GUYS: HOW MUCH WOUND U SPEND ON A RING

Mainebikerchick

about tree fiddy.

:laugh:

ClawCat

There is not a set amount. Choose a ring you like within a range you can afford. Simple as that.

jesusHchris

The diamond industry says you should spend three months' salary.

It's funny how we let the diamond industry tell us how much we should be spending on diamonds.

born2drum

I'd rather spend the money on a down payment on a home but you can find a decent 1.5ct princess cut for under $3000

dirty_dirty_eater

I splurged on the ring. $4k almost 20 years ago.
On the other hand, we had a very modest wedding that we paid for and a honeymoon paid for by her parents, so we were mindful of not starting married life in debt.

liftingheavy1

get a fugazi

rheum109

I would not spend more then you are comfortable with, but it has to be something you would wear with pride, as it is a symbol of your love not your bank account (IMO)

pinkledoodledoo

I'm married to my 2nd hubby... 1st hubby spent $1800 on a diamond solitaire ring that I kept after our divorce... 2nd hubby got to trade in my first hubby's ring for $2500 and got a $5k engagement ring for me for only $2500. He only spent that though after saving up for it.

ketomama34

I think we spent around $200 for the engagement ring which was actually a promise ring (at Zales). Then got the wedding band for $350. My finger started breaking out because the rings were open backed and water was getting trapped, so we went in to see what they could do. They said as long as you spend $200 dollars more than you originally paid per ring you can upgrade and you get the full price you paid to use towards the new rings! So remember you can spend less now and upgrade later when its easier to afford.

contingencyplan

There is a very old tradition that has been around as long as the idea of wedding rings themselves that the man must spend 3 months salary on a wedding ring. I feel, however, that this is an outdated tradition that is unrealistic in today's day and age because back then it was relatively easy for a man to get a job that pays enough money to support a family with no additional income. Changes in the economy (cost of living vs. income) mean that a much smaller portion of the population will be able to get a job that can pay that kind of money.

quiksylver296

Find a ring you like, and that you're both comfortable with spending the money on.

10 years ago I go my wife's ring for about $3500 (after haggling) and had it appraised for more than double that (for insurance purposes). I always tell her she needs to lose it.

That's about where we were to, but we've been married 15 years. I have no idea what wedding rings cost now.

ETA: We also got married at the courthouse on a Monday morning and I wore a $20 dress.

Judith652

If your fiancé is going to save make it for your future together, a deposit on a house or something.

My engagement ring was £99 and my wedding ring was £11.25. We started the way we meant to go on and as a result we will be 17 years happily married this year, plenty of cross words but never over money. I'd rather spend lots of money on a fantastic holiday creating memories or a home for our family.

I should say he's not a total cheapskate, this Christmas he did surprise me with the type of ring I've always wanted, but true to form he got it on sale!

j75j75

When I was 20 I was an idiot an got engaged. I dropped $10,000 on the ring. Never again...

alpine1994

I would definitely go with a really inexpensive ring and then upgrade on an anniversary like someone else said.

eahill4

The ring doesn't make the marriage last.

JesseDP00

Society has made us all believe we need to run out and spend two months salary or more on a ring - it's laughable. Spend that money on your time together, do not go in debt - it doesn't mean you love each other less if you have smaller rings. There are a ton of divorces out there had gigantic wings and wedding receptions. None of that matters IMO, be with someone you love and care for regardless. The only people who make out on big extravagant rings are the jewelers.

ItsCasey

There is no rule. Do the best you can do.

And obviously I can't speak for every woman, but I most certainly do NOT want to participate in picking out the ring. I would hope the man I'm marrying can handle that part himself. Then again, I'm also not the kind of woman to look a man in the eye after he just asked me to spend the rest of my life with him and say "Okay, but can we upgrade this?"

TinaBean007

buy what you can afford in cash comfortably. it's not a good idea to go into debt over a ring that can be upgraded in the future. weddings are expensive as it is. if you commit to be together forever then the extra fancy ring can wait until complete financial security is achieved.

Amen! It's not about money anyway... something you're both happy with now and later... huge payment book shows up in the mail 30 days later, you're not going to be a happy with it. On a side note, I'm very sentimental and would never trade my ring for the world. For some guys it's a pride thing they will never get over. It really does have to be right for both of you though. Also, size does not have to mean huge cost. There are many options. Just more food for thought.... I plan to hand my ring down to my children some day and I wanted something that would be special. It didn't impact the cost, but it was something we talked about. With that said my engagement ring cost about $3500- way under the 3 month salary and it's absolutely amazing.

newfette81

I have my ring picked out LOL it costs 2399 and the wedding band is 800. We are currently saving for a house so I don't expect the ring anytime soon...

ElyseL1

My husband didnt spend the three months salary as is the typical rule. I said it was a waste for something that is to be worn everyday and I also got a wedding set vs just an engagement ring since we decided it was a better value. Grand total we spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 5k.

Some_Watery_Tart

I have a pretty nice "3 months salary" ring. BUT, we're both well-established in our careers. We both own homes. We both have college and retirement funds and emergency savings. We don't carry debt. We're a second marriage/blended family, so combining households increased our cashflow. Unless you are in a situation like that, don't even consider spending that kind of money on a ring. Rings are not important!

I've seen some beautiful engraved gold bands for a few hundred dollars. Or if you really like the diamond look, get a modest CZ in a nice setting. Seriously, no one is going to know the difference. Down the road you can change out the stone if you want. The fashion now is to get something different. Think outside the box.

And remember: it's a piece of jewelry. It's complete acceptable to change it down the road--as many times as you want--for whatever reason. What's important is the guy and the promises you make to each other.

amyk0202

I think you should sit down & figure out how much you can comfortably afford without going into debt & then start shopping the pawn shops & ebay until you find one you like.

I love my rings. The entire set together probably cost about $1200. It was 20 years ago so I don't remember the exact cost. At the time it was a lot of money for us & we were paying on it every month for a while until it was paid off. I used to wear it every day. Then I got pregnant & couldn't wear it because it was too small. Had the baby & could wear it again, but didn't because I didn't want to scratch the baby. Since I had 4 kids pretty close together, I went for a long time not wearing it at all. I just bought a plain gold band & wore it instead because someone said something rude to me when I was pushing my daughter around in a stroller at a wedding show (my sister was planning her wedding)--something about putting the cart in front of the horse . Then I got too fat to wear it, so again it sat in the box. I finally had it sized up & wore it for a while. Now I've lost a bunch of weight & it's too big. I don't wear it very often because it slides around on my finger & I have to wear the plain band in front of it or it will go flying off. My point is that marriage is not about the ring & in the long run it doesn't really mean that much so don't put yourself in a bad position financially.

Fullsterkur_woman

My husband and I got engaged when we were in high school. My engagement ring is not fancy and has a diamond so small you can barely tell it's there. It may not even be a diamond; I don't know or care. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary, and numerous times he has mentioned to me getting a "replacement" engagement ring that is more suitable. Finally he's stopped, because I believe I have finally convinced him that this ring is not coming off my finger. He can buy me other rings, and I can wear them proudly, but there can only ever be one engagement ring, and whenever I look at my humble ring it reminds me of all the important things in a marriage and reminds me to forget any of the bull-puckey. To ask me to toss it aside would be so hurtful.

Budgeting for your necessary and prudent expenses and investments is by far more important than figuring out how much you can spend on bling. So, maybe the normal amount he would spend on a nice gift for you, set that as your budget, and then go find the one you like most out of those.

Really, the marriage is far more important than the ring or the wedding!

futuresize8

I used to work in the jewelry business. And what I learned was that there are beautiful rings at every price. Get something beautiful and practical, and know that there will be many anniversaries to add to that if lots of bling is what is important to you.

And, you might find this hard to believe, but after all the jewery I've created, touched and owned over the years, the sterling silver Claddagh ring my husband bought for me at a festival on St. Patrick's Day the first year we were dating cost probably $25, but it means more to me than any other piece of jewelry I own!

Best of luck!

cherryd69

I love mine, dont know how much the OH spent on it though

GetSoda

I found the best value, and spent two weeks gross salary on it. It's just a ring.

Vincentsz

Three months salary IS the general rule. That's why you save for a ring. This also provides the prospective groom to really think about his decision and the selection.

BrunetteRunner87

As much as the ring you want costs - you have to wear it the rest of your life!
Of course something you like within reason.

YaGigi

I'm a material girl. De Beers all the way.

YaGigi

Three months salary IS the general rule. That's why you save for a ring. This also provides the prospective groom to really think about his decision and the selection.

Exactly.