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how much for an engagement ring?

You spend what you can reasonably afford and are comfortable with while trying to buy something to make your SO happy. You'll get the usual ATOTers in here in a few minutes that tell you things like: "Engagement rings are dumb and a waste!", "Don't spend more than $1K!", "I'll never buy a diamond!" Ignore them, and also ignore the idiotic "guidance" that jewelry companies tell you which is that you should spend 2 months of your salary (gross) on an engagement ring.
 
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oh man this thread is going to spiral out of control into the diamond debate...

spend what you can without going into debt and screwing yourself.

for me it was 6k for some its 20k for some its 500$.
 
I spent around $1200 for a real nice single stone diamond in gold from Jared's. We liked the simple style. Some like the real gaudy multi-stones.

I guess it also depends on your budget, and for some maybe who and how much you want to impress.

I heard once there's a rule of thumb that you *should* spend about one month's salary.
 
It seems to me that engagement rings are dumb and a waste. You're just going to replace it with a wedding ring in the near future, right? If you insist on getting one, don't spend more than $1k. It seems to me that amount of money is still a lot for something which isn't going to be in use very long. Don't get anything too outrageous. I'll tell you one thing, I'll never buy a diamond.
 
i just did some research, i guess i shouldn't even bother with resale value and just go find a small diamond company to get my jewel.
I guess I am going for 2k-3k, is that around .7karat?
 
UncleWai said:
i just did some research, i guess i shouldn't even bother with resale value and just go find a small diamond company to get my jewel.
I guess I am going for 2k-3k, is that around .7karat?
Click to expand...

Mine was 1 Karat and cost $3k if I recall correctly.
 
datalink7 said:
It seems to me that engagement rings are dumb and a waste.
Click to expand...

Almost on cue....

You're just going to replace it with a wedding ring in the near future, right?
Click to expand...

No, you don't replace it -- they are parts of a set.

If you insist on getting one, don't spend more than $1k. It seems to me that amount of money is still a lot for something which isn't going to be in use very long. Don't get anything too outrageous. I'll tell you one thing, I'll never buy a diamond.
Click to expand...

I think you may be confused. The wedding ring is generally just a simple band; the engagement ring is the sparkly one with the bling. Together, they form a set and most women wear them their entire lives.
 
UncleWai said:
i just did some research, i guess i shouldn't even bother with resale value and just go find a small diamond company to get my jewel.
I guess I am going for 2k-3k, is that around .7karat?
Click to expand...

You can probably do .7 karat for that price, yes. I took my girlfriend (at the time) with me to pick out the setting but I picked out the main diamond myself. Here is a pro-tip -- if you want to go bigger on the diamond, shoot for something in the .8 to .9 range. At that size, they're pretty much indistinguishable from a full K and you won't pay the full K premium.
 
Spend just under 3k. Cost a little more to have it set in a custom band. But like others have said its really up to what you can afford. I was paying on that thing for months.
 
$450. Told her how it was. THen i spent $600 on something for myself the next day.
i think she's right though, i am quite the ass. but i like myself so i guess its all good eh.
 
FYI diamond prices have skyrocketed this year. And will continue to go up.

I spent ~$3000. $1600 for the diamond and $1400 for the setting. I bought online. What I bought would have been over $5000 at a brick and mortar jewelry store.

Don't go for carat milestones(.5, .75, 1 etc) because you getter better bang for your buck under that. Like .625-.65, .85-.95.

Also, are you looking for round, square? Square cuts "faceup" smaller per ct weight when compared to rounds. If you want to maximize the appearance of size, go with a round cut.

Here is a stone I would consider if shopping online.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2649038.htm

Other places you can look are
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com and their signature stones
http://www.goodoldgold.com and look for stones rated with superior optical symmetry
http://www.jamesallen.com and look at their true hearts stones
http://www.bluenile.com and look at their signature stones

If you want to research diamonds http://www.pricescope.com is a great place for knowledge and help.
 
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JEDI said:
$3k for 1ct perfect man made diamond (including band)
Click to expand...

What do you mean by man made? Because a 1ct real diamond made by man is more expensive than that because they are extremely rare in white. I am going to assume you mean a diamond simulant(not a real diamond) as opposed to a synthetic diamond(a diamond grown in a lab)
 
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I went with a simple 1/5 carat diamond solitaire. Its simple and elegant but didn't break the bank. You can also add a solitaire enhancer ring with it at a later date. Save the real dough for the wedding/honeymoon.
 
If she really loves you, how much you spend on the engagement ring does not matter. Besides, if you don't know what kind of ring she wants by now you either have not been listening or she is not interested in marriage yet.
 
Wreckem posted whiteflash. They are a really good site - also check out Good Old Gold:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/

I didn't buy an engagement ring there, but got some amazing earings. Their website has more information than most about the actual stones.

As for price ... do what you feel comfortable with. It's not a competition or an event that should bankrupt you - although most disagree.
 
this is going to depend highly on your "social circle" and "her friends".

i.e. if you are NYC bankster intern then it would be reasonable to spend five figures on a diamond alone.

if you are metro area person making a good deal of money maybe 5-10k.

just starting out, or live in average town, 3-5k like you said

college student 1-2k.

so if her friends are rocking serious bling then it would be expected for you to get her something nice.

if all your friends are in the poor house, then nevermind.


the 'average' carat and price paid on the ring like i said is going to vary dramatically nationally, and even within districts of cities based on socioeconomic status.
 
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