How Much Is the Average Engagement Ring?

June 2, 2009

Size doesn't matter, or so they say. Some girls are more than happy when their boyfriends propose with a cubic zirconia, while others would find it offensive to receive a stone that isn't a diamond. Lucky for the diamond biz, the recession hasn't stopped guys from selecting the real deal for their proposals. Do you know how much most engagement rings go for? Take the quiz!

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73 Comments

3 years

I think when planning weddings, people seem to forget what its really about and what you get out of it. The best investments when it comes to a wedding is definitely the ring and photography, because at the end of the day (or 10 years later) that is what you will actually have to remind you. No one will really remember the extravagant flowers nor the favors, nor really much about anything, but you will definitely put a big dent in your pocket if you spend way more than you can afford because you are more concerned with what others will think. We are paying for our own wedding so I'm sticking to a budget!

3 years

I spent MONTHS researching my dream engagement ring. I wanted something that looked like the Tiffany Novo- a cushion cut stone and bead-set diamonds on the side. For six months, I lived and breathed cut, clarity, and carat weight. Then I spent the summer with my then-boyfriend (we're long distance) and we realized we had a choice to make- spend the ring money having a kickass summer vacation, or spend no money and get the ring. We chose the amazing summer. It was the best two months of my life- we didn't live extravagently, we just let ourselves go to the movies, eat good food, take a weekend camping trip. At the end of the summer, he proposed with an $8 Wal-Mart ring. No one could tell it was fake (or they were too polite to say anything), but it started to turn my finger green after about a week. He then purchased a setting very similar to the Novo I had been lusting after, with small diamonds down the side, and a CZ center stone in the shape I wanted. Going with a CZ meant that he was able to afford a beautiful, quality setting I can keep forever, and simply replace the center stone at a later date. Then he proposed all over again- only I got to plan it this time around. I honestly would not have it any other way. I got an amazing summer vacation, TWO proposals, and the ring setting of my dreams- and once again, no one can tell the center stone is fake, plus the real side stones give off so much sparkle the overall effect is still pretty brilliant. And now that I'm faced with all this wedding planning, I'm really glad we only spent about $1,000 on the ring, because otherwise we'd be feeding our guests PB&J.

3 years

I think the man shld buy what the woman wants in their budget. If men can spend $ on their cars, video games, flat screens, etc why not invest $$ in a ring that their woman will presumably have forever?! I've seen beautiful rings for $800 & beautiful rings for $8000. If the man has the $ why not? My boyfriend bought a $1800 flat screen a week before he got my ring, which I later found out he paid $1000 for! I'm not materialistic but that hurt a little that he paid more for something that will only last a few years. I probably wouldn't care as much if I liked the ring but it was totally not my style. We exchanged the ring for a $3000 one I love that is SO pretty but he is STILL making the layaway payments on it (partly cause he's still pissed I didn't like the ring he picked). Sometimes I wish I would have kept it & upgraded later but I feel that I'm worth it & that he was being cheap! FYI, $3000 is not even 1 month salary for him..he's cheap & has $ mgmt issues!

3 years

I think at the end of the day it comes to this, if buying a ring can make someone happy and that the money spent towards it will NOT affect your/or your family's daily life (food etc)...and you have decent savings. Then, why not? Whether you think is worth it or not, well... is up to you. Somethings you cannot put a dollar value on it. Yes, a ring you purchased COSTS 3000USD, but to the person recieving it maybe WORTH say, a trillion dollars.

PinkNC 3 years

Wow 1/4 I did awful on this one. I don't think I've ever done so bad on any quiz on POP.

3 years

Rock on Lilkimbo

lilkimbo 3 years

Obviously you cared enough to make a snarky comment and others cared enough to respond, so that's clearly not true!

3 years

lilkimbo, nobody cares but you about if you're right

3 years

It might be "ridiculous" for some to spend that kind of money, but for others $3,000 for a ring is not asking a whole lot. I wanted (and received) a pricier ring and that's my prerogative. While some can't understand spending a lot on weddings in general, don't worry about others who want to spend their money that way.

4 years

ooh another good point i've never heard anyone mention... what is the tradition for the bride getting the groom's ring? is she supposed to surprise him with it? is is part of the engagement ring set? how much is the averge cost for a man's ring?

queenegg 4 years

$3200 for a ring is ridiculous as is the wedding dress being a couple thousand as well. I make a decent living, but will NEVER waste my money on something like that.

wackydeli 4 years

marriage,dresses ,engagement rings all seems like a load of crap just to make jewelers and everyone in the business of weddings rich.

SaRaH 22 4 years

oy people it was an opinion! And about the financing you dont have to finance a ring in order for it to be 3 months salary....you can save it on the side and then when you have the $$ go shopping then. And then that way if it does take you longer to save it because of financial diff. then no one would ever have to know. Sending Kim some love...I didnt get any right

SaRaH 22 4 years

4 years

10-year anniversary is not diamond, it's tin. 60-year anniversary is diamond.

GlowingMoon 4 years

Going off topic a little bit -- Let's not forget about the 10-year marriage anniversary! Per tradition, that's the diamond anniversary (when it comes to diamonds, I'm stickler on tradition!)! ;) :)I wonder what the pricing guidelines are for the 10-year diamond anniversary gift? Conceivably, the couple should be better off financially (hopefully, after ten years of marriage). :)Incidentally, I received my 10-year anniversary gift early. My husband ADVANCED me my diamond gift. He presumed we would still be together for 10 years of marriage, so he got me my diamond gift early so I could enjoy it sooner. I love that man! ;) :)

GlowingMoon 4 years

Going off topic a little bit -- Let's not forget about the 10-year marriage anniversary! Per tradition, that's the diamond anniversary (when it comes to diamonds, I'm stickler on tradition!)! ;) :) I wonder what the pricing guidelines are for the 10-year diamond anniversary gift? Conceivably, the couple should be better off financially (hopefully, after ten years of marriage). :) Incidentally, I received my 10-year anniversary gift early. My husband ADVANCED me my diamond gift. He presumed we would still be together for 10 years of marriage, so he got me my diamond gift early so I could enjoy it sooner. I love that man! ;) :)

4 years

What is up with the beating up on lilkimbo? Can't she have an opinion without people attacking her?

lilkimbo 4 years

Whatever :oy:

lilkimbo 4 years

Whatever :oy:

danakscully64 4 years

Whhhhat? I don't dislike you at all. My comment was off this comment of yours "But to say that they can't afford the ring is untrue. A lot of people may not be able to afford a ring that expensive, all the meals they eat out, their dream house, a nice honeymoon, and a big wedding."Just because of this recession, I think a lot of people can't afford much of anything. I didn't say that you said everyone had the credit, it's just something to keep in mind about financing, not everyone qualifies. I don't see the $5 a month thing being possible unless the rate eventually went up, that would mean paying for literally 60-70 years. I think a lot of people see an expensive ring these days as optional. And never once did I have a condescending tone, you're reading my comment completely wrong. I never said you didn't live in the real world. Completely neutral comment.

danakscully64 4 years

Whhhhat? I don't dislike you at all. My comment was off this comment of yours "But to say that they can't afford the ring is untrue. A lot of people may not be able to afford a ring that expensive, all the meals they eat out, their dream house, a nice honeymoon, and a big wedding." Just because of this recession, I think a lot of people can't afford much of anything. I didn't say that you said everyone had the credit, it's just something to keep in mind about financing, not everyone qualifies. I don't see the $5 a month thing being possible unless the rate eventually went up, that would mean paying for literally 60-70 years. I think a lot of people see an expensive ring these days as optional. And never once did I have a condescending tone, you're reading my comment completely wrong. I never said you didn't live in the real world. Completely neutral comment.

lilkimbo 4 years

And anon, I'm glad you're happy for me! Although, I don't understand why you put investment in quotation marks... :ponder:

lilkimbo 4 years

I'm not saying that you should spend the money on a ring if you truly can't afford it; I'm saying it's not impossible to get one, dana. And I get that you truly don't like me, but I don't appreciate your condescending tone. Apparently you think I don't live in the real world or something, but I do and I'm well aware of what bills people have.

lilkimbo 4 years

And dana, if people are truly living paycheck to paycheck, it's likely that two times their monthly salary could result in a $5 minimum monthly payment on a ring. I actually helped compile a huge research project on this not too long ago, and the vast majority (about 95%) of people in the U.S. have at least $20 in disposable income each month. (Most people have much more, of course.)

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