PS (just posted a second ago). You DO NOT need to buy an AMORA or whatever they are called. That is also nonsense. A regular (WELL CUT) CZ is all you need. We got ours from this guy: http://winkcz.com/

He is the nicest, most knowledgable man, and you'll be amazed by the quality of the stone. They are about $60. Buy one and have it sent to your house. It's so inexpensive that you can afford to check it out. If you don't like it you can return it anyway.

It is a good idea to buy a back up stone or two as well, as a CZ could crack more easily than a diamond.

Really tacky cheap rings maybe a lot of cheap husbands

I don't know if this has already been said because I didn't read the comments. But I have a to die for gorgeous ring. And it cost $3000.

How? It is a Cubic Zirconia, and not a soul can tell. We bought the stone (equivalent of 2 carats), and had a very good jeweler set it in 18k rose gold with some side stones. It is immaculate.

DO NOT FINANCE A RING!!!! That is crazy town.

Widow here. No engagement ring. No wedding ring. Married 'till death did us part.

OP, there's something called an Amora Gem (look up BetterThanDiamond.com) that is a very realistic-looking diamond alternative that is a fraction of what a diamond would cost. That might be an option.

I agree with everyone else. Don't finance a ring! My husband did and though it was not very much money, it still was more than he could afford at the time and I should've stuck to my principles.

Personally, I would scour pre-loved jewelry sites (DiamondBistro.com and LoupeTroop.com come to mind) and purchase something within your budget. I don't know how old your child is, but I have two and they get expensive At this point, especially because you are quite young and have many years of earning power before you, I would go with a very modest budget, or at least whatever you have in cash that you want to spend. I would buy either a more traditional engagement ring within that budget or get a kick-ass diamond eternity ring or 5, 7, or 9 stone band and pair it with a thin plain wedding band (though I know that idea is less appealing to many).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want bling, get a CZ ring. No one will be able to tell the difference looking at your hand.

Lol OP here. I thought it would be silly to do this. Can you really not tell the difference??? I feel like I'm being cheap but this isn't a bad idea, PP! Aren't they just a few hundred bucks? Lol

Yeah, I'd say a few hundred. You want something in a credible size with a tasteful setting. Do a DCUM search because I know there was a thread on this and I believe someone recommended a website. And no, unless the ring is huge and gaudy, most people won't suspect it is not the real thing, and you certainly don't need to disclose that fact.

OP here. Makes sense. Thank you!! I will search DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want bling, get a CZ ring. No one will be able to tell the difference looking at your hand.

Lol OP here. I thought it would be silly to do this. Can you really not tell the difference??? I feel like I'm being cheap but this isn't a bad idea, PP! Aren't they just a few hundred bucks? Lol

Yeah, I'd say a few hundred. You want something in a credible size with a tasteful setting. Do a DCUM search because I know there was a thread on this and I believe someone recommended a website. And no, unless the ring is huge and gaudy, most people won't suspect it is not the real thing, and you certainly don't need to disclose that fact.

Anonymous wrote:My boyfriend and I have started thinking about a budget for an engagement ring, for when (or if lol) he decides to make the purchase. We are middle class, with a combined income of around $110k. We live together and have one child, spending an average amount of money (i guess?) on bills. How much did you spend on the ring for your financee/wife? Did you go by the 3 months income "rule"? We are curious as to what others budgeted. Thanks!

Why bother with an engagement ring when what you really should have a wedding band.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20k is nothing to spend on your life partner who would be there until death do you part.

This is the dumbest comment. So, waste 20k on a ring for a life partner... Where most marriages now end in divorce or, at the very least, become sexless. Since a 20k ring is not necessary, I think a 20k ring warrants 2 blowjobs a day for life. Otherwise, a $1000 ring will suffice.

The greed some have...

Someone wanted to know how to deserve a ring? Here's you answer

Anonymous wrote:sad that in america people spend more on their cars than on their marriage

It's actually sadder that in America people are that much into geo science LOL

Anonymous wrote:20k is nothing to spend on your life partner who would be there until death do you part.

This is the dumbest comment. So, waste 20k on a ring for a life partner... Where most marriages now end in divorce or, at the very least, become sexless. Since a 20k ring is not necessary, I think a 20k ring warrants 2 blowjobs a day for life. Otherwise, a $1000 ring will suffice.

The greed some have...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this, 1925? Both a man and woman should pay equally (we did).

You bought half of your own ring? Gross.

Do you not do joint finances? By the time it came time for engagement ring shopping, we definitely saw our finances as tied together.

No way would I pay for half my ring and I make way more than my fiance. I would be fine with a smaller ring and definetly wouldn't want him financing a ring because our finacnes would be joint. But, sorry, there is something still to be said for the man paying for the ring entirely.

"...but I demand equal rights for everything else."

But why would I go half for a present for myself? That is silly. It is essentially a gift. An engagment ring is given by the man in consideration of the woman accepting the reqeust to marry. If the woman does not go through with the marrioage, the man can legally request that the ring that was given in consideration be given back. Why would I pay for half of that? If he is able to get it back if we don't marry. Even if one were to consider it a gift, why would I go half on a gift for me?

Would I force him to accept less of a birthday present because he earns less? Feminism has gone to far when you are not allowed to ask that a gift be given to you without you chipping in.

But the problem is, feminism doesn't stop at equality. It wants the men to "pay reparations." So, they want equal everything else AND chivalry AND *certain* traditions, like the man should still by the ring and initiate the marriage. But... Now that we have all that out of the way, "Don't think I'm going to change my name to yours. That is so sexist."

I suspect feminism wasn't born with the mentality of the shit it has become.

I'm a woman. I wouldn't want any diamond ring, ever. A unique wedding band is meaningful but I believe the diamond industry is corrupt. Also, I dislike crazy expensive gifts.

I proposed to my fiancé on valentines day. The ring was around $22,000. It's a 3 carat Asscher cut ring.

I believe it's two months salary. I own a very lucrative business and wanted to buy her the best ring I knew she would love. I would be much more practical if I did not have a high-earning income.

Anonymous wrote:20k is nothing to spend on your life partner who would be there until death do you part.

Say what now? I've been married 15 years and I still haven't spend $20K on any single item for her.

I am happy to say she'd probably make me take it back if I did.