Ring prices

MaryGraceRich

I used to work in a jewelry store. They allow the SO of employees to make a one time purchase of an ering using thr employees discount. Had he not used my discount I would have never expected him to get the ring that I got. Full price its $8600. He got it for much less than that. 1ct G color SI2 with and excellent cut.
FWIW the quality of the cut of the diamond is what makes a diamond sparkle so much. That can bring the price of a diamond up by A TON. Additionally natural rubies, sapphires and emeralds can cost just as much as diamonds if not more. Gemstone value is based on rarity.
Here is my ring. I love it soooooo much!

MaryGraceRich

Sorry pic didnt attach first time.
Ring porn!

OnceUponAVine

My sister's ring is a giant garnet surrounded by little diamonds and cost less than $1,000 but it was the ring she fell in love with so it was what her fiance bought her.
Now, I'm more a diamond girl with pretty particular tastes but my BF had his mother's diamond (which is gorgeous) reset into something I preferred which costs all of $500.
So, its not the amount spent, but whether or not you love your ring. And if your preference is blue sapphires then let your BF know that because at the end of the day you'll be the one wearing it for the rest of your life.

DeeDeeMarie32

The future fiancé and I have gone ring shopping once (this past weekend, actually), and he's the one that wants to go bigger and better.  I was looking more in the $300-$500 range (1/3 to 1/2 carat), but he keeps telling me the ring is a reflection of him and his love for me, so he wants to go bigger.  I'm a bit frugal (and yes, plan to be a budget/DIY bride!) so I'm trying to spare his wallet, but in the end, I'll let him decide what he wants to spend (as long as it's less than $1000)!  But I did tell him I don't want it too big!!!

HisGirlFriday13

I didn't know, for a long time, how much my engagement ring cost. DH didn't want to tell me, and I didn't find out until we got them appraised for our renters' insurance.

To me, what was more important was that he got something that was very "me" -- it's a cushion-cut sapphire with a diamond halo and a half-eternity diamond pave band. All of the stones and the metal (white gold) are certified conflict-free, which was the biggest point of all to me.

DeBeers started the 'A Diamond Is Forever' campaign after diamonds were discovered in Africa as a way to (a) increase the demand while (b) restricting the supply, thus driving up the prices. I did not want a diamond -- even a conflict-free diamond -- for that reason, although those are my personal political views and not shared by everyone, I realise. 

heatheremanderson

My fiance cut costs by cutting out the middle man. You can often get much better affordability by not buying retail and having a diamond wholesaler design the ring. You end up with better quality and usually a more personal touch. On account of what I do for a living, the ring he designed was kept in mind to be able to put surgical gloves on without the ring damaging the latex. Simple, low cut and perfect.

Dignity100

My ring is just ordered - don't have it yet.  We spent more than I would have liked on the ring - I picked out the setting over a year ago.  I looked and looked and looked and couldn't find anything that compared to it in my eyes but I showed him a few things that I liked and told him 'We can always upgrade later'.  He kept saying 'if that's the one you love - we'll just wait and save up' - so that's what we ended up doing.  I also tried to save by looking at alternative stones to put as the center stone, but he was dead set on a diamond.  My ring will be 18k Palladium White Gold with a .93 diamond - G color - SI1 (feathering where a prong on the ring will cover up) - Hearts & Arrows 'Ideal' cut (Certified as a Russian diamond).  It's more than what I wanted, but after saving (on both sides) it is what I loved and we were able to afford it (we ordered the full ring set).

LDay2014

peachie28 said:

The future fiancé and I have gone ring shopping once (this past weekend, actually), and he's the one that wants to go bigger and better.  I was looking more in the $300-$500 range (1/3 to 1/2 carat), but he keeps telling me the ring is a reflection of him and his love for me, so he wants to go bigger.  I'm a bit frugal (and yes, plan to be a budget/DIY bride!) so I'm trying to spare his wallet, but in the end, I'll let him decide what he wants to spend (as long as it's less than $1000)!  But I did tell him I don't want it too big!!!

My fiance was the same way.  He felt the need to look 'good' to eveyone else, but I could have cared less.  What we ended up doing was going on kijiji (similar to Craigslist) and getting one there.  I ended up with a full carat single solitaire for $1800, didn't break his bank but made him feel like 'the man'.

Some people have a stigma about preowned jewellry, but if you think about it the diamond you are wearing has probably been worn by someone else (estate sales, etc) but the setting is new.  The ring we bought was never used anyway and he gave us the appraisal, bill of sale, and met us at a jewellry store to verify that it was indeed real.  

Just an idea to allow you both to get what you're looking for

natswild

@maybebabytx-the reason the Walmart rings are so "affordable" is because they are low quality-I know this, because I worked for Walmart for 10 years, and involved in bringing in the jewellery. You can certainly get reasonable rings at jewellers-the one we purchased that will hopefully be arriving at the shop in a couple weeks, was $1100 for 1/3 tw 3 diamond bridal set.

Blackbird230

Has anyone ever shopped around on Etsy for rings?

bride2b71614

Kait, I just PMed you about Etsy rings.

bethsmiles

@Kait - BF and I looked almost exclusively on Etsy. We got really frustrated, really fast with jewelers pushing diamond engagement rings on us. I never wanted a diamond but for some reason people just don't seem to believe that. I also loved the selection of rings on Etsy much more than the ones we had seen in person. I'm 99% sure he either is or has gotten the ring he picked from Etsy.

phira

I was in love with a ton of rings on Etsy. We ended up with a local jeweler, but it was hard to find one in Boston who wasn't either like ... Quirky McQuirkerson Jeweler or Super Diamond Incorporated. Etsy has so many wonderful options.

AliLovesJD

We just picked out my ring on Black Friday. I was adamant that I didn't want a diamond. I loved the idea of my birthstone, aquamarine, for the ring. We looked at jewelers and department stores. The one I found ended up being $50 thanks to Black Friday sales. He showed it to my best friend who was shocked at how gorgeous it is! Now, I'm just waiting for the proposal. We did agree not to tell anyone how much it cost. It's no ones business anyway. I'm of the opinion that a lot of people are judgmental if you don't have an expensive ring or a diamond at least. Although it feels like the climate on this is changing.