Engagement ring

yourdeadwright · 03-01-2014 4:04pm #1

How much do u reckon the average person spends on an engagement ring ?
And before anyone says i know its afterhours

L.Jenkins · 03-01-2014 4:06pm

With the recession, the average is 3 weeks wage apparently.

Daqster · 03-01-2014 4:08pm

Half your monthly net pay minus whatever your average spend is on hookers.

If the latter is more than the former, don't get married.

Specialun · 03-01-2014 4:09pm

3 euro

Am i right..am i right?

patmac · 03-01-2014 4:10pm

I never bought my wife an engagement ring as we never got engaged, we were married a year and a half after we met and are still together and very happily married after 18 years, never saw the point to it. If I win the lotto some day I might buy one retrospectively but it always seemed a huge waste of money.

SV · 03-01-2014 4:11pm

I always thought the amount was 3 months wages.

However my OH has told me if I spend that kind of money on her she'll kill me.

nc19 · 03-01-2014 4:13pm

I spent just shy of a months wages during the boom time when it was the norm apparently to spend 3 months wages!!!

Dont so much of a cheapo now

03-01-2014 4:15pm

3 months wages is insane
Unless you love a particular ring that happens to be that much but still
jesus

KTRIC · 03-01-2014 4:15pm

3 Months wages !! F*ck !! Thats a fair wack o' cash !!

RoboRat · 03-01-2014 4:16pm

You pay what you are willing to pay, end of.

I was told by a jeweller it was '3 months salary' and I told her to go fcuk herself. Also, I went into another well known Dublin Jeweller, told the lady what I was willing to pay and not to bring anything outside that range and she went and bought a ring twice my budget hoping that I would be embarrassed into paying.

I ended up going to Antwerp and I tell you, its the best decision I made. Wifey got a ring much better than she expected and when I got it appraised it would cost 3 times the amount over here. Stick to only validated jewellers though.

nc19 · 03-01-2014 4:17pm

I spent just shy of a months wages during the boom time when it was the norm apparently to spend 3 months wages!!!

Dont so much of a cheapo now

PizzamanIRL · 03-01-2014 4:17pm

Another reason why weddings are unnecessarily expensive. Starting off married life in huge debt. My love for you doesn't have a price on it

Duggy747 · 03-01-2014 4:17pm

A pack of Tayto Jonnie Onion Rings will do.

Times are tough.

kneemos · 03-01-2014 4:17pm

KTRIC wrote: »

3 Months wages !! F*ck !! Thats a fair wack o' cash !!

Even on minimum wage it's the bones of four grand.

Pumpkinseeds · 03-01-2014 4:18pm

Mine broke beyond repair last week after wearing it for 17 years. My husband wants to buy me a new one, we'll probably use Diamond factory, it seems very good and you can choose what colour and carat of gold you want as well at the carat of diamond, it shows you as you go exactly what the ring will cost.

KTRIC · 03-01-2014 4:19pm

RoboRat wrote: »

You pay what you are willing to pay, end of.

I was told by a jeweller it was '3 months salary' and I told her to go fcuk herself. Also, I went into another well known Dublin Jeweller, told the lady what I was willing to pay and not to bring anything outside that range and she went and bought a ring twice my budget hoping that I would be embarrassed into paying.

I ended up going to Antwerp and I tell you, its the best decision I made. Wifey got a ring much better than she expected and when I got it appraised it would cost 3 times the amount over here. Stick to only validated jewellers though.

How do you do that then, did you propose without the ring ?

Alf Veedersane · 03-01-2014 4:20pm

3 months wages is nonsense.

It was suggested to me at the time - in jest, I might add - and I said that was fine if the wages were those of someone working part time and on the minimum wage.

That said, I ennded up spending what was about 6 weeks wages, which was fine. My Communion money covered most of that.

Meangadh · 03-01-2014 4:22pm

It costs however much you can afford. Anyone getting into debt or spending stupid amounts of money on any aspect of a wedding gets no sympathy from me if they're broke later on. I wouldn't be bothered spending much on the ring, just enough that it will last without tarnishing or breaking- which really doesn't have to be much at all.

preston johnny · 03-01-2014 4:25pm

Engagement ring-Wedding ring-Suffering

jon1981 · 03-01-2014 4:26pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

3 months wages is nonsense.

It was suggested to me at the time - in jest, I might add - and I said that was fine if the wages were those of someone working part time and on the minimum wage.

That said, I ennded up spending what was about 6 weeks wages, which was fine. My Communion money covered most of that.

after tax?!? Please say yes!

Alf Veedersane · 03-01-2014 4:28pm

jon1981 wrote: »

after tax?!? Please say yes!

You'll be glad to know it's a yes.

Potatoeman · 03-01-2014 4:29pm

Friends of mine recently decided to stick the money into their kids college fund and get a fake. I know someone else that tried to sell theirs after a break up and it was valued at one third less than they paid.

03-01-2014 4:30pm

Potatoeman wrote: »

=and it was valued at one third less than they paid.

course it was
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/02/have-you-ever-tried-to-sell-a-diamond/304575/

Alf Veedersane · 03-01-2014 4:31pm

KTRIC wrote: »

How do you do that then, did you propose without the ring ?

Sometimes people just agree to marry.

I used a piece of tinfoil that I fashioned into a ring though. F*ck that buying a cheapo one for the proposal business.

Ninjini · 03-01-2014 4:31pm

If my OH gave me a ring that cost 3 months wages I would be afraid to wear it for fear of losing it

burnhardlanger · 03-01-2014 4:31pm

If you have to get into debt to buy an engagement ring, then it should serve as a serious warning flag

To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference between a five figure diamond or a similar bit of cubic zirconia.

RoboRat · 03-01-2014 4:36pm

How do you do that then, did you propose without the ring ?

Got a token ring for about €20 and proposed with that. Most long term couples I know done that or they agreed to get married and then just got the ring. Glad I done it that way as I would have picked exactly what she wouldn't have wanted as demonstrated by the token ring I bought!!!

RoboRat · 03-01-2014 4:39pm

course it was
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...iamond/304575/

I read a great marketing study about the De Beers and how the managed to make the diamond the stone for engagements... took nearly 20 years and a long term marketing strategy.

The irony is that Diamonds are not that rare, they are just withheld from the market to keep the prices artificially high.

RoboRat · 03-01-2014 4:44pm

What really does piss me off this this eternity ring bull****.

I have put the foot down and said no hope. Maybe for our 50th anniversary I will get something else.

I got my wedding ring online for about €100. Was a bit pissed off though when I came across a ring a few weeks ago that is a combination of asteroid, dinosaur bone and titanium - they are well cool!

burnhardlanger · 03-01-2014 4:48pm

Has anyone bought a synthetic diamond engagement ring? Any recommendations?

Tiddlypeeps · 03-01-2014 4:56pm

I'd have no interest in an engagement ring, or even a wedding ring for that matter. I hate wearing rings, I just fidget with them a lot and then lose them. Crazy expensive too for what they are. Myself and the OH don't really have much interest in marriage but I have himself warned anyway that if he does ever get any crazy notions that I'll actually kill him if he buys are ring.

I'd much rather spend the money on a nice holiday or something else awesome. Much better than a boring piece of stone that's gonna get lost because I'm really clumsy anyway.

No offence meant towards people who are into that type of thing, just not my cup of tea.

LordSutch · 03-01-2014 4:56pm

Argos.ie do a nice selection.

I don't get this thing about how many weeks wages should be spent, I mean how long is a piece of string? Firstly decide what type of ring, then visit a few jewellers and do comparisons on price & quality of diamond. Do your homework, then spend whatever the price is (in your price bracket), whether it be €1000 or €5000 including everything in between.

Very important that you get the right type/style of ring, and remember that how much it costs is only part of the equation. Circumstances may dictate that it cost only €80, but if its offered and accepted with true Love and affection then its just as valuable as a 5K ring IMO.

wretcheddomain · 03-01-2014 4:57pm

Cost of a Happy Meal

Gringo180 · 03-01-2014 5:01pm

Only an absolute MONGO OF EPIC PROPORTIONS would spend 3 months wages on an engagement ring.

SV · 03-01-2014 5:02pm

Gringo180 wrote: »

Only an absolute MONGO OF EPIC PROPORTIONS would spend 3 months wages on an engagement ring.

Why do you say that? If it didn't affect them and wanted to get one for that much and they had the money saved what would be the big deal?

blade1 · 03-01-2014 5:03pm

Ok I'll say it,
About 3 fiddy.

Pang · 03-01-2014 5:06pm

Is that three months gross or net?

That is mental, either way.

I would say to go ring shopping together and see what you the lady in question likes and go from there. It certainly pays to shop around as well.

Gringo180 · 03-01-2014 5:07pm

SV wrote: »

Why do you say that? If it didn't affect them and wanted to get one for that much and they had the money saved what would be the big deal?

Just my opinion, 3 months wages is about 5 grand. That's just madness unless your loaded. For the average Joe Soap I reckon 500 would be perfect.

Santa Cruz · 03-01-2014 5:08pm

Hurry up Halloween. You might get one in the brack

Pumpkinseeds · 03-01-2014 5:10pm

Gringo180 wrote: »

Just my opinion, 3 months wages is about 5 grand. That's just madness unless your loaded. For the average Joe Soap I reckon 500 would be perfect.

You're`being very optimistic, I was shocked at how expensive engagement rings are since my husband got mine 17 years ago. 500 would probably get you an 18 carat gold wedding ring, but you'd be lucky to get even a diamond chip in it.

Gringo180 · 03-01-2014 5:13pm

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

You're`being very optimistic, I was shocked at how expensive engagement rings are since my husband got mine 17 years ago. 500 would probably get you an 18 carat gold wedding ring, but you'd be lucky to get even a diamond chip in it.

Your shopping in the wrong jewellers. H. Samuel do a nice range of 9 - 18 carat white gold engagement rings (with diamonds) from 300-700 euros.

hattoncracker · 03-01-2014 5:14pm

3 months wages!!? I think I'd kill my OH if he spent that much! I don't really want a diamond anyways, I like sapphires, I'd be happy with one from etsy, or a second-hand ring from a seller on donedeal..
There's loads of them on there that are about half the price of what the seller paid!

rawn · 03-01-2014 5:15pm

It really isn't the price that matters. As long as the ring is real (as in, won't turn her finger green) and as long as she loves it, price is irrelevant. I've seen rings for over €1000 that were meh, and spectacular ones for under €300.

Pumpkinseeds · 03-01-2014 5:16pm

Gringo180 wrote: »

Your shopping in the wrong jewellers. H. Samuel do a nice range of 9 - 18 carat white gold engagement rings (with diamonds) from 300-700 euros.

I never really got the appeal of white gold, to me it just looks cheap. Each to their own though. I know platinum is really popular but I prefer 18 carat yellow gold.

mailforkev · 03-01-2014 5:17pm

I don't get the hate, as long as it's bought within your means what's the problem how much you spend.

I was in a position to spend a fair bit so I did, my wife will have it forever hopefully so was something I didn't mind spending a bit on.

I know they have no real intrinsic value but a few years later it still makes her happy when she looks at it. And that makes me happy.

03-01-2014 5:17pm

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

Mine broke beyond repair last week after wearing it for 17 years. My husband wants to buy me a new one, we'll probably use Diamond factory, it seems very good and you can choose what colour and carat of gold you want as well at the carat of diamond, it shows you as you go exactly what the ring will cost.

I had to get my engagement and wedding rings cut off after 20 years, as I'd put on a bit of weight. What I did, was go back to the same jeweller and got the stone reset in an identical setting and got the remains of the rings made into a bigger wedding band.

To answer original question, at the time we agreed an amount that was a week of our combined wages. (30 years ago, that came to £150)

Inspector Coptoor · 03-01-2014 5:18pm

It's all down to what you can afford.
3 months wages is nuts.
If I gave my OH a ring for that much she wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it.

The weird thing is how competitive women are with other women.
Men don't give a sh1t really.

I bought one in August in
California, for a significant figure but I was comfortable with it & had saved for it as we are together 10 years.

Gringo180 · 03-01-2014 5:19pm

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I never really got the appeal of white gold, to me it just looks cheap. Each to their own though. I know platinum is really popular but I prefer 18 carat yellow gold.

Yellow gold is horrendous looking, reminds me of years ago when everybody used to go around with the sovereigns and black diamonds on. White gold is the most popular amongst wedding and engagement rings these days.

Pumpkinseeds · 03-01-2014 5:20pm

Gringo180 wrote: »

Yellow gold is horrendous looking, reminds me of years ago when everybody used to go around with the sovereigns and black diamonds on. White gold is the most popular amongst wedding and engagement rings these days.

You have no taste, still just as well white gold is as cheap as it looks:p

Gringo180 · 03-01-2014 5:22pm

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

You have no taste, still just as well white gold is as cheap as it looks:p

Look in most jewellers. The majority of engagement and wedding rings are white gold. I wonder why

fussyonion · 03-01-2014 5:22pm

I'm female and I hate the fact men are supposed to pay so much for an engagement ring, but what irks me more are the women who EXPECT their men to spend a fortune on their rings.

If you're in love and your man has proposed to you, it shouldn't matter if the ring cost €100 or €1000..if he picked it out, he obviously thought you'd like it and you'd be one cold-hearted cow to turn your nose up at it.

My fella proposed with a gorgeous ring and I know it didn't cost any more than €400 but I love it; the design, the shape, the stones, but more than that..that he spent what he could on it and that he picked it because he thought I'd like it.

Plus it's what the ring represents, not how much it costs.

Engagement ring

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