What is a fair amount to spend on a engagement ring , it seems my girlfriend is looking for something around 8 to 21 thousand , which I feel is a fair bit for a couple just starting out. what are your experiences or thoughts?

Allheart

Hi there,

Wow, that sure is alot of money. I would think whatever you can reasonably afford. I really don't think there is a scale that indicates what is the "norm". For the "Donald" that would be pocket change, for most that is a good bit of money.

Whatever your pockets can afford. Remember, it the meaning behind the ring that matters, not the price paid.

Hope that helps

Geoffersonairplane

Are we talking dollars or sterling???

I am a brit so I speak in £ but I can switch my brain to $ if you like??

Geoffersonairplane

Absolutely Allheart..

I agree.

Fr_Chuck

The diamond industry ( of course who have a vested interest) say you are suppose to spend 3 month salary.

Now on the honest side, I bought my wife a larger group of stones, and in real life it is too large to use or wear except for special occassions ( she works in a office and is a musician) Next you have to pay for special insurnace on it.

If you are going to pay alot for one, look into investment diamond quality, they hold their value alot better.

so if you are bringing in a couple hundred thousand a year, heck why no.
If you are making 30 to 50 K a year you may want to sit down and have an entire talk about budgets, bill paying and the cost of the entire wedding.

If she is happy with elopeing instead of a 10 K wedding, and getting a 10 K ring instead.

But you know being a ministers, most of the best couples I have married, do so on a 200 to 1000 ring and a 2000 or less wedding.
The others are in so much debt when they say I DO that the money troubles start from day one.

Geoffersonairplane

Price is not really important as Allheart says.

It is the meaning behind it. Do the best that you can afford based on your income.

I believe they say the norm is 1.5 times your annual gross salary..

Or is it net?? not sure>? Gross or Net?

Geoffersonairplane

Hey,

I just realised that you are the same guy from the other thread.

Is she materialistic?

I do think you need to sit down and talk about this problem she has with spending....

Seriously.

chuff

My first thought was $8000 to $21,000 is she out of her mind? I suppose it depends if you can afford that but my other question is should she be telling you how much she wants you to spend or just leave it up to you?

valinors_sorrow

I accepted a cigar band (LOL it was an expensive cigar) that he later made good on with a beautiful opal ring that I cherish very much so to some material value is not a concern! You might make sure its a conflict-free diamond, considered the new movie about to hit the theaters?

BlazingCold

What's a cigar band?