salary percentage on engagement ring

[swl]

so debeers suggests 3 months salary, financial advisers suggest 3 weeks salary, I wonder realistically how much do people spend on the engagement ring in terms of the salary ratio?

what's your ratio?

 

[HpiRally]

Date: 6/20/2009 2:45:42 PM
Author:swl
so debeers suggests 3 months salary, financial advisers suggest 3 weeks salary, I wonder realistically how much do people spend on the engagement ring in terms of the salary ratio?


what''s your ratio?

ummm....trigger happy much?

I did about 2 months salary. That was my budget..I say pick out what you want and what you feel comfy paying for. who cares what everyone else says. Its your life, your money...dont start marriage up to your eye balls in debt.

joe

 

[swl]

ahhh i messed up my poll >.< oh well...

 

[swl]

hi joe, just a little research i hope no one is offended.

 

[HpiRally]

Date: 6/20/2009 2:52:09 PM
Author: swl
hi joe, just a little research i hope no one is offended.

I know.. I meant it as a comment for the masses. No one knows your money situation like you do...so do what you feel comfy doing. ya know? I would not spend $10,000 on a ring...my soon to be fiance would kill me..lol.

I would also look at it this way...

debeers = something to gain from 3 months salary or more.

 

[Dawn61]

Everyone is different and people should not feel any obligation about this. Shame on DeBeers!

 

[D&T]

there was a recent thread on this a couple of months ago, lots of responses. However, I should say that it''s whatever you are comfortable with or you and your FI is comfortable with, whether you/she would like to contribute to the funds, or you only. So don''t go with what Debeers states.

 

[swl]

D&T do you know where I can find that post?

 

[D&T]

here is one, but you probably wouldn''t have known this as it was in the hangout.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-dont-mean-to-pry-but-how-much-did-you-spend-on-your-e-ring-and-w-band.112962/

 

[D&T]

here is another a little old, but still some info. hope this somewhat helps.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/average-budget-for-erings.56007/

 

[swl]

thanks D&T! these posts are very interesting to read

 

[D&T]

welcome

Do come back with what you get, It'll be exciting and beautiful no matter what your budget is especially now that you've found pricescope

 

[vespergirl]

My husband spent about 2 months salary of what he was earning at the time he proposed.

 

[denverappraiser]

I’ve been in the jewelry business for most of my adult life and I’ve never been comfortable with this whole question. In retail I absolutely refused to use it as part of my sales presentation, even when asked. Whether or not you have something better to spend your money on is a question for your fiancée and your accountant, not your jeweler. If you’re going to give a diamond as a token of your engagement, it’s appropriate that you commit to it a significant budget but what constitutes ‘significant’ will be different for each couple. Ignore DeBeers and choose a price that works for your own budget whether it’s zero or $50,000. If she''s expecting a $50k whopper and you''re budget supports a plain gold band, you have problems that go far deeper than the ring budget. Similarly, if your finances support (and she wants) something dramatic and you go for the discount quarter carater you can expect some justifiable flack. Follow your good common sense and you''ll be fine.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Dawn61]

What bothers me about DeBeer's idea is the "1-month women" may feel bad and the "5-month women" may feel more special. This whole "how many month's salary did I rate" can't be healthy for a woman or the marriage. I know no we are not supposed to feel that way, but we are human.

I even saw a DeBeers ad showing a man giving a diamond to a woman. The only words were, "Isn't she worth it?"
I guess women who don't get diamonds, or expensive ones, are supposed to feel NOT worth it?

It is very subtle, insidious but powerful.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 6/20/2009 2:45:42 PM
Author:swl
so debeers suggests 3 months salary, financial advisers suggest 3 weeks salary, I wonder realistically how much do people spend on the engagement ring in terms of the salary ratio?

what''s your ratio?

One thing that has always puzzled me: gross salary or after tax?

 

[the tree sees]

SWL,

One of the many great features of working with a vendor preferred by participants on this forum is that many, if not most (...all?), offer a lifetime trade-up option. If you follow the lead of the prosumers here, who are always more than willing to help, then the stone will be gorgeous to begin with. At the same time, there will be no need to fret that you could have done "better" had you first amassed more wealth, because PS will still be here, waiting!

Best of luck.

 

[swl]

Lady_Disdain, that is one of my questions as well, lol~

Jason, I totally agree with you, pricescope is a really good site for people to learn about their important purchase~

Dawn61, I think when companies give love commercial values, the essential meaning of giving something precious to your love one completely changes. But I can still understand how a guy feel, he wants to make his girl feel no less than any other girl to the best of his ability. I think that's just the sweetest part of all

 

[Kaleigh]

Buy what you can afford, it''s as simple as that. I don''t love the guidlines set by DeBeers.. Such a gimmick...

 

[MrT]

One thing I never understod -- when they say ''two months'' are they talking pre-tax or after-tax income??

 

[joelly]

Date: 6/20/2009 3:53:59 PM
Author: swl
D&T do you know where I can find that post?

You may want to do a search on this forum. It''s located in the upper right hand corner.

IMO, go now with what you comfortable with and find a vendor who has an upgrade policy. This will allow you to upgrade later on.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 6/20/2009 7:12:40 PM
Author: MrT
One thing I never understod -- when they say ''two months'' are they talking pre-tax or after-tax income??

Ditto! Curious about this as well... of course, if it''s DeBeers advising three months, I''m gonna venture a guess and say PRE-tax

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/20/2009 5:09:44 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain
One thing that has always puzzled me: gross salary or after tax?

Good question. Also, base or total comp?

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/20/2009 11:13:03 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 6/20/2009 5:09:44 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain
One thing that has always puzzled me: gross salary or after tax?

Good question. Also, base or total comp?

I''ve wondered about gross vs net too.

Harriet- I always assume base.

 

[Moh 10]

DeBeers says if she is a really sexy hot babe then it's 3 months of your PRE tax salary.

If she ain't so hot then it's 3 months AFTER tax.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

It was a marketing campaign that brought the "salary" issue to the forefront
of diamond ring buying.

Back in the late 70''s and early 80''s, when I was in retail. 1/4''s 1/3''s and 1/2''s were the most common diamond sizes sold. Imagine that!

Peer pressure, I guess, will always be a factor...but it shouldn''t be.

Love should come from the heart..not the wallet.

But even if you can''t spend a ton....always buy the very best quality diamond.

If it sparkles like crazy...all of her friends will be dazzled and you''ll be a hero in her eyes

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/21/2009 1:09:47 PM
Author: Modified Brilliant

Back in the late 70''s and early 80''s, when I was in retail. 1/4''s 1/3''s and 1/2''s were the most common diamond sizes sold. Imagine that!

It still is in my area.
1/4ct is the size of the e-ring diamond you are most likely to see someone wearing.