Average price of an engagement ring?

KSigkid · #1 03-09-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

A good quality 1ct diamond is going to cost about $12,000

Actually, this isn't necessarily true. I just think that if people go into it with what they have to spend, they're going to get taken for a ride.

angelic1 · #2 03-09-2007, 11:46 AM

My boyfriend and I have been discussing this stuff a bunch later. I have told him that I just want a really nice diamond thats it, he can get me a small one or bigger one - but just make sure its good quality because you can always change/upgrade it later down the road for like an anniversary.

This is a little off topic...

We have just been talking about money situations lately, and I don't see how some people our age (Mid-20s) can afford to get engaged, get a house, and get married without their parents basically doing it for them. We both come from families (my parents will help some) that we will be paying for all of this pretty much on our own.

We both have really good jobs, and have been saving money, but feel like we are choosing a house or getting married now. Of course, everyone would rather see us get married first, but I hate wasting money living in seperate apartments.

#3 03-09-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Actually, this isn't necessarily true. I just think that if people go into it with what they have to spend, they're going to get taken for a ride.

When my fiance got my ring he wen to a family friend who got him a good deal. The 1 ct he was looking at was 12k..just the diamond. Really good quality diamond, expensive retail place. I didn't say it was right, just what he told me.

Laboratory created diamonds are significantly cheapter, too.

xo_kathy · #4 03-09-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

When my fiance got my ring he wen to a family friend who got him a good deal. The 1 ct he was looking at was 12k..just the diamond. Really good quality diamond, expensive retail place. I didn't say it was right, just what he told me.

Laboratory created diamonds are significantly cheapter, too.

Expensive retail place...ding, ding, ding! He paid too much, sorry. Never pay retail!

I have 1.5 plus some side stones to make the whole thing just over 2cts, set in platinum - whole thing was less than 10K. Now, it's not a "perfect" diamond (no one aside from a jewler with his scope thingy is ever going to know that from looking at it), but all the stones in the the ring are very good quality. My husband went to the diamond district in NYC, but even when he went to a local jewler in town he saw a flawless 1 ct, it was still less than 10K mounted in platinum.

#5 03-09-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Expensive retail place...ding, ding, ding! He paid too much, sorry. Never pay retail!

I have 1.5 plus some side stones to make the whole thing just over 2cts, set in platinum - whole thing was less than 10K. Now, it's not a "perfect" diamond (no one aside from a jewler with his scope thingy is ever going to know that from looking at it), but all the stones in the the ring are very good quality. My husband went to the diamond district in NYC, but even when he went to a local jewler in town he saw a flawless 1 ct, it was still less than 10K mounted in platinum.

He didn't pay 12k--not nearly, but that's what they were selling it as. That's the reason you go to places where you know the people. I definately agree that the diamond district is the way to go-- especially if you don't actually know the jewler.

GeekyPenguin · #6 03-09-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

He didn't pay 12k--not nearly, but that's what they were selling it as. That's the reason you go to places where you know the people. I definately agree that the diamond district is the way to go-- especially if you don't actually know the jewler.

Maybe if he hadn't blown all that money on a ring you could have had a big wedding with your family instead of a destination wedding. But here's an appropriate venue for you:

http://www.bdb.co.za/kimberley/

AlphaFrog · #7 03-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

Maybe if he hadn't blown all that money on a ring you could have had a big wedding with your family instead of a destination wedding.

It's funny because it's true.

Although I guess you could say that a wedding is a one-day thing, and she'll have her engagment ring the rest of her life. (Or, if she doesn't beat the odds - until the divorce is final.)

ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl · #8 03-11-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

It's funny because it's true.

Although I guess you could say that a wedding is a one-day thing, and she'll have her engagment ring the rest of her life. (Or, if she doesn't beat the odds - until the divorce is final.)

I'm not one of those girls that's been planning her wedding since she was five. But I DO know (and I've told my parents this) that having an awesome time with my sisters and friends at the reception/party is more important to me than how many flowers I have in the church or whatnot. And as far as I'm concerenced...I mean, I would like to have a nice sized engagement ring, but my mom's is a fairly small solitaire and she's never upgraded (they easily could if they wanted) and I think it's gorgeous because it's so simple. I would rather my fiancee and I spend that money on a reception/party and a good honeymoon. The ring can be upgraded...and the important part is getting married, not flashing the rock. That's just a luxury, and not everyone gets that luxury...and that's ok.

KSigkid · #9 03-09-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

Maybe if he hadn't blown all that money on a ring you could have had a big wedding with your family instead of a destination wedding.

That's the thing - I didn't get the most expensive ring for my wife, but then again I couldn't afford it. We ended up with the wedding we wanted, and we were able to buy our first home this year.

I won't criticize someone for spending too much on ring/wedding/whatever, because people made comments to me, and it's not really any of their business how much I spent. It's not any of anyone's business what people spend on these things. At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with the amount, and it shouldn't negatively affect the rest of your life; that would kind of take away the point, right?

Munchkin03 · #10 03-10-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I won't criticize someone for spending too much on ring/wedding/whatever, because people made comments to me, and it's not really any of their business how much I spent. It's not any of anyone's business what people spend on these things. At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with the amount, and it shouldn't negatively affect the rest of your life; that would kind of take away the point, right?

But, I doubt your wife got on the internets talking about how much the ring you got her set you back. It's only someone's business when you advertise it, y'know? I have a hard time sympathizing with the little girls who come on here demanding a 2 carat diamond princess-cut solitaire in a platinum setting when they're not even engaged.

The long and short of this whole deal is, if you're concerned with how much a ring costs and how much someone should spend on it, then you're definitely not mature enough to get married.

#11 03-09-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

Maybe if he hadn't blown all that money on a ring you could have had a big wedding with your family instead of a destination wedding. But here's an appropriate venue for you:

http://www.bdb.co.za/kimberley/

I'm not sure what your problem is, but I'm not going to feel guilty about having a diamond ring. He didn't "blow" any money on my ring, either. It was a thoughtful, loving gift that he could afford. IF you had read what I wrote properly, you would have realized that he didn't pay $12,000 (not that there is anything wrong for those of you who do have a 12k ring). Also, I'm not sure what your idea of a big wedding is, but $12,000 doesn't buy much these days.

By the way, corruption touches a lot more than just diamonds (oil, healthcare, clothing, food...all thing I'm sure you use on a dialy basis), so don't think you're high and holy or super progressive because you watched some Leonardo DiCaprio movie, okay? Not to belittle the seriousness of the issue, as I am well aware of the blood diamond isssue.

No need for snotty remarks or unfounded personal attacks against me.

Have a lovely day.

GeekyPenguin · #12 03-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

I'm not sure what your problem is, but I'm not going to feel guilty about having a diamond ring. He didn't "blow" any money on my ring, either. It was a thoughtful, loving gift that he could afford. IF you had read what I wrote properly, you would have realized that he didn't pay $12,000 (not that there is anything wrong for those of you who do have a 12k ring). Also, I'm not sure what your idea of a big wedding is, but $12,000 doesn't buy much these days.

By the way, corruption touches a lot more than just diamonds (oil, healthcare, clothing, food...all thing I'm sure you use on a dialy basis), so don't think you're high and holy or super progressive because you watched some Leonardo DiCaprio movie, okay? Not to belittle the seriousness of the issue, as I am well aware of the blood diamond isssue.

No need for snotty remarks or unfounded personal attacks against me.

Have a lovely day.

The last Leonardo DiCaprio movie I watched was Romeo+Juliet so I'm not quite sure what you're talking about. I'm glad you're "aware" of the issue but you also should be "aware" of the fact that when you come on GC whining about not being able to afford a wedding and then say your fiance spent "nearly 12k" on a ring and that you can only get a good 1 carat ring if you spend that amount nobody is going to feel bad for you.

It's not unfounded when it's true.

AlexMack · #13 03-09-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

By the way, corruption touches a lot more than just diamonds (oil, healthcare, clothing, food...all thing I'm sure you use on a dialy basis), so don't think you're high and holy or super progressive because you watched some Leonardo DiCaprio movie, okay? Not to belittle the seriousness of the issue, as I am well aware of the blood diamond isssue.

If you're aware of it, do you know where your diamond came from? Did you ask? And to assume that people are socially conscious because of a movie is shallow.
http://www.nodirtygold.org
Try that one for starters. You're right; it's not just diamonds. The issues spread much farther out, all in the name of vanity. Me? I have an antique ring waiting for me.
For the record, Blood Diamond is an excellent way to publicize an issue that's been ongoing for years so don't belittle its impact on the general public.
http://www.maketradefair.com

valkyrie · #14 03-09-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinKathleenNJ

By the way, corruption touches a lot more than just diamonds (oil, healthcare, clothing, food...all thing I'm sure you use on a dialy basis), so don't think you're high and holy or super progressive because you watched some Leonardo DiCaprio movie, okay? Not to belittle the seriousness of the issue, as I am well aware of the blood diamond isssue.

I have strong opinions on diamonds, which I've refrained from stating on this thread because I'm trying to be nice. However, I have to comment on the above because this is NOT an effective argument. Just because there are all kinds of problems in the world does not mean someone can't address one specific problem. Also, your ad hominem attack based on an unwarranted assumption is not an effective argument.

AlexMack · #15 03-09-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

Maybe if he hadn't blown all that money on a ring you could have had a big wedding with your family instead of a destination wedding. But here's an appropriate venue for you:

http://www.bdb.co.za/kimberley/

She could stay at the DeBeers guest house :P