How much do men really spend on engagement rings?

[Anonymous]

Mine was $8k, too much in retrospect. $20k is over the top, IMO. Is your girl materialistic?

[Anonymous]

The bigger the ring, the smaller the penis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a waste of money.

This. Who the hell spends $25k or more on a ring. I know you can insure it, but imagine if you lost it! My ring was a little under $2k, 8 years ago, and even that I thought was a bit much. And not because we couldn't afford it -- we were both in Biglaw -- but because we would far rather have put that money into a mortgage, wedding, or savings than to wear it on a finger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm about to propose to my girlfriend of two years. The general rule of thumb is 2-3 months salary but I've seen stories of men paying $ 75 - 100k for a ring. My girl deserves the best but has unique tastes. She prefers cushion or Asscher cut instead of princess or round. I can't afford to spend 75+ on a ring. I'm more in the $20 - 50k range.

Don't spend more than 1% of the house you own. If you can't afford a house, spend $2k max.

[Anonymous]

God. Spend 10K on the ring, it will still be fabulous, and put the rest of the money toward a new home, a breathtaking honeymoon, whatever. I would never be able to breathe worrying about losing or having stolen a 50K ring.

[Anonymous]

The 2-3 months of salary guide was nothing more than a marketing ploy.

[Anonymous]

I have a vintage deco sapphire and platinum ring. About 3k. Love it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue you will have is finding a quality diamond in those cuts. I wanted a cushion cut, but there was virtually nothing to choose from that was a quality diamond. I ended up with a really high quality round diamond instead.

Untrue. There are quality diamonds in those cuts but you are paying more. I bought my wife an Asscher cut diamond from Blue Nile. 2 carat, VVS2 clarity, D color, and excellent symmetry. I paid a little under 50k for the ring.

Op, go to Blue Nile. They have great quality diamonds in your price range. Congrats

You spent $50k On Blue Nile?? Oh-Kay..


http://freakonomics.com/2015/04/16/diamonds-are-a-marriage-counselors-best-friend-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm about to propose to my girlfriend of two years. The general rule of thumb is 2-3 months salary but I've seen stories of men paying $ 75 - 100k for a ring. My girl deserves the best but has unique tastes. She prefers cushion or Asscher cut instead of princess or round. I can't afford to spend 75+ on a ring. I'm more in the $20 - 50k range.

Don't spend more than 1% of the house you own. If you can't afford a house, spend $2k max.

Best diamond buying advice I have ever read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm about to propose to my girlfriend of two years. The general rule of thumb is 2-3 months salary but I've seen stories of men paying $ 75 - 100k for a ring. My girl deserves the best but has unique tastes. She prefers cushion or Asscher cut instead of princess or round. I can't afford to spend 75+ on a ring. I'm more in the $20 - 50k range.

Don't spend more than 1% of the house you own. If you can't afford a house, spend $2k max.

Best diamond buying advice I have ever read.

+1. My DH spent about $10k on mine and our house is worth about $900k (we bought before we married). Looking back, $10k was probably still too much. We also did Blue Nile, a good $2k less than stores (even jewelry exchange).

[Anonymous]

$20-25 can get you a really awesome ring. Avoid Tiffanys.

In general, the older the bride (and the groom), the bigger the ring. There is a current movement toward less ostentatious rings, but in practice -- most women still love a big rock, especially in DC.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into vintage rings at Tiny Jewel Box? They tend to be more interesting, and you can get a very nice ring for less than $20K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue you will have is finding a quality diamond in those cuts. I wanted a cushion cut, but there was virtually nothing to choose from that was a quality diamond. I ended up with a really high quality round diamond instead.

Untrue. There are quality diamonds in those cuts but you are paying more. I bought my wife an Asscher cut diamond from Blue Nile. 2 carat, VVS2 clarity, D color, and excellent symmetry. I paid a little under 50k for the ring.

Op, go to Blue Nile. They have great quality diamonds in your price range. Congrats

There are zero cushion cut diamonds that are well-cut and have good characteristics. I just looked. There are a few asscher cut diamonds, but they are pretty garish looking.

[Anonymous]

OP, you'll get way more for your money if you deal with a reputable out of state dealer. We put the savings on sales tax back into the ring. (And yeah, I mean "we," because we picked the ring out together.)

My ring is from Brian Gavin. Love them.

If your fiancee wants an eternity band for her wedding ring, I highly recommend getting one that's 3/4 of the way around. This leaves some metal in case it needs to be resized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue you will have is finding a quality diamond in those cuts. I wanted a cushion cut, but there was virtually nothing to choose from that was a quality diamond. I ended up with a really high quality round diamond instead.

Untrue. There are quality diamonds in those cuts but you are paying more. I bought my wife an Asscher cut diamond from Blue Nile. 2 carat, VVS2 clarity, D color, and excellent symmetry. I paid a little under 50k for the ring.

Op, go to Blue Nile. They have great quality diamonds in your price range. Congrats

There are zero cushion cut diamonds that are well-cut and have good characteristics. I just looked. There are a few asscher cut diamonds, but they are pretty garish looking.

You do not know diamonds, my dear. Blue Nile is of the best. I just checked and they have spectacular rings that are sig. ideal, D-F, etc.

Blue Nile does not show you the actual diamond itself once ordered, only the specs. I called and had them send over images of the actual diamond purchase. My wife's ring is flawless and she loves it. All of her friends are envious of it.

OP, spend as much as you want. It's your $.