The sublimal messages say to spend "2 months salary" for your engagement ring/ diamond.

Well, assuming you are employed full time and depending on your occupation, that could mean spending anywhere from $2000 to over $20000.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you actually came close to spending 2 months worth (or more) of your salary on a diamond engagement ring?

I realize a diamond ring should be viewed as a committment to your significant other, and not just a monetary "investment"... But even though I "love" my girlfriend, if we get divorced down the road, I would agonize over the fact that I gave her a ring worth a new Honda Civic. I rarely jump into anything blindly without considering different scenarios, so forgive me if it seems shallow to be talking about divorce before I'm even married...

 

I agree with you. Two months salary for a rock on a gold band? I don't think so. Two month's salary for me is close to 10 grand, and there's no way I'd drop that kind of cash on what amounts to a fairly meaningless decoration, that is all too easily lost. I'd rather spend $500-1000 for a nice but reasonable ring, and spend the other $9000 for an extended honeymoon that we'd never forget.

If an engagement is truly founded in love, than an expensive gift shouldn't be required to "seal" it.

 

Well, I'll through my two cents in even though I'm not married / engaged, etc. but I have to agree that spending that kind of dough on a ring is rediculous. Can you really tell the difference between a $2k ring and a $10k ring (of similar carat size)? I doubt it. I've also seen some absurd sized rings on women - rings so big that they actually look like silly costume jewelry. One more reason not to spend a lot of loot.

 

Actually I think its 3 months salary..but what I want to know is that BEFORE or AFTER taxes?? Gross or Net?!?!?
-- Aaron

 

I'm not married, not planning on being so anytime soon...but this 2/3 month salary bullshit is just that....bullshit! And more importantly, look who started this...the folks who SELL DIAMONDS! Shocking, I realize...but DeBeers et al have been saying this for years.

Save your money, buy her a Power Twins ring from a gumball machine and over a bowl of oatmeal promise her how life will be so perfect and amazing with you. Then buy yourself some shit for your car with the money you save...that's what I plan on doing!

 

I spent about $19K for my wife's 2-carat diamond ring and engagement ring. It took my 6 months savings but she's WOrth it!

The smile and shock on my fiance's face.....PRICELESS!

 

In this age of raging feminism, shouldn't there be an equal exchange? Give her say, a $5K ring and she can give you say, a $5K supercharger. That sounds fair to me.

 

You're right it is shallow. If that is your attitude then you should not be continuing further with this relationship.

 

Have to agree, if you even have thoughts/doubts it isn't worth attempting it.

I just got engaged less than a month ago, and yes I did spend nearly 2 months salary (gross) on the ring. I dated her for 7 years +, so I made sure I was ready (she probably was after the first year). Can you tell the difference between a $2k ring and a $10k ring of similar carats. Well let's put it this way.....HELL YES! Go down to a reputable jeweler (sp?) and check. Color, design, clarity dead giveaways once you've seen about 10 of them it's easy to spot the differences.


DMX - 6 months salary? Damn dude you must have a lot of money sitting around either that or you have no bills to worry about.

 

..........I am a happily married, straight, male hairdresser. ( you guys probably didn't think that existed) and I talk to women 12 hours a day,six days a week for a living.

The key to women ( listen up, fellas) is LOW MAINTENANCE !!

........It's all about the woman and her expectations of your relationship. If she is demanding that you give her a big rock - get rid of her! If YOU want to give her a token of your love and affection, then make it one you are comfortable with. There will be so many financial obligations after your marriage (house, babies,etc.) that you will want all the spare cash you have. If you love her, marry her, if she loves you, she'll marry you, stay married a long time and then when you're financially comfortable, buy her a large ring if you want. But, don't do it now.

Personally, my wife's present to myself is being built in Tochigi, Japan as we speak