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re: How much should I be looking to spend for an engagement ring?
Posted on 9/22/25 at 8:59 am to Stevo
Posted on 9/22/25 at 8:59 am to Stevo
quote:
you can't hold a reception at the VFW for that.
Ceremony at the court house, think it cost us like 150 overall.
Nice dinner for the limited people invited night before, around 1,200.
Rented out a portion of a brewery for the party after, like 2k minimum for food/beverage for 4 hours.
All in, less than 3.5k, and didn't set up a gift registry. Wrote hand made notes to people that weren't invited acknowledging that while they were family, we wanted to keep it small due to the courthouse rules, and made sure to politely decline any potential gifts.
Spent our money and only our money so there would be no "last minute additions" or any shenanigans.
0
Posted on 9/22/25 at 8:59 am to jlovel7
quote:
jlovel7
Agree with everything he said.
Remember that when it's on her hand and not sitting next to other diamonds, you'll never notice the imperfections, size, etc. That's how they upsell you in the jewelery store. You can go right below a "benchmark" to save a little too (0.9 carat vs 1 carat).
As far as design, find out what she wants. It doesn't have to be exact but figure out the style of the setting and the cut because she has to wear it forever. I agree with getting something timeless but ultimately she's the one wearing it. When we went ring shopping, I brought her with me to try on a bunch of different ones (this matters because what she thinks she likes and what looks good on her hand are vastly different), I took notes of all the attributes of each ring she liked, and had the jeweler custom make a ring for her.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:02 am to Arthur Bach
quote:
She lost her debit card, while waiting for it, her Spotify lapsed. So she started listening to the radio. Radio has a contest and she decided on a whim to enter it. She won a 1.25 diamond ring. The jeweler said they’d work with me on an upgrade. So at the end of the day, I’ll spend $6K.
6k for the band? Or you're trading the diamond in and spending an additional 6k? A 6k band better have a lot of stuff on it ha.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:02 am to Arthur Bach
I got lucky and was able to use my grandmother's ring. Cost $350 (seriously) to have it cleaned, reset, and resized. If you don't have access to a family heirloom maybe buy an antique ring and make up a story about it to save money.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:06 am to UptownJoeBrown
quote:
Blue Nile Then have it set.
I originally bought from them and it was so awful I had to send it back.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:09 am to Arthur Bach
NB4 dudes who have $18k stainless steel Rolex tell you to spend no more than $500 or buy a lab grown diamond
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:09 am to Arthur Bach
Bad news: spending thousands of dollars on a piece of rock and metal has nothing to do with getting married or a marriage.
This post was edited on 9/22/25 at 9:14 am
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:18 am to Arthur Bach
Everything you own.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:21 am to Arthur Bach
Michael Scott says three years salary.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:24 am to Arthur Bach
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:25 am to Arthur Bach
You should be marrying a woman who doesn't think you should spend a fortune on a ring.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:27 am to prostyleoffensetime
quote:
Thoughts and prayers to the baws that have to tread these waters.
Forked out $$ for a 3.75 carat diamond, don’t wish it on my worst enemy. Kept telling myself, spoil her now and I’m off the hook on diamonds for a while
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:28 am to Jcorye1
quote:
6k for the band? Or you're trading the diamond in and spending an additional 6k? A 6k band better have a lot of stuff on it ha.
$6K for everything.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:34 am to YungBuck
quote:
Forked out $$ for a 3.75 carat diamond, don’t wish it on my worst enemy. Kept telling myself, spoil her now and I’m off the hook on diamonds for a while
I hope you were making about $500k per year at the time. Otherwise this is just nuts
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:36 am to BabyTac
quote:
3 months salary
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:39 am to Arthur Bach
The rule used to be that the resale value of the ring should be equal to about two months salary. The reasoning behind it was that if something happened to the husband such as an accident or other reason for the loss of life, the surviving wife (widow) would have something as a cushion to fall back on without suddenly finding herself out on the street with ne means of support.
In modern times, spend what you think is reasonable. I paid $3,800 for my wife's ring 25 years ago. It has appreciated enough in value over that time to hold its own. I think $6,000 could be considered reasonable depending upon an individual's current financial standing. However, in today's world it's not uncommon to have her accompany you to select the ring she would like, and that can make things a lot easier for both of you. There's no need to present it as a surprise to her like a Hallmark movie.
In modern times, spend what you think is reasonable. I paid $3,800 for my wife's ring 25 years ago. It has appreciated enough in value over that time to hold its own. I think $6,000 could be considered reasonable depending upon an individual's current financial standing. However, in today's world it's not uncommon to have her accompany you to select the ring she would like, and that can make things a lot easier for both of you. There's no need to present it as a surprise to her like a Hallmark movie.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:45 am to Arthur Bach
Go to one of those cheesey gem mines in the smokies. Get a clear quartz and have them cut it to your liking. Then take it to a jeweler and have them mount it on whatever you like. A jeweler can only tell the difference because the clear quartz will be flawless.
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:51 am to Arthur Bach
Look into lab-made diamonds and other gems! Virtually perfect, and much more affordable than earth-made ones. And no, they're not 'fake.'
Posted on 9/22/25 at 9:55 am to Arthur Bach
I spent $4k in 1999. Thought that was a lot, but maybe it wasn't... it was enough for me...
Hearts on Fire diamond. She still wears it after 25 years.
Hearts on Fire diamond. She still wears it after 25 years.
This post was edited on 9/22/25 at 11:32 am
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