I've always thought 2-3 months salary was a bit much on a diamond ring. . .

HOWEVER, after I saw an episode of "60 Minutes" that focused on the DeBeers cartel, I realized that ANYONE willing to part with 2-3 months salary on a diamond is an idiot. . . Further, any woman that would force the man "see loves" into doing so is also an idiot. . .

Fact: Diamonds have slightly more value than GLASS. . .

Fact: Diamonds ARE NOT truly precious stones. . . The value of diamonds was created by DeBeers, period.

Fact: DeBeers controls approximately 66% of the world's diamond market, and SIGNIFICANTLY limits the annual supply of diamonds into the world market.

Fact: The DeBeers stock piles of diamonds are so large that if they released even a fraction of their supply onto the market, diamonds would be nearly worthless. . .

Fact: If another country tries to sell its diamonds on the world market without DeBeers, DeBeers will "flood" the market with similar stones thus reducing the value of the competing country's stones to nothing. . .

Bottomline, the question isn't whether someone should spent $2K or $200K on a sign of affection for their loved one. The question is should that money be spent on a diamond. The answer, is no. . .

If you want to spend big $$ on a stone, get something of real value, not something that's been marketed into valuable. . .

 

I had the best wife, she picked out her own engagement ring, only cost me about 600 or 800. But her mom complained so half a year later I bought her another ring about twice the size and price. Our wedding bands didn't match, but I got her something she liked. We both liked platinum.

She was a great woman, still is. I miss her very much. I hope she finds herself a good man. She is definitly the best woman I have ever met.

 

Guys, I'm actually with you too regarding spending money on diamonds.

My wife still doesn't have an engagement ring, I have never owned nor worn any sort of ring, never mind a wedding ring and my wife's wedding ring cost me somewhere in the order of 2-3 days salary.

My point though, puremagik, is that you should be going into a marriage as a long term goal and not having second thoughts, especially not thinking about divorce and pre-nuptial agreements (P.S. I know you weren't).

I suggest you talk it over with your fiance'. Don't forget, a big ring can be very important in a woman's life - just as important to her as an S2000 would be to you (if not more so).

As for my wife, what is most important to her is our children's education. What this means is that I am shelling out $50k pa for 12 years for private school fees - hopefully a good investment for all of us. Different strokes for different folks.

 

If you wanna listen to everything businesses tell you then:
You should drink 50 gallons of Coke, Pepsi, etc./day.
Eat butter, NOT margerine.
Eat margerine, NOT butter.
Change your tampon at least 20 times/day.
The bigger the "wings" the better.
10 Snickers bars/day.
GEEZ LOUISE!!!
Don't spend any more on a ring than what it will cost to divorce her!

 

You know...I engaged my fiance before I even had the notion to buy the ring. This was the ultimate show of her feelings and thoughts of being with me.....she wasn't even disappointed when I didn't present her with ring.

For what I know and feel for her now after that, I regret not having the ring for her when I asked her....I ended up getting her such a simple designed (but elegantly designed) ring with a diamond and a sapphire that I don't think a girl would be ashamed of.

What she loved about the ring, even more than the near perfect diamond, was the fact that I designed it. What I loved about giving it to her was the surprise and sheer joy in her eyes and tears..... If I had to do it again, I would spend three times as much, if I had to let go of the S2K, I would.

If you have found THE girl, then do what you can to make her happy. She will return the favor 10 fold. If you truly love her, her happiness is all that matters <--keep in mind though, her happiness shouldn't be bought each and every time....

 

A couple thoughts here:
WSB, a $500-$1000 ring is going to look pretty dinky. Have you looked at rings lately??

DaveZ, I have my grandmother's ring, which is 1.25 carats with outstanding color and clarity set in platinum. The stone is on the large side (it's shallow cut, so it has most of its mass on the top), but it's not gaudy and is a beautiful piece of jewelry that I constantly get compliments on. Still, the size makes me nervous. I'm constantly afraid I'm going to whack it on something, and my tiny little 95 lb grandmother already managed to chip the stone somehow...

My advice? Anything less than a 1/3 carat looks a little silly. 1/2 to 3/4 is a nice size, but if you go for the important stuff (color and clarity... very very very very important), it's going to cost you more. As for the diamond vs. any other stone debate, I don't think what kind of stone you buy should matter to anyone other than you and your soon to be. Keep in mind that a good emerald or sapphire, especially the deepest, darkest ones, will cost you more than a similar quality diamond!

Personally, I prefer diamonds not because society seems to think you should have one, but because of the way a good one sparkles in the sunlight and in a lot of different colors. I have a few pieces of jewelry that I bought for myself, and they are all diamonds. I'm a sucker for sapphires too though.

S2KFan, I've been in a similar boat... best of luck to you!

 

2 Months Salary - at least
Diamonds are not cheap, and you can get different cuts, quality, and sizes. 2-3 carats should do it

axcilla

 

Diamond rings for marriage proposals are degrading for women.
However, most ladies want them. If it makes them happy....why not.
It is not an investment, since you won't get it back in any case as long as she marries you. It is a binding contract.
Giving a diamond ring is stupid enough, if you had to "follow" a rule, that's even worse.
Anyway, the ring I gave her was slightly heavier than 1 carat.
It was as colorless as it gets, as in D color. with clarity of vs1.
1 Carat is big enough for D color to make a different...but isn't big enough to worth buying a flawless diamond.
And of course, if you get a colorless diamond, you must set it on platinum or white gold. Why? Show off of course!
Why do you think ladies want a diamond ring?
We compare pricks, they compare diamond rings.
They have a better deal of course, you can change diamond ring any time you want.

Anyway, it was around 10k....and at the time, that was all I could afford.

 

I am a jeweler, and have been so for the last five years. There is a LOT of misinformation in this thread.

There is no "rule" that says you have to spend two months' salary. It's just a general guideline. Spend as much or as little as you wish. However, keep in mind who traditionally pays for the wedding. It's the bride's family. Weddings can get very expensive, very fast. Even if it's a relatively small wedding....figure 100 people at $100 a head...that's $10,000 just for the wedding!! Spending a few thousand on an engagement ring may sound like a lot, but you are actually getting off cheap. Ideally, you only should do it once in your life, so why take shortcuts? FWIW...DeBeers is disintegrating before our eyes. Diamonds will not become worthless.

 

Asian wedding here in Southern California is $40K just for the wedding event and at least $15K for the rings because the girls around here were raised to not accept anything less.

Tan