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Whats the Average price spent on an Engagement Ring?

ollie247

So for those of you who are married or engaged (or thinking of popping the question like me) I was just curious to figure out roughly what people see as a reasonable price to spend on an engagement ring?

I was thinking around the 3000 mark myself (looked in appelby in dublin) but I realise they range hugely in price. Does that price seem too much/little?

What did you spend (roughly) on engament rings?

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

O

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tj-music.com

At the end of the day it is not the ring that counts which means that you could go for a cheaper option ringwise as I am sure they last just as long and spend the rest of the € 3000 on the honeymoon.

babaduck

The "guide" is that you should spend one months salary on the e-ring. I don't necessarily agree with this, and think it's more about finding a nice ring rather than feeling the need to spend €xxxx. Look around - I saw variations of my ring style for more than double what we paid & there was feck all difference.

To me, my one sticking point was the metal - I wanted platinum, not white gold which needs to be replated every few years, and it's pricey. But I was prepared to have a smaller stone rather than a huge rock in a metal I wasn't too pushed about. My wedding band is also platinum & you should really keep the metal of the two bands the same

county

ollie247 wrote:

So for those of you who are married or engaged (or thinking of popping the question like me) I was just curious to figure out roughly what people see as a reasonable price to spend on an engagement ring?

I was thinking around the 3000 mark myself (looked in appelby in dublin) but I realise they range hugely in price. Does that price seem too much/little?

What did you spend (roughly) on engament rings?

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

O

i think myself and the girlfriend paid 1.200 about 3 years ago,i would feel 3 grand is a bit too much but thats me

BoozyBabe

Not married / not engaged, but TBH, I couldn't care less if you only spent 50 quid on my ring. Granted, I'm not actually into jewelry anyway, but to me, the ring is not important:- it's what it symbolises.

My brother & gf just got engaged, & they're not even going to bother getting a ring (her idea, not his, & she's mad into jewelry, fashion etc, she just felt it was an unneccessary expense)

My sis & her now hubby spent over US$5000 for hers:- she wanted a rock. Ridiculous imo.

Ruu_Old

Good grief, $5,000!:( I think I spent just over €100 for mine(I have plenty of money, I just don't see the point of spending so much). I don't see why people splash out on something like that but well to each their own.

ollie247

Thanks for your replies... so, so far I'm getting the impression taht 3 grand is more than enough... That was going to be my upper limit anyway so I'll probably shave a bit off that.... the one months salary suggestion is a good idea babaduck

BoozyBabe

If ye see the absolute perfect ring for €2k, then that's great, buy it if you want.
But if you see the absolute perfect ring & the only problem is it costs €500, then what's wrong with that???? Why spend more than you need.

At the end of the day, a ring is a ring. It shouldn't matter how much it cost.

Put the saved money towards the wedding / honeymoon, nice weekend away to celebrate the engagement or something.

Ruu_Old

BoozyBabe wrote:

If ye see the absolute perfect ring for €2k, then that's great, buy it if you want.
But if you see the absolute perfect ring & the only problem is it costs €500, then what's wrong with that???? Why spend more than you need.

At the end of the day, a ring is a ring. It shouldn't matter how much it cost.

Put the saved money towards the wedding / honeymoon, nice weekend away to celebrate the engagement or something.

Or put it towards your new house with its big fat mortage payments.

Best of luck OP.

Figment

If I remember correctly it cost around the €400 mark. She is always getting complements about it so I must have done something right

Thanx 4 The Fish

A few thinbgs to take into account.
Do ye plan or already have kids, if so you will need a brush setting (means that the stone is set back into the ring and does not catch on anything, particulalrly bits of babies), if not then I suppose you can do what you like.

I spent 3k on my fiances ring but I had just been made redundant and I had a few quid and a job to walk into. 4 brush set diamonds - 2c (all together not each) - be prepared to haggle though, the shop will often be allowed to go down on the price as the make huge mark up on them and if it means making 300, 400 or nothing they will not often turn you down.

Chinafoot

My sister and her fiance spent about €500 on the ring. She said she wouldn't feel comfortable with 2 or 3 grands worth on her finger and she'd be afraid to wear it. I'd be exactly the same. Unfortunately, like babaduck, I want platinum which costs. But also like her, I don't want a massive rock.

Like the others have said, it's what the ring symbolises that really matters, not how much it cost.

Also, do you know what type of style she wants? If not you should do what my cousin did and get a close friend/sibling of hers that you can trust to go shopping with her, casually stop at a jeweller's window and report back to you on what your lady loved.

HJ Simpson

I spent just under €3k on her ring. We got it made in a place on Abbey Street. Patrick Glynns they are wholesalers and make their own. Got quite a shock when he showed me what it would retail for!!

babaduck

peachypants wrote:

Also, do you know what type of style she wants? If not you should do what my cousin did and get a close friend/sibling of hers that you can trust to go shopping with her, casually stop at a jeweller's window and report back to you on what your lady loved.

Nice idea, but this didn't work at all for us! I knew exactly what I wanted - 5 stone princess cut diamond ring. But it looked rotten when I tried it on.. I was gutted. So, the manager in the shop brought out heaps of rings (platinum only) for me to try, and I wasn't too pushed about any of them. Finally the one I liked least was sitting on the tray and I refused to even stick it on my finger. She ORDERED me to, and guess what... that was "the one".

I would have never picked it as being the ring for me, but it's a little beauty
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/images/products/details/3251950.jpg

My wedding band is based on this style, but in platinum
http://www.tiffany.com/shared/images/products/product_images/14095365_fl_lrg.jpg

Ickle Magoo

I got an antique white gold band inset with 5 diamonds for about €1500...I just fell in love with it...I have seen cheaper rings I loved & pricey rings I didn't - so I don't think price has anything to do with it...:)

Eoin

As Thanx 4 The Fish said - remember to haggle; in fact a few places will immediately say that there is room for negotation before you ask. I think 10% or so is the general reduction.

Also, read up on the "Four Cs" - colour, clarity, carat and cut. You don't have to pretend to be a gem expert with one of those magnifying yokes, but enough so you can tell if you are getting a good deal. For instance: 2 rocks of half a carat each are generally not worth as much as a 1 carat solitaire diamond.

There will obviously be a trade off at some stage, unless you have a big budget - a lower grade colour and/or clarity grading can give the diamond a yellow / misty look. A poor cut can mean that the diamond doesn't reflect light well, and so it won't sparkle nicely. It's a case of finding the right balance - you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a D and E rated colour for instance. They are nearly colourless down to I or J.
Similarly, you'd be hard pressed to see the imperfections of a diamond with a clarity rating of VS1 or VS2.

The diamond is generally where most of your money is going, so concentrate on that, rather than getting hung up on the ring itself. A decent jeweller will be able to set the diamond you want in a different ring, so don't be afraid to ask if you don't find the match you are looking for.

I found Applebys excellent to deal with; the salewoman there was excellent - I probably spent at least 90 minutes "humming and hawwing" before I finally chose one. I am one of the few brave/really really stupid men who picked the ring out without any consultation, and luckily enough she liked it.

Edit: Remember to get a certificate with the diamond from an independent organisation like the GIA. This will certify the 4Cs of the ring, and I think it ensures that the diamond is not conflict diamond. I don't think you will get a cert for a ring with lots of smaller size diamonds though.

ollie247

eoin_s wrote:

As Thanx 4 The Fish said - remember to haggle; in fact a few places will immediately say that there is room for negotation before you ask. I think 10% or so is the general reduction.

Also, read up on the "Four Cs" - colour, clarity, carat and cut. You don't have to pretend to be a gem expert with one of those magnifying yokes, but enough so you can tell if you are getting a good deal. For instance: 2 rocks of half a carat each are generally not worth as much as a 1 carat solitaire diamond.

There will obviously be a trade off at some stage, unless you have a big budget - a lower grade colour and/or clarity grading can give the diamond a yellow / misty look. A poor cut can mean that the diamond doesn't reflect light well, and so it won't sparkle nicely. It's a case of finding the right balance - you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a D and E rated colour for instance. They are nearly colourless down to I or J.
Similarly, you'd be hard pressed to see the imperfections of a diamond with a clarity rating of VS1 or VS2.

The diamond is generally where most of your money is going, so concentrate on that, rather than getting hung up on the ring itself. A decent jeweller will be able to set the diamond you want in a different ring, so don't be afraid to ask if you don't find the match you are looking for.

I found Applebys excellent to deal with; the salewoman there was excellent - I probably spent at least 90 minutes "humming and hawwing" before I finally chose one. I am one of the few brave/really really stupid men who picked the ring out without any consultation, and luckily enough she liked it.

Edit: Remember to get a certificate with the diamond from an independent organisation like the GIA. This will certify the 4Cs of the ring, and I think it ensures that the diamond is not conflict diamond. I don't think you will get a cert for a ring with lots of smaller size diamonds though.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I've already had a half hours humming and hawwing myself in Appelbys and I found the assistant to be very helpful. Took me through the 4 c's and so on. She also said I could get a 15% reduction... I might work on that and try and get it down to 20%... haggle... the name of the game.

Its nice too that they said there is absolutely no problem in going back and exchanging the ring if she doesn't like it. I know she wants a solitare but as babaduck said, it could look all wrong when tried on, and something completely differnt could bue the right one...

I think I might aim a little cheaper than I first thought, cos it's easier to add money at a later stage for a different ring than go looking for money back if the "right one" ends up being cheaper again.

joebhoy1916

eoin_s wrote:

Edit: Remember to get a certificate with the diamond from an independent organisation like the GIA. This will certify the 4Cs of the ring, and I think it ensures that the diamond is not conflict diamond. I don't think you will get a cert for a ring with lots of smaller size diamonds though.

That's all bull AFAIK about conflict diamonds I brought one well two before to a jewler and I told him it from Liberia he said it doesnt matter where they come from there still diamonds! They cant tell difference it's not like there is stamp on them! AFAIK but I could be wrong but honeslty that's what the the woman said to me! It's a ring for his G/F she isn't going to care where it's from once it shines she will be happy!

Eoin

joebhoy1916 wrote:

That's all bull AFAIK about conflict diamonds I brought one well two before to a jewler and I told him it from Liberia he said it doesnt matter where they come from there still diamonds! They cant tell difference it's not like there is stamp on them! AFAIK but I could be wrong but honeslty that's what the the woman said to me! It's a ring for his G/F she isn't going to care where it's from once it shines she will be happy!

It's not bull. It may be the same quality of diamond, but the traffic of many of these diamonds - in particular from Liberia - is used to buy weaponry for militant and terrorist groups. If that doesn't bother you or your girlfriend, then go for it.

L31mr0d

I found this article to be helpful when choosing a ring for my wife

I ended up spending €1500 on the ring, and its a case of just looking and looking until you see one you love. Kinda like finding a partner for life which I found quite eloquent. The moment I saw the ring I knew it was the one straight away without thought. It's diamond was faceted perfectly, and the band was simple and beautiful. Try and find one that epitomises the qualities you love in your partner. If she is flamboyent and outrageous, then buy her a ring that mirrors this.

Also, if she doesn't know you are getting the ring, never tell her its cost. Its not supposed to be about its worth but more its meaning. If the ring is viewed as beatiful by your partner then thats all the worth it needs.

All the best with your engagement and marriage.

joebhoy1916

eoin_s wrote:

It's not bull. It may be the same quality of diamond, but the traffic of many of these diamonds - in particular from Liberia - is used to buy weaponry for militant and terrorist groups. If that doesn't bother you or your girlfriend, then go for it.

:eek: Them terrorist groups must make a fortune off the irish army.

I'm sure his soon to be fiance wouldn't care less where it's from.

<snip>

Shabadu

joebhoy- consider this a warning. This is not a resource for you to flog dodgy diamonds.

joebhoy1916

Shabadu wrote:

joebhoy- consider this a warning. This is not a resource for you to flog dodgy diamonds.

:eek: dodgy diamonds?

The man was asking about a ring I just said I knew a guy who was sellling one (with receipt) is that dodgy?

Anyways I asked him he sold it for 750 paid 1,400 for it!

Anyways best of luck I hope she say's yeah

Shabadu

Are you now trying to claim you were only offering your friend's engagement ring for sale?

That aside, we saved a lot of money by getting ours made. Appelby's is beautiful, but overpriced. You wouldn't be able to resell the ring for anywhere near the purchase value. (Fingers crossed you wouldn't be reselling of course).

Hixfunk

If I remember correctly I spent @ €3500 for the engagement ring, but I had a very nice discount worked into the sale. I committed to getting the wedding rings as well as any jewellery I would consider as a gift for herself, all in Weirs on Grafton St.
I had been told not to go near here as I would be ripped off, but the service and knowledge displayed by the staff was immaculate. The original asking price for the e-ring was €4,900, but haggle, and haggle like crazy!!!! Jewellery has an enormous mark up at the retail level, anyone who has bought in the Middle East will know this.

elz

babaduck wrote:

Nice idea, but this didn't work at all for us! I knew exactly what I wanted - 5 stone princess cut diamond ring. But it looked rotten when I tried it on.. I was gutted. So, the manager in the shop brought out heaps of rings (platinum only) for me to try, and I wasn't too pushed about any of them. Finally the one I liked least was sitting on the tray and I refused to even stick it on my finger. She ORDERED me to, and guess what... that was "the one".

I would have never picked it as being the ring for me, but it's a little beauty
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/images/products/details/3251950.jpg

My wedding band is based on this style, but in platinum
http://www.tiffany.com/shared/images/products/product_images/14095365_fl_lrg.jpg

Love this ring!! So simple but nice..... Just what i think would be perfect for
me!

Paul 2001

Unless you're earning a 6 or 7 figure sum I think 2 - 3k is more than reasonable. Remember, the main thing is that she has something that she is proud to show here family and friends, - that's the name of the game! Once you know the style that she likes, this amount should be plenty to find something nice.

Dortilolma

I'd say set a budget of 1-months salary and then see what you find. The perfect ring might be a fraction of that but at least it gives you a framework. Antique rings were mentioned - this may be a good option as they can be relatively cheaper.

As a previous poster said - negotiate, we got a bit off my engagement ring. There is a huge mark-up on this type of jewelry so there is plenty of room to negotiate.

name0123

Appelby's is known for marking up the rings and then making you think you getting a good price. we simply said his sister told us to check Appelby's out and just cos of that without any discussion on pricing of rings we automatically got 15% off. I wasnt bothered entertaining them after that

end up getting it made down in wexford, I seen one I loved in that place accross from boodles on grafton street and got a similar one made. that jewellers were great though but a year on from getting my own and i still catch myself just staring at it and admiring it. I still get people admiring it

you can spend any amount but 3K is defenitely a decent amount you will have plenty to choose from.

solerina

Lads..ye do realise that most of this thread was written in 2006 ;-0

Moonbeam

I waited for mine so by the time I got it I knew exactly what I wanted from the metal down to the cut and clarity of the diamonds and exactly what setting, I found a guy called Davie on adverts.ie and he made my wedding ring and engagement ring and my husbands wedding ring and they are amazing.