Average price of an engagement ring?

Wine&SilverBlue · #1 03-06-2007, 05:46 PM

I looked at the other thread about people's "dream rings" but I'm curious - what is the average range for the engagement rings that people actually buy (not just dream about)?

I've heard the "2 months salary" thing but that seems awfully high and unrealistic (it screams "marketing ploy")

Thoughts?

litAKAtor · #2 03-06-2007, 06:21 PM

I have heard that as well . .I don't know about two months - because if you make like 5000 a month (60,000) a year - that would mean you would purchase a 10k ring. I would say - look at your finances, and purchase a ring (I strongly recommend wholesale places that is where my husband got mine from and I will NOT complain - he did GOOD!), that is in line with how you feel about the person you are proposing to. If she loves you, size won't matter and you can always upgrade . . .

Cardinal026 · #3 03-06-2007, 06:25 PM

When my sister got engaged her ring was very simple and cost $1500. Her fiance worked at the UPS store and they were 19, so that seems high to me for kids so young and broke. When my best friend got engaged, she split the cost with her fiance to make sure she got the ring she wanted since he didn't have a lot of money, and in the end the ring was about $6000.

I personally would rather not have a ring worth two months of my boyfriend's salary. I know you can get jewelry insured, but I lose everything, and I don't want to be a stress monster every day from wearing precious stones! I just want to enjoy something pretty on my finger.

valkyrie · #4 03-06-2007, 06:41 PM

$0.

KSigkid · #5 03-06-2007, 06:52 PM

If you're buying one, go to a jeweler you know, and you won't get ripped off. Go to a random jewelry store, chances are you'll get ripped off.

As far as prices, I'm not going to say how much I spent on my wife's ring, because I think it's no one's business, a personal thing. My wife liked it, I liked it, and that's really all that matters.

shinerbock · #6 03-06-2007, 07:32 PM

The average for my recently engaged friends seems to be in the 8-12k range. There are a couple outliers like 6 or 17, but for the most part it seems to hover around 10.

Wine&SilverBlue · #7 03-06-2007, 08:08 PM

I'm a girl, so I don't plan on buying one. Just curious

FLaNeL34 · #8 03-19-2007, 10:25 PM

Honestly if the girl loves you she will be happy with whatever ring you get her... and that is the way it should be... if not than all the girl really cares about is what you can give her and buy her... lets get real here

PeppyGPhiB · #9 03-22-2007, 01:32 AM

What is all this about "upgrading" an ENGAGEMENT ring? Engagement rings are tokens of love and commitment before a wedding. I don't think I would ever want my engagement ring to be upgraded...it would lose its meaning for me.

I'd rather have my wedding ring upgraded, or get a new (additional) ring for an anniversary.

Also, not all diamonds are blood diamonds. Just wanted to point that out.

ISUKappa · #10 03-22-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

What is all this about "upgrading" an ENGAGEMENT ring? Engagement rings are tokens of love and commitment before a wedding. I don't think I would ever want my engagement ring to be upgraded...it would lose its meaning for me.

So I know this isn't quite what you're talking about, but my dad bought my mom a new wedding set for Christmas a few years ago for their 35th anniversary. Her original engagement ring had been sized and resized so much the band snapped and she couldn't wear it anymore. He had the local jeweler (the same place where he'd bought the original set 35 years previously) reset the diamond in a pendant.

The new set he bought was considerably larger, so in a sense she did upgrade, but still has her original diamond to wear. If I were ever to "upgrade", I would want something like that done to my diamond.

AlphaFrog · #11 03-22-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

What is all this about "upgrading" an ENGAGEMENT ring? Engagement rings are tokens of love and commitment before a wedding. I don't think I would ever want my engagement ring to be upgraded...it would lose its meaning for me.

I'd rather have my wedding ring upgraded, or get a new (additional) ring for an anniversary.

I'm just the opposite. The wedding ring was blessed at the ceramony, and a different/upgraded one would lose it's meaning.

BetteDavisEyes · #12 03-25-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm just the opposite. The wedding ring was blessed at the ceramony, and a different/upgraded one would lose it's meaning.

I have 2 friends (twins) who drive me crazy with their pathetic sibling rivalry. One got engaged & received a 1 carat ring so within 4 months, the other got engaged & got a 1.25 carat ring. Then the upgrading bullshit began. Within 2 months of each of them getting married, both started upgrading their rings. What was really dumb was that the upgraded rings looked nothing like the original solitaires each had. As of today, Twin #1 has upgraded her rings 5 times (I am not joking) and Twin #2 has upgraded hers 6 times. When I asked what they did with the original rings, both admitted they traded them in. They didn't even keep them. This just boggles me.

I love my rings and would never get rid of them. If for an anniversary Mike gave me more rings or jewelry, I'd appreciate it and thank him but I wouldn't wear other rings on my ring fingers.
I guess it's a good thing I'm not big into jewelry either. My wedding rings & a pair of earrings are about as much as I normally wear.

PeppyGPhiB · #13 03-22-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLaNeL34

Honestly if the girl loves you she will be happy with whatever ring you get her... and that is the way it should be... if not than all the girl really cares about is what you can give her and buy her... lets get real here

As much as I'd love to agree with this, I just can't. If my boyfriend who makes good money and is by no means poor gave me a really cheap engagement ring, I would be hurt. That doesn't mean I'd expect a big rock, but an obviously cheap one would send the message that he didn't think I was worth the investment.

OOhsoflyDELTA#9 · #14 03-22-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

As much as I'd love to agree with this, I just can't. If my boyfriend who makes good money and is by no means poor gave me a really cheap engagement ring, I would be hurt. That doesn't mean I'd expect a big rock, but an obviously cheap one would send the message that he didn't think I was worth the investment.

exactly!!!

Glitter650 · #15 03-22-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

As much as I'd love to agree with this, I just can't. If my boyfriend who makes good money and is by no means poor gave me a really cheap engagement ring, I would be hurt. That doesn't mean I'd expect a big rock, but an obviously cheap one would send the message that he didn't think I was worth the investment.

I *Kinda* see your point... but what about investing in other things for your future like putting that extra few g's into savings for a down payment on a home for you two to share ? I personally would rather have an easier mortgage payment or nicer home than a 3 karat diamond.