Engagment ring size and price?

[TylerSVT]

I couldnt imagine spending anything north of 5 grand... IMO that gets into redic range, like 1ct solitares rich.

[topfiverecords]

3-4k for me. 2 months salary was reasonable 30 years ago, but now it really depends on what she wants (also not what she tells you she wants, but what she really wants).

Check out bluenile.ca. You can select your diamond, see the grading resorts and choose your setting. You'll get more diamond per dollar than at most jewelers. Make sure you know her absolute size as there's no resizing on Canadian orders.

Some good threads I read here about the same topic:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=74543
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=71248

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Table 5

yeah, or you know, we can also spend it on something like a mortgage, kids college education, retirement.....nah, screw it, let's waste all our savings on something who's value is derived from how shiny it is.

I would suggest spending what you're comfortable with. I mean, some people spend insane amounts of money on stuff like buying an iphone every year, getting the latest TV, or eating fancy dinners every weekend. They do this depsite having a mortgage, and needing to save for a kid's college education. I don't see this as any different really. If someone feels they can afford it and wants to afford it, then that's their choice.

[bringtheheat]

The Ring im currently looking at buying for her is around 2700 from Michael Hill

[habernac]

find out the style she wants and don't spend a ridiculous amount.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I would suggest spending what you're comfortable with. I mean, some people spend insane amounts of money on stuff like buying an iphone every year, getting the latest TV, or eating fancy dinners every weekend. They do this depsite having a mortgage, and needing to save for a kid's college education. I don't see this as any different really. If someone feels they can afford it and wants to afford it, then that's their choice.

Oh I don't disagree, if people are comfortable spending a lot of money on a ring, that's fine with me. I just didn't like the insinuation that if you don't spend a crapload, you don't value your wife. The ring is not what makes a marriage.

It's the cooking.

[Regorium]

Get her this.

[algernon]

Originally Posted by Regorium

Get her this.

Looks like a bullet's shell. Fitting.

Oh, and Kijijii made my engagement possible. Luckily, she was more than happy with it. I would have wondered about her if she was worried about the cost.

[Bunk]

I got one custom made for her - cost about $5500.

Previous engagement cost about $7000

[Table 5]

Don't you get the ring back if things fall through?

[MarchHare]

My wife doesn't wear jewelry and specifically told me she didn't want an engagement ring. She said she'd rather I take the money I would have spent on one and put it aside for a mortgage down payment instead. Just another of the many reasons that I married her.

[Drury18]

I can't believe the price some people pay for engagement rings. I mean if you have the money and want to, that's fine but to me it's just a piece of jewellery. When I was married, my engagement ring and wedding ring cost a combined total of $200. I put the money saved towards buying a car so I could get to work and school, not starting out in a good amount of debt over a silly ring.

[Finner]

Check out www.jamesallen.com

Was fantastic when i bought my engagement ring last year. They're made in the USA so no duty is charged. Plus you actually get to select the diamond you put in the ring. In other words each diamond you can see online so you can view where any defects in the ring are, so if its a high quality cut but has some defects that would be hidden by how it's mounted in the ring you can get it for cheap.

I ended up spending around 2500, however in store for the same ring it would have been over 4000.

[Da Bosman]

Diamonds are the biggest scam going. I used to work at a jewellery store. I sold a ring to one sucker for 4200. He came back in four months later saying things didn't work out and we offered him 500 to buy it back. Turned around and sold it for 2900 the second time!

If you are going to spend more than five grand, book two tickets to Sierra Leone and buy a diamond on the street there for 500, it will be worth 40k here in Canada.

[username]

My best friend recently got engaged. He got what was basically a 10K ring on this site for 6 - easily the cheapest out there:

http://www.bluenile.ca/

This site is seriously putting jewellery stores in a lot of trouble.

As for the 3 month idea, ha I'd never spend that kind of dough on a ring - 10K on a ring is lots imo

[CaptainCrunch]

[flamesflames444]

I second bluenile.ca. If anything, it gives you a good benchmark as to what a given diamond is worth. Personally, I bought the engagement ring in the US. Although it can be a bit worrisome buying something sight unseen as long as you are dealing with a reputable jeweller and the diamond is certified by one of the big appraisal outfits, then you have nothing to worry about. The specific ring I purchased was a brand name ring and I saved around 40% or $4K by buying down there as opposed to the only dealer who sells the same type of ring here in Calgary, even after haggling with the Calgary store for their rock bottom price.

[flamesflames444]

And I almost forgot... the 2 or 3 month rule or whatever it is originated as a very clever market campaign by Deboers. Funny thing is it has worked out rather well for jewellers as a lot of people now use it as their spending guideline!

[stampsx2]

I heard 30 months salary or $200,000 whichever is higher. Gimme a break. Whoever made up these rules most likely works for a jewelery company.

Buy her a ring she will be happy with. If it costs half a years salary to make her happy then get out now. If she doesn't mind you going broke at her expense she's probably not a woman you will be happy with.

Personally I wouldn't care if my ring was a diamond or just glass. I don't wear mine alot because I'm afraid of losing the diamond (like my mom did) or scratching some kid while I'm teaching swimming lessons.

I think it would depend on the woman... the "25 % salary" thing is old-school.
I like the putting the money to a mortage idea. Or take her on a kick a$$ honeymoon with your savings.