% of salary - what's a reasonable amount to spend on engagement ring?
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my husband actually did spend two months salary on my ring though 
(i too have a t&co round solitare)
(i too have a t&co round solitare)
I have heard 3 months. But I think 3 months salary is crazy at times. Don't get me wrong, it would be GREAT to have a great big rock, but 3 months salary is a lot of money. This is also considering that many people are around the age of buying a house (or wanting to), putting money into savings, etc.
I come from the most fiscally minded conservative father in the world. He did not propose with a ring to my mom, because he did not have the money at the time nor did he think that held huge value. Not to mention, if he bought the ring he would go into debt- and he pretty much refuses to do that.
I won't lie, I would love a big ring!!! But at the same time I always think of the meaning behind the ring. The symbolism of what the ring will stand for. And since at this point in my life there are very important other investments to be made, I am not stressing over the 3 month, etc, etc, etc ordeal. I am just happy thinking about being engaged and moving to that next stage in life
A dream ring can come later!
I come from the most fiscally minded conservative father in the world. He did not propose with a ring to my mom, because he did not have the money at the time nor did he think that held huge value. Not to mention, if he bought the ring he would go into debt- and he pretty much refuses to do that.
I won't lie, I would love a big ring!!! But at the same time I always think of the meaning behind the ring. The symbolism of what the ring will stand for. And since at this point in my life there are very important other investments to be made, I am not stressing over the 3 month, etc, etc, etc ordeal. I am just happy thinking about being engaged and moving to that next stage in life
A dream ring can come later!
I have a platinum band set with pave diamonds and it is totally me. But, I am not much of a jewelry person. I think the ring is the symbol, not the stone. Buy what you are comfortable with and upgrade later for a monumental anniversary. I am in my late 40's and am always amazed at how everyone has to have it all right now. My Mom got her bigger diamond for their 25th anniversary.
My parents celebrated their 65th anniversary last October and still have the romance that I hope to have after that many years! The love is more important than anything, KWIM??
My parents celebrated their 65th anniversary last October and still have the romance that I hope to have after that many years! The love is more important than anything, KWIM??
ITA!!! :true:
I feel bad for the poor man with a woman with unrealistic expectations
My ring is a 1.3 carat from Tiffany. I tried on many rings some huge!
I went in with a particular ring in mind. I wanted nothing else.
When I tried it on,I hated it on me.
When I tried on my ring,it was me.
I can tell you it was not even close to 2 months of my husbands salary!
I went in with a particular ring in mind. I wanted nothing else.
When I tried it on,I hated it on me.
When I tried on my ring,it was me.
I can tell you it was not even close to 2 months of my husbands salary!
^interesting. . .
the ring will be around forever, but the car won't.
i know right? it is a completely arbitrary figure my brain is stuck on. i guess it's not any more arbitrary than 2 mos. salary though.
i think it's because i know in my situation that the ring won't be around forever (for example i've had one car in the time we've been together but three rings). what's appropriate to your situation in your 20s is not the same as your 50s...not to mention your tastes change as well. i'm completely in the upgrade camp....you get to "earn" the bigger ring by investing in your relationship. it's a win/win.
^^^ I did this too and also ended up with a ring I love that is nothing like the one I thought I would love.
The "perfect" ring can be in any size, shape, color, clarity, and doesn't have to be a diamond or even a stone at all! It's about falling in love with your ring, just like you've fallen in love with the man giving it to you!
The "perfect" ring can be in any size, shape, color, clarity, and doesn't have to be a diamond or even a stone at all! It's about falling in love with your ring, just like you've fallen in love with the man giving it to you!
to me, there is no specific %. I believed hubby examined his bank account and our future plans before he decided how much to spend.
Many jewelers allow their customers to upgrade their blings bought from them these days. I think that's a good option, if your sig other feels that the current ring would cost a kidney *grin*
I don't think it will lose its meaning since you two are buying/ upgrading it together for a common purpose.
well, that's how I feel.
Many jewelers allow their customers to upgrade their blings bought from them these days. I think that's a good option, if your sig other feels that the current ring would cost a kidney *grin*
I don't think it will lose its meaning since you two are buying/ upgrading it together for a common purpose.
well, that's how I feel.
I don't believe in the 2 mos salary thing. It's all about what you can reasonably afford & be comfortable with. Bigger isn't always better.
I have a 1.35 center stone & honestly on my tiny hand that's perfect.
My set combined was less than 2 mos salary. Why pay more if you don't need/want more? Some people don't even like/want diamonds for an engagement ring - although Debeers would have you think otherwise.
I actually had wanted a museum quality round tanzanite, but it's a softer stone so I gave that up.
I also think upgrading is fine & doesn't at all take any meaning away.
My husb already knows when I inherit my moms e-ring (lot of sentimental value to me) I will be making a custom 3 stone ring with my diamond, her diamond, and a new stone. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that & my husb is all for it, in fact it will be a more meaningful ring to me. Meaning is the feeling & actions behind the ring - not the ring itself.
I have a 1.35 center stone & honestly on my tiny hand that's perfect.
My set combined was less than 2 mos salary. Why pay more if you don't need/want more? Some people don't even like/want diamonds for an engagement ring - although Debeers would have you think otherwise.
I actually had wanted a museum quality round tanzanite, but it's a softer stone so I gave that up.
I also think upgrading is fine & doesn't at all take any meaning away.
My husb already knows when I inherit my moms e-ring (lot of sentimental value to me) I will be making a custom 3 stone ring with my diamond, her diamond, and a new stone. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that & my husb is all for it, in fact it will be a more meaningful ring to me. Meaning is the feeling & actions behind the ring - not the ring itself.
I have to agree with the other posts, the 2-month salary guideline was invented for an advertising campaign. Apologies from my chosen profession.
I also agree with others that the size/cost of your ring depends entirely on your financial situation. DH and I got married "late." I was 35. Because of that, we had a lot more to spend than if I was only 25. We did a TON of research first and then determined our budget based on the size that I wanted. We also saved thousands of dollars by going to a wholesaler as opposed to going to a chain jeweler like Tiffany or Cartier. My ring was about 1/3 the price if we had gone to a high end store.
I also agree with others that the size/cost of your ring depends entirely on your financial situation. DH and I got married "late." I was 35. Because of that, we had a lot more to spend than if I was only 25. We did a TON of research first and then determined our budget based on the size that I wanted. We also saved thousands of dollars by going to a wholesaler as opposed to going to a chain jeweler like Tiffany or Cartier. My ring was about 1/3 the price if we had gone to a high end store.