Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

On avg, what are guys paying these days for engagement rings?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
B

Blinginator

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
100
On average, what are guys spending these days for engagement rings? I''m curious because I have no idea how much to spend. I''d be willing to spend about $25-$30k. Is that overkill. My gf isn''t the type to care for a big rock but I wouldn''t want to get her something too small.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance.
 
Its going to vary by area and profession.
In my area the average is probably under $1000
In other areas the average could be closer too $10000
In general 5-6k is a very popular range.
 
Date: 7/19/2007 11:09:27 AM
Author:Blinginator
On average, what are guys spending these days for engagement rings? I''m curious because I have no idea how much to spend. I''d be willing to spend about $25-$30k. Is that overkill. My gf isn''t the type to care for a big rock but I wouldn''t want to get her something too small.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
whose average? seriously. Midwest rural farm town or uptown manhattan?

I think a very classic size is one carat and you can get that for way less than 30k. Of course if you really want to spend 30k you can get her considerably more!
 
Average US size is .36 points (~1/3 carat) and the average NYC size is 1.5cts.


According to wedding Channel: "The average engagement ring costs $1500. The average couple spends $190 on each wedding ring. "
(scroll down to budget calculator)
http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/jewelry/home.asp

More stats: Based on this: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=284322
$3,044 (Bride''s Millenium Report)
$2,982 (Bride''s Magazine)
$2,909 (Modern Bride, as cited in Weddings for Dummies)
$3,576 (Conde Nast Bridal Group)
$3,165 (Modern Bride Magazine)
$2,807 (National Bride Service)
 
Do you have the mean figures?
 
$25-$30k is just the amount I set aside for an engagement ring but if the avg is around $5-$6k and sizewise 1ct then I''ll work from there and shoot for quality and a really nice setting. I just found this forum a few days ago and I don''t plan on making any purchases for at least 5 months, upwards to a year. I''m just slowly planning things out.
2.gif
 
Thank you everyone for your input. It looks to be about $3-$4k on avg according to that google answers post.

So sizewise, is 1ct a good size? Not too big, not too small? My gf isn't the type to wear big diamonds.
 
Blinginator

Check what size her friends are wearing, you don't want to go much if at all smaller than that.
 
Kudos to you for setting aside $$$ well in advance!
9.gif


I''ve found the biggest influence on what women envision for themselves e-ring wise is the size/style rings of the women closest to them. Mostly size. Sisters, Mother, Friends, Work Associates, Boss etc.... Women who don''t give a hoot about jewelry normally somehow develop a kind of LASER FOCUS on bling all of a sudden, the minute engagement seems in the realm of possibility! They start really noticing what''s "the norm" in their town, their crowd, among the group they ASPIRE to be a part of.

To guesstimate the range she MIGHT yearn for ... pay attention yourself to what she''s probably starting to notice. If you can''t guess sizes of stones, you might start politely asking - explaining that you may be shopping for a ring soon yourself. (Ladies will probably be much more eager to discuss if they think they''re helping you shop!)

If you go slightly above what she *thinks* you''ll choose -- WOWville. But I''m sure any proposal ... w/ or w/o a ring is plenty WOWville for a gal in love!
 
FYI ... there''s a fun feature on Blue Nile that shows "recent purchases" of diamonds. It''s not a GREAT judge of e-ring size ... because many people are purchasing stones for earrings & pendants too ... but it''s a glimpse into what others are doing.

On your "google" research -- I don''t really think you should put too much weight into the "national average". What really matters is what''s going on in YOUR AREA, right NOW. (Well ... that''s what matters to ME at least). Also, if price isn''t too much of an object (if you have a nice amount saved) ... maybe approaching it like "What I can get for 3K" isn''t the *best* way. Maybe it could be ...

Her mom has a 1 carat
Her best friend has a .75 carat
Her sister has 2 carats
She has small hands
She likes square stones
Her culture appreciates "D/E/F" color stones with high clarity
SOOOOOO -- I''ll look for a 1.5 carat, F, VS2 AGS-0 Princess cut.

recentpurchases.jpg
 
Great info, deco!

I agree...look around her, check out HER family and girlfriends, etc..., and don''t be afraid to ask about things!

Good luck and you''ll have NO problem with an awesome budget like yours!
 
Isn''t is supposed to be "two month''s salary" as a rule of thumb? This is what I told hubby, so this meant I was able to shop in the $10-12000 price range for my upgrade (lol). However, 14 years ago, when hubby was only 23, he proposed with a .70 carat pear shape diamond that cost him about $ 3500.
 
The other thing to consider is the size of your gf''s fingers as that will make a difference to how big stones look.

My FSIL who is from Chicago has a 1.5ct RB and although she loves it, she feels it''s a bit big and was horrified when she had it appraised as she''s scared walking round with so much $$$ on her hand.

I''m 35 and we spent just under $6k on mine which is about the limit of what I felt comfortable with. (My centre stone is a tsavorite not a diamond though)

Most of my friends here in the UK reckon on spending around $4k - doesn''t seem to make any difference if they earn £40k a year or £200k a year. I''m much more into bling than any of them though.
 
I thought of another analogy ...

How would you approach buying a car? Would you research what the average cost of cars is ... and then choose from a list of models that are that amount? OR would you figure out what cars you LIKE that are in your budget and then start comparing features....

The results may end up the same. You might end up with a Toyota Corolla or Ford Taurus ... but you didn''t start out saying "What is the average car?"

I doubt you selected the GIRL that way either?
2.gif
 
I agree with Deco.

Re the idea here:


Date: 7/19/2007 12:40:24 PM
Author: beau13
Isn''t is supposed to be ''two month''s salary'' as a rule of thumb? This is what I told hubby, so this meant I was able to shop in the $10-12000 price range for my upgrade (lol). However, 14 years ago, when hubby was only 23, he proposed with a .70 carat pear shape diamond that cost him about $ 3500.
Click to expand...
The source is reviewed here (restated as one to two months), and generally, in approaching the question...looking at your salary makes the most sense to me. I did that.
 
Date: 7/19/2007 11:36:52 AM
Author: Blinginator
Thank you everyone for your input. It looks to be about $3-$4k on avg according to that google answers post.


So sizewise, is 1ct a good size? Not too big, not too small? My gf isn't the type to wear big diamonds.
Click to expand...


Well, it all depends. If you're only looking a rounds and radiants, then 1ct (depending on the other factors that people have outlined for you) is a nice mark. If you are looking at fancy cuts that have more spread, like pears or marquise, you may be able to go lower. If you're looking at ECs or asschers, they need to be deeper than an RB so 1ct will appear smaller.

Try looking at some stones and see what speaks to you as far as shape and color, then find out what size your gf wears and what's normal in your area. With all of that data you can surely make an informed decision. Big is relative, you need to know your relations! For instance I have a 0.6ct ring, which is small for my area, but I'm petite and work with my hands so wouldn't be comfortable with anything larger.

5k is a very healthy place to start; gorgeous rings can be found for far more and far less, it's all about what you want!
 
Everything really is relative. For example...where you say:


Date: 7/19/2007 11:09:27 AM
Author:Blinginator
I''d be willing to spend about $25-$30k. Is that overkill. My gf isn''t the type to care for a big rock but I wouldn''t want to get her something too small.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
You might reasonably pocket some savings, and consider this one.

Where are you? Considering the premium you''d pay over this one...you might want to consider making a visit to either one (making an appointment first), and seeing the premium you''d be paying for, in the case of one over the other.

By the way, you can easily use this, and see other favorable options. Note, both G0G & WF have comparables at the lower and higher end you might consider...and though G0G is a regular shop...WF has a history of seeing shoppers by appointment.

Happy shopping!
 
There are no accurate average numbers for this type of thing. Remember that those "averages" that these places come up with have HUGE variances, from people who spent $100 or nothing on an heirloom ring to people who spent $100,000. So if you know anything about stats, you''ll know that these type of averages don''t tell you a lot.


I agree that checking out what her close friends/family are wearing is the best idea to go from.
 
Holy cow! The one in the link is about as perfect a diamond as Ive seen!

I can only say, if you have $30 grand to spend on an engagement ring, where do you work and are they hiring?
 
If you have the budget, I would go bigger than a carat and also find a real quality setting that you think she''ll go crazy for. My original budget was 15K, but in the end, with a designer setting it came out to be more like $18.5K. Just for comparison, the stone I purchased is a RB 1.71 ct, Ideal Cut, G color, VS2 and the setting is from Michael B.

The ring will be ready next month, and I can''t wait to see the look on my girlfriend''s face when I pop the question (in Hawai''i). She will freak out!!

Good luck!
 
Date: 7/19/2007 12:42:58 PM
Author: decodelighted
I thought of another analogy ...

How would you approach buying a car? Would you research what the average cost of cars is ... and then choose from a list of models that are that amount? OR would you figure out what cars you LIKE that are in your budget and then start comparing features....

The results may end up the same. You might end up with a Toyota Corolla or Ford Taurus ... but you didn''t start out saying ''What is the average car?''

I doubt you selected the GIRL that way either?
2.gif
Click to expand...
Haha. Yes very true. But then again at least I have knowledge on cars whereas with diamonds I have no idea where to even start (but I think I started in the right place, here at PS). On avg I would say the cost of a Camry or Accord would be your typical amount spent on a new car, whereas a Lexus LS600 would be more luxurious. From reading here so far today, it sounds like the typical is 1ct or around $4k. With the amount I saved, I have plenty of room to shop for a Toyota or a Lexus. Prior to today, my only knowledge of diamonds was one friend who spent $2000, another friend who bought a H Winston (no idea on price but I did see the ring and it didn''t look particularly that great or big, and another friend who spent about $15k on a 1.5ct.

This forum has def been very helpful. I''ve already spent about 3 hrs on it today reading around. So much info available, with such helpful people.
 
Blinginator,
I''m going to chime in and say that it definitely depends on your social circle, and where you live (LA, NYC, etc) that will also determine what her idea of BIG is. I live in LA and not a single one of my married friends (none over 30 years old) has a ring under 2 carats (all above G color). The biggest ring belongs to one of my best friends, and is 5 carats (F color), and he was only 27 at the time when he bought it. That is the standard here. So, I''d poke around and see what her friends have, or maybe even ask her what she likes/thinks. Or if you don''t want to ask her, ask one of her friends, we talk about these things with each other trust me :)

I''m not saying you have to spend all 30K, but 6K is not going to get you a 2 carat diamond with great specs and an awesome setting. But 15-20K probably will.
 
^^^^^^^ they are right.

how big of a ring definitely depends on the circle of friends BOTH of you have.

if you were WILLING to spend 25-30k before you posted, then you obviously have money and most likely your friends have money as well.

in which case see what your friends wives have and aim for around the same size.

now it''s POSSIBLE your gf is one of those who don''t care what others have, but most women do even if they won''t admit it.

i can only imagine the houses that you and bigdiamondtinygal (and her friends) have!
 
Date: 7/19/2007 3:37:15 PM
Author: bigdiamondtinygal
Blinginator,

I''m going to chime in and say that it definitely depends on your social circle, and where you live (LA, NYC, etc) that will also determine what her idea of BIG is. I live in LA and not a single one of my married friends (none over 30 years old) has a ring under 2 carats (all above G color). The biggest ring belongs to one of my best friends, and is 5 carats (F color), and he was only 27 at the time when he bought it. That is the standard here. So, I''d poke around and see what her friends have, or maybe even ask her what she likes/thinks. Or if you don''t want to ask her, ask one of her friends, we talk about these things with each other trust me :)


I''m not saying you have to spend all 30K, but 6K is not going to get you a 2 carat diamond with great specs and an awesome setting. But 15-20K probably will.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I spent three years at grad school in Los Angeles. The rocks there were huge. Even the girls at school who were around 24 years old had big stones.

In the Bay Area (excluding maybe San Francisco), however, even 2 carat RBs seems gaudy. It''s not so much a matter of wealth as it is culture, as there are many places in the Bay Area that make living in Beverly Hills or the OC seem cheap by comparison. So in my opinion, you should take a good look at the culture of your general area, your mutual social circle, and her ring size. I may get lynched here, but bigger isn''t always better, even with all the other characteristics being equal.

Of course, her personal preference is the most important factor and should prevail over the other considerations I mentioned earlier.
 
In rural Ohio ...... engagement rings $1500.00-$2500.00.... In larger city.....$5000.00 WOOOOOOOOOOOO
face1.gif
 
Honestly, I think that $30,000 is too much money to spend on a ring. Do you already own a home? If not, I''d spend $10K and then use the rest toward a down pmt on a house. (House prices are insane where I live. I cannot imagine them going down any time soon!)
 
I love Deco''s car purchase analogy--that makes so much sense, Deco.

I also agree with everyone''s comments about looking to your social circle for guidelines, but remember that their choices may not affect your future fiancee''s thoughts about an ering at all, and of course you certainly don''t have to do what everyone else is doing.

We live in Chicago, and my friends'' rings all vary widely from 1+ carat to 4+ carats in size, but I can say that I don''t know anyone in the city with anything smaller than a 1 carat. However, I work out in the suburbs and my young colleagues generally have smaller erings, more in the .75 range.

If you have that large of a budget, it sounds like you could truly focus on getting something very special that your GF will absolutely love. Does she have a sister or a close friend you could contact? I helped my best friend''s now-husband pick out her 3+ carat ring, and he ended up spending his money wisely since he had a spy on his side--she absolutely loves it.

Good luck and show us pictures once you find the right ring!
 
I was operating on a budget similar to the OP's. A 3 carat diamond was doable, but: (1) I'd have to significantly sacrifice color/clarity, and (2) such a stone would be obscenely large on my girlfriend's finger.

I know the general notion on this forum is to go for cut, then size, but at a certain point, 'big' is too big. A 2 carat stone on a petite finger can be quite stunning and will appear fairly large; no one will think it modest. I think that once you've identified your terminal size, you can spend more on color and clarity or go for a high-end setting. $30k gets spent pretty quickly when you consider the premium you pay for a DEF/IF-VVS stone and a custom setting from someone like Leon (another $5-7k).

In short, if 2 carats is as big as you want to go, your budget may just be enough to cover a premium stone and setting. So, no, it's not necessarily overkill.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I disagree with using her friends' rings as a guideline. You can afford what you can afford. If they have much bigger diamonds than you can buy, what the heck are you supposed to do about that? On the other hand, if you can get your girlfriend a bigger stone then her friends', that's great--it should be for her, not them or anyone else.
 
"(House prices are insane where I live. I cannot imagine them going down any time soon!)"

where do you live? Prices are dropping in most of the country. With the sub-prime and alt-a loans just resetting (something like 50B in 10/07 alone), it looks like its just the beginning (assuming you ask anyone aside from NAR)
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top