Poll: Ultimate engagement ring price

[34saving]

I've noticed some discussion about engagement rings in the other threads, so I was wondering: Do you wish you (or your husband) had spent more or less on the engagement ring?

Mine was a family heirloom, so dh didn't have to pay anything for it. So, the amount he paid was just right However, I have known friends who would have gladly sold their rings (if they had anywhere close to their original value) to get money for other things they wanted or needed. On the flipside, I've also had friends who have upgraded the diamonds later in life because they wanted something better, so . . . What about you guys?

[akaivyleaf]

Mine was an heirloom too so I have to go with just the right amount paid. I've debated about giving it back since the marriage didn't work, then I think I did my 10 years, I deserve it.

I'm not big on jewelry, so I wouldn't have wanted him to go out and spend a fortune on it. All of my jewelry has been handed down through the generations so...

[jmjj215]

I didn't know how to negotiate when I purchased the ring. I don't wish I would've gotten a cheaper ring, I wish I wouldn't have left money on the table - I named my price first - which was my (in retrospect) fatal mistake.

[cicy33]

I picked it out and then he bought it later. Which was a good thing cuz he would have gotten a bigger one and I don't really like jewelry. We paid about $300 for a 1/4 karat double ring

[PrincessPerky]

Where is the choice, of "I picked it we paid and it was/is perfect?" (he asked me to marry him without the ring)

Though I guess we could have negotiated or shopped around and paid less.

[cicy33]

For me, I don't really care for jewelry, so if he had chosen it I would be stuck with a huge ring I hate that would really irritate my skin. The one I chose is still a little big but apparently much smaller would have been a band and I did want something more than just the band. I don't see a problem with doing it together, it is not a toaster oven, you have to wear it FOREVER.

[gakline]

Is there a traditional price for the engagement ring? I had heard somewhere that ideally it should be 2-3 months of his salary (before) expenses. Just wondering if anyone's heard of this before.

[34saving]

I've heard that, but would have been quite upset if my hubby had followed that rule . . .I don't need the makings an entire emergency fund carried on my person to be lost, damaged, or stolen!

[kealina]

lol... my ring wasn't an hierloom but it didn't cost us anything so i guess that makes the price perfect too... my wedding ring set was a gift from my aunt (a jeweler) for which i am very grateful... if it wasn't for her i think we would have just gone with a simple comfort band or a small band with a few diamonds...

[LuxLiving]

I'm with PrincessPerky -

WE bought inexpensive simple matching gold bands. Paid cash. Marriage still going strong many years later!

[Ima saver]

He didn't offer me a ring either. I already had diamonds on both hands, I didn't need any more. I did love the diamond watch he bought me, but it has stopped working! Thirty years is a long time for a watch.

[Bookie]

Originally Posted by gakline

Is there a traditional price for the engagement ring? I had heard somewhere that ideally it should be 2-3 months of his salary (before) expenses. Just wondering if anyone's heard of this before.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

In Western societies the cost of an engagement ring has traditionally ranged from two weeks wages, to the early 21st century norm of one month to as much as three months of the man's wages. The source of these recommendations is often the jewelry industry. In the United States, de Beers and some jewelry merchants have promoted a general guideline of two or three months' pay. A spokesperson from Tiffany’s Australia, quoted on the television program A Current Affair (February 1, 2005), suggested that a man should spend two to three month's salary on an engagement ring.

There. The diamond industry to the rescue.

[Jacklad]

I can't answer the poll - hubby and I bought the ring together, with pooled funds, and spent a reasonable amount.

Jackie

[lgslgs]

Hubby and I don't wear rings. We never felt we needed rings as a visible symbol of anything, and even if we did have them we do enough agricultural work that we wouldn't wear them - too much chance of losing a finger because of one.

Lynda

[Gruntina]

I can not answer as I do not officially have my ring yet. I do know that I want one and it would mean a lot for me to have a symbol that shows the world I am committed to someone. But it does not have to be expensive but more important it was from the heart than a "must have" mentality

[aurielle]

I would have to say I am also in the 'just right' category. I have a beautiful 1/4 carat blue (VERY blue) diamond solitare w/yellow gold that I picked out and he paid for and it didn't cost a huge fortune. Which reminds me, I need to take it in and have it cleaned.

[catlinye_maker]

My husband spent just the right amount. I love my garnet and silver ring and it was what we could afford at the time.

[jodi]

There's no answer for "just right" so I didn't respond to the poll either. I showed my DH the ring I wanted in the jeweler's window and he bought it for me. Might not be the most romantic way to do it, but I was happy It was a modest amount, but I didn't want anything too big.

[pearlieq]

I think DH spent too much. It was important to him, but I personally would have spent a lot less. I try not to let it get to me and realize that his heart was in the right place and he thinks different about money and love than I do.

It is a beautiful ring.

[PRICEPLUS]

I wish I had spent less on the ring and invested in something more practical. I had to work a lot of overtime to pay for the darn thing!