Engagement Rings

[d16hatch]

Hey all,

I am looking to pop the question this Fall/Winter. How much is too much to spend on a ring? The ring/set that I really want to get:
http://www.jewelryexchange.com/Weddi...te-Gold_pi4739

I love the design of the ring. I would get somewhere around a 1ct diamond for the center, so I'll probably be looking at ~6-7k if I went with jewelry exchange. Anyone know of any other good places to get engagement rings? I would like to spend 5-6k, but I guess I could go 6-7 haha.

Any suggestions?

[Elliott18t]

I got my GFs ring at nahoku it wasn't too expensive but looks beautiful.

This but white gold. (picture does not do it justice.)


she isn't into a big old diamond anyways (luckily for me i guess)

[d16hatch]

yeah my girlfriend doesn't want me to spend 5k on it, she thinks that is too much haha. She would say yes if i gave her a ring from walmart. But I really like some of the rings at jewelry exchange.

[TalonTsi97]

My cousin has a $10k ring, not because shes stuck up and wanted it (like many girls i see around today) but because her husband could afford it. We all think it was way over the top but if you got it and it didn't affect anything then whatever. I personally rather put the money towards the wedding, a house, appliances, etc etc etc.

It all comes down to what you have to spend and can comfortably do. I really don't want to put out much when the time comes because i feel like it can be spent better elsewhere. It's also nice having a gf i know i can get away with that at. I have some friends who are already whipped into paying $10k++++ on a ring or it won't be good enough.

[jpalamar]

I don't know your situation, but this is how I think. It isn't about how much you should spend... it is about what you can afford. If you have to put it on credit, you can't afford it. Same thing for the wedding stuff. No point starting your 'new' life together with financial burdons.

[angdefeo]

I don't know where you live but 3 of my close friends have bought engagement rings at Marche Jewlers on the white horse pike near Nicholson Road. They got certified diamonds with the highest rating.

The important thing no matter where you buy the ring and stone is to get a certified diamond. A certified stone comes with the certificate from the rating agency. Dont spend extra money on getting a "non blood" diamond. Blood diamonds cannot distinguished from non so don't pay extra. Becareful and take your time. Buying the ring shouldn't feel like buying a used car from a shady salesman. You can also checkout bluenile.com for diamond prices.

[httrdd]

I think spending $5,000+ is rediculos (unless you have it and more). I would rather spend that money on a house deposits, appliances, money toward the wedding, food and car mode. ;) who am I to say anythng I have been with the same girl and have a kid with her and still have not popped the question. Well its only been 6 years. Lol.

[d16hatch]

Yeah I have a few friends that spend 10k+ on a ring, but I can't afford that so I'm not going to do it (at least not while I'm paying off 75k of student loans). I have a bank account especially for the ring and I can afford 5-6k. Her parents are paying for our wedding and the honeymoon so I don't have to worry about that.

[WRXD]

+1 for www.bluenile.com

no B&M store can touch their prices on loose stones. They can build you a ring or just sell the loose stone and you can take it local.

Def. get it certified, mainly so it can be accurately insured if stolen.

Go smaller on the carat and higher quality on the rest-- it will look better and appear larger.

[jen.]

Originally Posted by TalonTsi97

I have some friends who are already whipped into paying $10k++++ on a ring or it won't be good enough.

I don't think I know anyone who has spent that much on a ring! Crazy.

Originally Posted by jpalamar

I don't know your situation, but this is how I think. It isn't about how much you should spend... it is about what you can afford. If you have to put it on credit, you can't afford it. Same thing for the wedding stuff. No point starting your 'new' life together with financial burdons.

This is basically what I was going to say. There's no way to say what you should or shouldn't spend--you know your finances best and what is affordable for you.

Plus, she won't care what the ring costs, just that you're the one giving it to her.

Originally Posted by WRXD

Def. get it certified, mainly so it can be accurately insured if stolen.

Go smaller on the carat and higher quality on the rest-- it will look better and appear larger.

I agree with this also, certification & insurance are important. Quality and cut can both make a huge difference on the appearance of the diamond as well.

[shar]

whyy is this not a complete surprise?? I didnt have a say on my ring, and I loveeee it, I also didnt know I was getting engaged... seems like you have the whole wedding figured out before she even said yes lol...

BUT the ring you showed is gorgeous, and if you have been planning and its in your budget then go for it! Make sure its insured and that they offer life time coverage, white gold is a very soft gold. Good luck!!

[KustomZ03]

Like other people said...if you have to finance it you spent too much. Don't want to start 'the rest of your lives' in debt.

[Subie_sleeper]

Check this out.



Sterling silver. My wife & I each started wearing one when we got engaged. $50.00 for each of them.

Yet the two rings are worth more to us than any chunk of compressed coal.

I got her a nice white gold wedding band that is made up of small infinity signs with 1 carat total weight of diamonds placed in the loops.

Mine is tungsten carbide.

I'm not suggesting that YOUR soon to be fiancée is like this..... Just a statement.

ANY woman who would put pressure on a man to get her an expensive ring for bragging rights.... or to try and equate your love with the amount of money you spent on it/her...... is NOT worth marrying.

If you WANT to go overboard for her then that's a totally different story. ;)

[d16hatch]

She has already told me she would say yes to a ring I got at walmart made of cubic zirconium. If I spent anywhere near 10k she said she wouldn't wear it and would make me take it back haha. I have the money to buy a ring that is 5-6k and want to spend that much on it (including the wedding band).

to shar...

It isn't a surprise for many reasons, mainly because of the circumstances and planning/decisions involved. Don't worry how and exactly when I'll ask is still a surprise haha.

[shar]

Originally Posted by d16hatch

to shar...

It isn't a surprise for many reasons, mainly because of the circumstances and planning/decisions involved. Don't worry how and exactly when I'll ask is still a surprise haha.

thats the best part!! goood luck!!! and be ready the engagement part flies by and before you know the wedding is over... so remember to take it alll in!

[Marina]

I think the norm is 2 months salary, but go with what you can afford.

Avoid magic sizes (1ct.), a diamond that is just under 1ct will cost less and the size difference between .9 and 1ct will not be noticeable.

Cut is the most important, after that color and clarity; get a certified diamond, GIA or AGS labs.

From online retailers, www.whiteflash.com gets my vote.

Good luck!

[KustomZ03]

Originally Posted by d16hatch

She has already told me she would say yes to a ring I got at walmart made of cubic zirconium. If I spent anywhere near 10k she said she wouldn't wear it and would make me take it back haha. I have the money to buy a ring that is 5-6k and want to spend that much on it (including the wedding band).

to shar...

It isn't a surprise for many reasons, mainly because of the circumstances and planning/decisions involved. Don't worry how and exactly when I'll ask is still a surprise haha.

Make sure shes is ok with you buying the band too. We had many convos about rings and such through the years and I knew I wanted to buy the bands since he obviously bought the engagement ring. I liked the idea of us both contributing.

[jesus_ralliart]

they used to say a month's pay is what you should spend. that went out the door....

my very good friend who recently broke up with his cheating gf was in a sticky spot up until they broke up. She wanted a ring for 15k and said she wouldnt marry him if he didnt buy it for her

so, this decision is up to you. I'd also check out ebay, I know that ive seen rings on there that ppl sell for dirt cheap. As long as your bride to be doesn't mind wearing a ring that was on another woman's finger.

[igo4bmx]

Just an FYI gold and diamond prices are higher than ever.


just buy within your means

[cmr076]

Originally Posted by jesus_ralliart

I'd also check out ebay, I know that ive seen rings on there that ppl sell for dirt cheap. As long as your bride to be doesn't mind wearing a ring that was on another woman's finger.

haha i literally laughed out loud imagining my womans reaction to a "used" engagement ring