Engagement Rings (merged)

A question about : Engagement Rings (merged)

How much should I be spending on an engagement ring, I have no idea how much rings cost normally so it's difficult to compare. Obviously I know what type I'm looking for but with these types of purchases (ie for the woman) I find it's important to get the cost/quality ratio correct!

Please help!

Best answers:

• I read somewhere that you should spend a months wages Dunno if that's gross or net pay lol ;D
  Hubby looked at expensive ones for me but the only one I liked was about Ј20, that was 15 years ago though ;D
• spend what you can afford. no pooint getting into debt before you start. (oh and my brother says keep the reciept, i apologise for him!! don't normally let him sit in)
• Being the lucky recipient of an engagement ring only a few weeks ago I can safely say 'spend all your savings!!!! ;D'
  No really, do you know what kind of ring she wants? ???Solitaire, cluster, diamond or other stone? If it's a classic solitaire then do you know what style your good lady likes? You pay more for a square diamond or other fancy shape, than you would a 'round' one.
  Also my theory is, think what you will spend on your wedding, that's just one day. Now imagine that your future wife will be looking at the ring on her finger for the rest of her life. I know what I'd rather spend the most on ;D!
  My advice would be to try and find out what she would like, then look 'everywhere' for the nicest one that you can comfortably afford.
  keep us updated though... we like a good wedding on here don't we ladies? (and gents) :-*
• Have to agree with whats been said.
  Spend what you can afford. I love my engagement ring. It is quite unusual and has an amethyst as my hubby knows how much I love them. I love the fact that he picked it for me and it was a complete suprise.
  Think it probably cost about Ј100 ish 3 years ago.
  Good luck
• Definately check what type she likes. My hubby to be was looking to buy me a diamond solitaire ring then I saw a pink sapphire ring that I thought suited me more. He bought a similar one in an ebay shop for Ј60 and I can honestly say it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
  Good Luck!
• Take her to Argos and rip out the expensive pages ....
  on a different tact, it may be worth sounding out a jeweller to make the ring. We got my wifes ring made to order(she had ideas what she liked and saw some in shops that she liked but weren't exactly what she'd wanted) we took some drawings in and they made it as she wanted for more or less same price as the shop did, they also then made the wedding ring to match the shape perfectly so they sat right on her finger and did my wedding ring at same time. *lovingly strokes stored up brownie points*
  it just adds that little extra that you know yours is 'one' of a kind and not the same as anyone elses really
• no, so long as she likes it, thats all that counts.
• When I got married, I got my wife's engagement ring, and both our wedding rings from Slovakia (my wife is Slovak).
  I always thought that UK jewellers overpriced their products, so we got a brochure from a posh UK jewellers, my wife picked the rings she wanted, and we then took the brochure to Slovakia, and had the rings made for us.
  The price in UK jewellers would have been about Ј2000.00, but we had them made in Slovakia for Ј150.00 (all hallmarked ect)
• The rule of thumb is two months salary.
  Some might think this is a bit much but if youre planning on doing this one once then its worth the investment! But make sure you get value for money!
  Go to your local goldsmith (fine them in yellow pages) he can make something unique exactly how u want it.He will be able to advise you on stones and styles, dont be afraid to ask questions, thats wot hes there for.
  Remember this is something she'll have been dreaming about her engagement ring forever so get it just right, it will be worth it!!
  Good luck!!!! ;D ;D
• It did have me fooled :-[
• what, lost me altogether.
• 160 - look at who starts thread & replies compared to what macchicken says.
• got it. sorry bit slow this morning.
• I can confirm there is no link between macchicken and myself!
  However, I do find women are more inclined to say you should lose your life savings on a rock, although justifying it by saying they've dreamt of it all their lives doesn't really cut it. I've had plenty of dreams!....
  Many people have suggested customising rings which I'm interested in, although would like to do it without her knowing really. That's half the fun isn't it, proposing with the actual ring there??
  Am looking to buy in the next month so will come back and keep you all posted.
• hehehe I made up the bit about them being partners , it just looked like a perfect setup by a prospective fiance getting that little bit extra spent on her
  sorry spendless
  as for proposing with the ring, I agree on one hand but then on the other hand theres proposing without a ring then they can choose the ring themselevs and get exactly what they always dreamt off. Works both ways, sure they are thrilled whatever happens
  (you could always time it so that your fiance has just told her parents that you're unlikely to propose anytime soon so they start spending what they'd saved for her wedding on that years holiday!) :