 

[headlight]

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On 7/20/2004 8:09:26 PM Greg wrote:

One thing I did too, which I think is an idea worth floating, was spend $3,000 of my ring budget on an elaborate proposal. When you get engaged, the ring isn't the only thing she gets -- the story becomes something that she'll have forever too. You can certainly have a great proposal story without spending much (or any) money on it, but your budget is big enough to allow for a great ring and a no-holds-barred night out.----------------

Greg brings up something really important in that the proposal story is just as significant as the ring. My DH didn't do anything special and I guess I've made it known on more than one occassion over the past 16 years that it bothered me. Unfortunately, even though my DH has done so many wonderful things for me over the years you just can't get back that one time opportunity/moment.

 

[valeria101]

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


I have a decent idea of what my gf wants (she loved the Lucida, so I'm leaning toward the Vatche X-Prong), and I'd be worried that she wouldn't love having to wait 3 weeks or so for the stone to be sent to Vatche for mounting. ----------------

You will find lots of stories on the "show me the ring" forum about how to make this work... and yes, I think the "temporary setting" is the usual answer.

And vatche does not have to be such a long wait if the seller of the stone has the setting in stock. Also, there are quite a few other lucida style settings out there. Some inexpensive enough to be a perfect "temporary" - these would be off some catalog and any diamond seller could provide one.

Another example of a seriously nice lucida style that is not Vatche's come at Whiteflash (LINK).

But... "Lucida" is not just the type of setting, but also a different diamond cut. Are you going for a diamond that looks liek the Lucida cut too ?

 

[ame]

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On 7/21/2004 1:37:14 PM TimPhilly wrote:




I like this idea, but I'm curious as to the logistics of how you made this work? A temporary setting for the diamond?

My fiancee proposed with a temporary platinum setting. Had he gone with a 6 prong instead of a 4 for that Id have kept it the way it was. Excellent idea.

Don't go too overboard. She'll probably faint anyway

 

[TimPhilly]

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

But... 'Lucida' is not just the type of setting, but also a different diamond cut. Are you going for a diamond that looks liek the Lucida cut too ?

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

Well, sort of. I'm leaning toward a Jubilee--which seems to me to be more brilliant than the Lucida. The main message I got from her was that she prefered square to round--so I think the Jubilee should fit the bill perfectly.

As for the setting, you guys have me perplexed now. I guess I'll go with a temporary setting, although the necklace / bracelet / watch idea is great. It just adds a bit too much to both the cost and the selection process (I know she wants a Cartier watch, but I have no idea which one--and they aren't cheap!). The downside is that I've waited to ask a bit longer than she would have liked--so I'm a little worried that she won't be thrilled about waiting for the diamond to be set.

Incidentally, the 3 weeks for the setting was for the stone to be sent to Vatche for mounting (which I think I'd prefer)--not for a local jeweler to mount it themselves.

Thanks for all your input!

 

[ep6585]

Vatche will only guarantee their rings/settings if they set the diamond.

They're setting my Jubilee in their new platinum double x-prong setting. They said it would take four weeks to complete.

 

[heart prongs]

Personally, I liked being proposed to with the ring and the setting intact, cause everyone wants to see it and it can become a bit annoying to say "it's a temporary setting" a thousand times in a row! That may just be me though...We did a fair amount of shopping together, and my soon-to-be-husband (in three weeks!!!)

just knew by the look on my face when we saw "the" ring that I ended up receiving this past September. Here's what it looks like by the way...

http://www.mwmjewelry.com/Leo-cp-a-sm.jpg

It was already set (don't recommend buying a diamond that way, we just got lucky.) Believe me, I was MORE than ready to get the ring and the waiting was killing me...but after that ring was on my finger, I forgot all about those months of torture

...Best of luck to you both; an exciting and joyous occasion awaits you...kl

 

[Dancing Fire]

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On 7/22/2004 5:59:56 PM TimPhilly wrote:

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

But... 'Lucida' is not just the type of setting, but also a different diamond cut. Are you going for a diamond that looks liek the Lucida cut too ?

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

Well, sort of. I'm leaning toward a Jubilee--which seems to me to be more brilliant than the Lucida. The main message I got from her was that she prefered square to round--so I think the Jubilee should fit the bill perfectly.

As for the setting, you guys have me perplexed now. I guess I'll go with a temporary setting, although the necklace / bracelet / watch idea is great. It just adds a bit too much to both the cost and the selection process (I know she wants a Cartier watch, but I have no idea which one--and they aren't cheap!). The downside is that I've waited to ask a bit longer than she would have liked--so I'm a little worried that she won't be thrilled about waiting for the diamond to be set.

Incidentally, the 3 weeks for the setting was for the stone to be sent to Vatche for mounting (which I think I'd prefer)--not for a local jeweler to mount it themselves.

Thanks for all your input!----------------

timphilly,

about that cartier watch, make sure to get her a mechanical one; NOT quartz.