how much for an engagement ring?

[Spikesoldier]

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.

theres your best answer. a list of good, reputable shops with good staff. do check out that last link he posted, PS junkies are very informative there.

 

[Mateo]

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.

Yep, spent ~$14k back in 2007. Insurance just paid ~$19k to replace the diamond which was recently damaged (somehow chipped which I thought was never supposed to happen but oh well...)

Its all about where you are in life and what matters to you. FWIW we are both in our 30's and well into our careers.

My ring OTH cost ~$500. Go figure.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

My ring OTH cost ~$500. Go figure.

When we went to pick out our bands, I begged my wife to just go to Wal Mart and get me a cheapy $20 band. She wouldn't have any part of it though.

 

[Spikesoldier]

When we went to pick out our bands, I begged my life to just go to Wal Mart and get me a cheapy $20 band. She wouldn't have any part of it though.

I'm in this camp too. I recently saw an inexpensive solid copper band which I thought was pretty neat. I was considering tungsten carbide but changed my mind.

I want my band to be made of rose gold though. It's gold color mixed with copper just looks really neat to me and I think would look good in a 8 or 9mm mens band.

My mother has two small 24k gold rings that were created and set aside for me at birth. These two rings will be melted down to form me and my fiancee's rings. This is really a blessing as gold is ridiculously expensive now, and diamonds are following that trend as well.

I attribute this increase to a weak US dollar, combined with low worldwide economic confidence, and China/India's growing demand for precious metal/fine jewelry.

edit: grammerz

 

[IronWing]

Zippo. My wife's great aunt gave my wife her engagement ring. Our wedding bands were either $70/each for two for $70 from Service Merchandise. I lost mine.

 

[zerocool84]

If you have to ask then you shouldn't be buying one. It's not like there is a minimum you have to spend unless you're just trying to follow what everyone else does which it's a retarded reason to do anything. Just buy whatever you want, no matter what price and if she really loved you it wouldn't matter as it's just a symbol for love nothing more.

 

[datalink7]

Almost on cue....



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



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.

I made up my whole post simply utilizing everything from your post. Check your meter, it might be broken

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I made up my whole post simply utilizing everything from your post. Check your meter, it might be broken

You sneaky bastard.