How much should you pay for an engagement ring?

McCABE1

Hi,
What is the average to pay for an engagement ring? I know naturally its based on what you can afford etc but to get a nice ring, not too dear, not too cheap what would the standard be? I've seen a beautiful ring for €2,500 but is that crazy money for a ring??? I'd be looking for something around 1/2 ct diamond and white gold or platinum band. Also its an antique, 1920's. I feel sick at the thoughts of spending that amount of money on a ring though !!! Is it too much ??

bills

well if you are not comfortable spending that, then i think you have your answer.
Having said that- if you are looking for those specific requirements mentioned, then you could easily spend that & more.

username123

There is no average. Different people earn different amounts, have different savings, use their income in different ways etc....

Spend what you can afford and feel comfortable with.

The Big Red Button

Is the ring you've seen white gold or platinum? €2,500 sounds a bit expensive to me for a half carat if it's white gold, you might be able to talk the price down a bit though!

tinkerbell

All depends on what you think yourself OP. If you think €2,500 is too expensive then that's your opinion. Others may think that's not expensive. If you can't afford it, don't buy it.

Whippo

chatterpillar wrote: »

Is the ring you've seen white gold or platinum? €2,500 sounds a bit expensive to me for a half carat if it's white gold, you might be able to talk the price down a bit though!

Wrong, depends on what sort of stone it is. For a half carat loose diamond, (not mounted, no shank), clarity IF, colour D, ideal cut, expect to pay upwards of €2000 for the stone alone. There used to be a thing that the gent should pay a months salary for the Ladies engagement ring, but I'm sure that this has fallen apart at this stage...

fintonie

there is a goldsmith on south circular road in Dublin that make class engagement rings and will sell from the work shop,
great value to be had I think its Cubby O'Connor's the diamonds are great quality you will be buying the best.

Waesfjord

If you found something you like, you can always ask a jeweller elsewhere to make it for you (possibly not for an antique ring, howver deffo for a modern type ring)

Regarding diamond pricing, use websites e.g. bluenile.co.uk, to get an idea of loose diamond prices.

The rules of thumb I went with (as purchased a loose diamond, had a local jewellers manufacture a ring seen elsewhere and saved considerable money) are

• colour, D/E/F - you should be able to see any difference.
• For inclusions, IF (internally flawless) are obviously most expesive as most rare. Remembering that inspections of diamonds are down at 10* magnification, you won't see inclusion using naked eye when no magnification at significantly lower inclusion grades ( e.g. VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, S1), so possibly include these.
• For round cut diaomonds, there is a 'spec' for the diamond cut, as detailed by main grading labs but not for other diamond shapes, however plenty of rules for various diamond dimenions, so a little research is recommended on the net if you want to shop for a loose diamond.

An example of price differences I found when shopping around for a white gold engagement ring (for a 0.5 carat ring, colour D, VS2...). One city centre jeweller charging €4000, dropped to €3100 to rty and secure the sale.
Went to another prominent jeweller in Dublin who also manufacture jewellary, they would produce same ring, with equivalent graded diamond (lab certified) for €1500.

So when you know what you want, then check around to make sure you are getting a good price, as they are huge differences between different jewellers.

Platinum will add maybe €400 ( I think) to overall cost, brides choice as to what they prefer, as far as I can see.

good luck!!

squidgey

There's a guy on Abbey Street that makes + sells rings. can't think of name but it's at the back of Arnotts. I paid €1000 for an engagement ring there that would ordinarily cost over €2000 in a retail jewellers. It's quite common now for women to pick out their own rings, but personally I think that's a load of nonsence. If you don't know your potential fiancee well wnough to know what type of ring they would like there is a problem.
My wifes friends couldn't believe I had picked out the engagement ring by myself.

cavangirl21

Unfortunately if you want an antique ring you will pay more straight away. Having said that you will have something unique and it will hold it's value. Just chech that the settings are all secure and you have a valuation befor you buy! Good luck either way

Unwilling

Oconnors - my aunts rave about this guy.... but i didnt want to ask them where he was as we haven't announced our engagement yet.....
GREAT THANK YOU

Unwilling

Trying to find out information on Oconnors - websites are down... pity.
We want to shop around and buy a diamond from tradesperson and have them make up the ring.
Mark ups in Jewelers is overwhelming
I heard raving reports about OConnors but can find out no informations.

Waesfjord

http://www.jsocjewellers.ie/

nothing wrong with their website - they are closed for another week I think as all on holidays.

is this the O Connors you are referring to.

They sell engagement rings or will make a ring if you supply a loose diamond.

Their prices are usually much more reasonable than other plpaces I checked out.

gemsan

worth haggling at the moment - we saved 400 euro just in haggling the shop down

Waesfjord

I'd suggest you could get a 25% discount off marked prices in highstreet.

Don't know if previous poster (€400 discount) paid for ring, so that may be similar disount or more or less.