Engagement Ring - How Much To Spend?

VfM4meplse

xbrenx wrote: »

Even Prince William didn't spend £9k.

Yes he went old-skool and used his Mum's engagement ring.

Beautiful as it is, I would be superstitious - she had a miserable marriage. But Wills and Kate's relationship was established on a completely different footing.

Pollycat

xbrenx wrote: »

Even Prince William didn't spend £9k.

Maybe not, but his Father spent £28k almost 35 years ago - and apparently now it's worth £300k. :eek:

I wouldn't be superstitious about wearing a ring belonging to a member of my family just because they didn't have a happy relationship. I don't believe that items take on 'unhappy' feelings.

LilElvis

Skintski wrote: »

People get so hung up on money. I chose my ring, it cost £650 and I love it. I would be scared to carry round a 9k ring.

Why would anyone be scared to wear a piece of jewellery? The risk of someone wrenching a ring off your finger in the street and making off with it is so small it isn't worth worrying about. As long as it is properly insured then there is no financial loss if it is stolen or a stone is lost.

Lily-Rose_3

The '3 months salary' rule is just something peddled to us by the jewelry industry.

I would be horrified if my partner spent 9 grand on a ring for me.

You can get a perfectly nice ring for a few hundred.

74jax

I have a rather expensive ring, don't know fully as never asked the exact cost, I don't know why I needed to know the cost. Hubby earns a bit more than you but he didn't go with any 'reasoning' behind the cost. He designed a ring, picked a stone and had someone make it. He bargained a bit on cost and then it was made. He insures it for me.

He proposed with a cornetto, not the ring, and gave me the ring a few weeks afterwards.

I'm not scared at wearing it, although I didn't swim in it. I do now as my wedding band sits on the outside so the engagement ring has no chance of coming off.

You know your partner, choose something you both like, regardless of cost to start with.

We can all say what 'we' think I'd a silly amount, but it really only matters what you consider 'silly'.

mildredalien

There is no set amount - its what you can afford and find reasonable to spend on a ring. Don't think that if you don't go for the top of your budget you are being cheap/mean, it's much more important that what you get is meaningful and suited to you and your partner.

I made it very clear that I didn't want a diamond (they're just not me) which automatically reduced the cost. I've no idea what it did cost but I can't imagine it was more than a couple of hundred - and it was exactly what I wanted, I love it! I have a friend whose husband earns a bucketload and does place importance on money. She ended up getting this ginormous diamond ring that actually I think she is slightly embarrassed about as she is not at all showy. It's also less practical as she has to take off all the time in case it gets damaged (or she takes someone's eye out with it!!)

Think about your fiances style - will she want something huge and blingy or subtle, modern or classic? Would she appreciate a diamond alternative that doesn't come with all of the ethical issues that diamonds often have, or would she be disappointed? Most people end up liking a ring that their partner chooses as it reflects part of their personality too, but if you know you have very different tastes then be careful!

Skintski

LilElvis wrote: »

Why would anyone be scared to wear a piece of jewellery? The risk of someone wrenching a ring off your finger in the street and making off with it is so small it isn't worth worrying about. As long as it is properly insured then there is no financial loss if it is stolen or a stone is lost.

It's more about damaging it than being mugged for it.

74jax

SecretaryBird wrote: »

I think you would need your head examining if you spent £9k on a ring:eek: I could buy a couple of decent cars for that and have a holiday thrown in as well

If take my ring over a car and holiday any day. It is really a very personally thing and we can't know what she would prefer. I think only the OP can decide what it the right situation for them.

If, like my hubby, you could easily afford it, then go for it. Maybe the fact you are questioning the cost means you aren't fully acceptable of the idea? Don't get dragged in to you HAVE to pay a certain amount.

As long as you ask her to marry you, she says yes and eventually you both say I do, then jobs a gud'en.

LilElvis

Skintski wrote: »

It's more about damaging it than being mugged for it.

If it's properly insured then this isn't an issue. Damaging a diamond is fairly hard to do, though other stones can be smashed quite easily (e.g. opals). Most women who wear valuable jewellery on a daily basis don't do heavy manual work where damage would likely result.

duchy

What sort of everyday jewelry does she wear ?

Expensive stuff or costume .

I don't wear expensive rings or earrings so if my OH had spent £9K I'd have gone nuts as it would be very extravagant and I'd rather he'd spent less and used the balance on something like a new kitchen

My ring looks expensive but isn't and that's how I like it - I honestly wouldn't want the worry of such an expensive piece of everyday jewelry in case it got lost or damaged. If he had £9K to blow I'd rather we spent a few hundred on a ring (If I had chosen I'd have chosen a vintage ring -although I do like my ring ) and spent the rest on a fabulous honeymoon or put it towards the wedding or something for the house .