Wedding Ring : Engagement Ring cost ratio

zfrl

nic82 wrote:

White gold and platinum are very popular nowadays but remember that the engagement ring and wedding ring must be from the same metal, otherwise the softer one will wear the other one down

I think you mean the harder one will wear the other one down!

showtunesgirl

ringo_24601 wrote:

Yup. That would be about 2 months pre-tax wages for me. Thankfully, i've been quite dilligent towards saving in the last few years so I could afford that from my savings.

I've told her that if i'm spending that on a ring then i'm not contributing much to the wedding (i'd expect her family to pay the majority) and that engagement/wedding present money would be saved towards a honeymoon.

Can't say I'm happy with spending that much, but I do love her and I know it would mean the world to her

I'm sorry but is she honestly saying that if you don't spend x amount of money then she doesn't love you and won't marry you? Are you sure you want to marry someone like that? In the vows, it says for richer for poorer after all...

DaveSmith_3

Wow! I never thought I'd get such a good response from my first post. Thankyou everyone who has contributed, I have read and considered every one.

Conclusion

1. First of all, its nice to know I wasn't too far off the mark on my assumptions. I must have been subconsciously paying attention to these details after all.

2. I think having read all your comments, £600 is reasonable, but I think I will set that as my absolute top limit and possibly spend a little less if I find a ring that is right. Its silly really as she'd never know what it cost, as she wouldn't ask, and I wouldn't show her the receipt. But spending 400-600 feels right for me.

3. I'm going to bite the bullet and choose the engagement ring myself. Based on other things I have bought for her in the past - jewellery, clothes etc, she generally likes my choices and she knows she could tell me if she didn't.
I do know a bit about what she likes. I bought her a £4.99 ring 3 months after we met, and she has worn it everyday since!

A few years ago she regularly hinted heavily when passing a jewellers which engagement ring she liked, but at the time I wasn't interested in marriage. I wish I'd paid more attention now!!!
She likes silver coloured rings (that means white gold or platinum doesn't it?) in a fairly plain traditional design, with a fairly smallish diamond (not one which will take your eye out). My web research shows that might be 1/3 carat, but I'll have to see one up close to be sure.


4. I like the idea of me getting a watch for engagement. Hopefully she'll come up with that idea herself, if not, its not a deal breaker!!!

5. We'll choose the wedding rings together.

6. Not sure about the proposal... I'll have to have a long think about that!! suggestions welcome. Where ever it is or however I do it, it will be just the two of us, it won't be a grand gesture with a crowd watching.

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts!

[Deleted User]

Good lad.. i was considering proposing in a hot air baloon - that way she can't run away!

As a reply to showtunegirl - its not that she says 'if i don't get X i don't love you' its because she thinks that is the norm for engagement rings. Her 4 currently engaged friends, and soon to be sister in law, all have rings that cost roughly 5K. Hell, her mothers was just valued at about 9 grand. Its more about the carats.. if I could find a 1.4c decent clarity and colour stone for 50 quid, she's love it as much as a 5 grand one.. i think diamonds are just her best friends. I was hoping to take her to amsterdam for a) the proposal (the balloon idea won't work well there) and b) the cheaper diamonds from traders.

As a tip to the OP - learn about the 4 C's - colour, clarity, carats and cut before you go rock shopping

BargainJunky

Not sure how much my engagement ring cost but we went to hubbys dads friends house who was a jeweller and I picked out what I liked and he made one for me. Originally I wanted a three stone ring but went for a solitaire - hubby was going green when I was looking at the clusters as he thought they would be more expensive. To start with I was going to have my nans eternity ring remade but the jeweller told me to keep it as it was instead of breaking it up. I bought hubby a watch so you may get something too. Our wedding rings came from the same jeweller but this time we went to his workplace - he didnt have a shop. We asked for a plain wedding band for both of us - jeweller disappeared off to the bullion dealer for some samples. Think they both cost just over £100 which was in 2004.

If you live local to Birmingham I suggest you take a trip to the jewellery quarter where they make lots and lots of jewellery and you can pick up some bargains.

Tesco_points_addict

My (now husband) spent about £500 on my engagement ring, chose it himself. Although since then lots have people have tld him about the suposed one month/two month/1year(depending on who you speak too/1) 'rule'
He was really upset for a while as he thought he had 'diddled' me.

However, I love the fact he chose it himself (although I prob. would have chosen something slightly different I still love it)
I personally think the idea about buying a cheapy ring (curtain perhaps?!) is lovely and soooo romantic. However I would have been a little embaressed chosing my own ring as I would not have had a clue what sort of price he had in mind!!!

I think your £600 is perfect, depending on what type she wants you can even get lovely patinum ones for this price. Also remember you will have plenty to spend your hard earned cash on when the wedding etc. comes up!

Go for it and good luck

bandraoi

I think if you arrange it in advance, most jeweller shops they will put out a selection of rings in your price range that the girl can choose from.

Gorgeous_George

Tesco_points_addict wrote:

Also remember you will have plenty to spend your hard earned cash on when the wedding etc. comes up!

... and don't forget the divorce. That can often cost as much as the wedding.



GG

Jo4

When I got engaged, 14 years ago on the 24th of this month, we both went to get the ring together. I chose a ruby and diamond cluster ring which cost £235. I got to pick what ever ring I wanted. For our 1st Christmas and wedding anniversary hubby bought me the matching bracelet, necklace and earrings.

littleange

I don't think an engagement ring is necessary, nevermind spending £5k :eek:

I've recently got engaged and don't have an engagement ring, as my fiance knew that I think it is a waste of money.

We love each other and that's all that matters