shape
carat
color
clarity

Men cut back on cost of the ring

wakingdreams53

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
891
I predict a smaller average diamond size and/or more people leaning towards colored center stones.
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
wakingdreams53|1313988939|2996313 said:
I predict a smaller average diamond size and/or more people leaning towards colored center stones.

Me too. I've already seen it. The "one carat" mark is getting harder and harder to hit.
 

jewelerman

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
3,107
who remembers the diamond bubble of 1979-80 when a 1 carat ideally cut,D-flawless was running $64,000 a carat on paper and then the gem investment market finally bottomed out and brought the cost down to about $13,500 per carat.A lot of people really lost their shirts on those investment diamond groups. Every once in a while i see a sealed diamond that has a crazy appraisal per carat value attached.
 

centralsquare

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
2,216
jewelerman|1314078175|2997177 said:
and then the gem investment market finally bottomed out and brought the cost down

How do we make that happen again???? :appl:
 

MissStepcut

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
1,723
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?
 

centralsquare

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
2,216
MissStepcut|1314079015|2997185 said:
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?

The article indicated that the average amount spent is going down, so I assume they spent more previously. If I recall, the numbers in the article indicated a substantial decrease.
 

Circe

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
8,087
I wonder how much of it is a psychological reflection of the recent increases as opposed to a corollary to the men's specific economic circumstances.

I mean, if I were getting engaged now? I'd much rather focus on the symbolic aspect, and wait for a moment when I felt I wasn't getting shivved to upgrade. Heck, I am thinking that for the anniversary ring I've been looking forward to for years! Like, get X carats now for 5 years ... or see what things look like for 10 years (or at any point in the interim, should a bargain come along). Wonder what the corresponding American figures would be ....
 

AmeliaG

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 8, 2011
Messages
880
It may be rising diamond prices but it may just be that everything is going up now. I'm seeing a lot of cutbacks in a lot of areas and getting married can be expensive.
 

Amys Bling

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
11,025
Ver interesting. We bought at way more than hubby's three week salary average last year. I actually think that since Hubby did way better this past year at his job post ring purchase he may have been inclined to spend more this year than last-BUT he may not have actually gotten any more for that money with the darn rise in prices!! Boo. I do think that Intile economy it is smart to not over buy when it comes to a ring. Use cash and if you plan on upgrading when there is more cashflow and economy and prices are steady go with a vendor with a good upgrade policy.

Interesting article though. Makes sense to me.
 

AprilBaby

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
13,234
My gf in the bling business says she used to sell a lot of 2 ct but now just under 1ct to 1ct is selling more.
 

MissStepcut

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
1,723
centralsquare|1314104246|2997290 said:
MissStepcut|1314079015|2997185 said:
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?

The article indicated that the average amount spent is going down, so I assume they spent more previously. If I recall, the numbers in the article indicated a substantial decrease.
While the article did imply that, I don't think that's what it actually said.
 

Amys Bling

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
11,025
MissStepcut|1314112510|2997367 said:
centralsquare|1314104246|2997290 said:
MissStepcut|1314079015|2997185 said:
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?

The article indicated that the average amount spent is going down, so I assume they spent more previously. If I recall, the numbers in the article indicated a substantial decrease.
While the article did imply that, I don't think that's what it actually said.


Could it be that in this economy the average persons three week salary is less than it used to be on average??
 

Skippy123

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 24, 2006
Messages
24,300
jewelerman|1314078175|2997177 said:
who remembers the diamond bubble of 1979-80 when a 1 carat ideally cut,D-flawless was running $64,000 a carat on paper and then the gem investment market finally bottomed out and brought the cost down to about $13,500 per carat.A lot of people really lost their shirts on those investment diamond groups. Every once in a while i see a sealed diamond that has a crazy appraisal per carat value attached.

That is what I am thinking is going on (not the same scenario)!!! I think it will change; not right away but I do think things will go back down over the next 10 years.
 

MissStepcut

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
1,723
Amys Bling|1314118375|2997473 said:
MissStepcut|1314112510|2997367 said:
centralsquare|1314104246|2997290 said:
MissStepcut|1314079015|2997185 said:
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?

The article indicated that the average amount spent is going down, so I assume they spent more previously. If I recall, the numbers in the article indicated a substantial decrease.
While the article did imply that, I don't think that's what it actually said.


Could it be that in this economy the average persons three week salary is less than it used to be on average??
I am pretty sure the article just uses the "3 months' salary" assumption as a point of comparison, but doesn't claim that was ever actually the norm.
 

karpouzi

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
307
MissStepcut|1314112510|2997367 said:
While the article did imply that, I don't think that's what it actually said.

I agree. The article is really just a fluff piece; it contains no comparative research and almost all of its statements are hedged.

Check out this sentence. Vague/hedge words in color: "Traditionally, a ring has tended to cost around up to three months’ salary – but now many grooms-to-be are devoting only three weeks’ income to the crucial purchase."
 

centralsquare

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
2,216
MissStepcut|1314112510|2997367 said:
centralsquare|1314104246|2997290 said:
MissStepcut|1314079015|2997185 said:
The question is, were men ever paying more than 3 weeks salary?

The article indicated that the average amount spent is going down, so I assume they spent more previously. If I recall, the numbers in the article indicated a substantial decrease.
While the article did imply that, I don't think that's what it actually said.

This comment made me think that there was some data to support the position that men are spending less: "So while men in the past might have spent up to £5,000, that figure has fallen to just £1,230"
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top