Setting A Budget

Setting a budget for your engagement ring is an important place to start when it comes to creating a ring. Your personal ring budget will largely shape your search for the perfect diamond or gemstone and design. Knowing your limits and having a rough idea of what you would like to spend on your ring will help you whittle down the options and allow you to find the very best, at a price that works for you. Follow this guide to find out how much to spend on your engagement ring.

It is totally up to you how much to spend on an engagement ring, and as one of life’s biggest and most significant purchases, it is important you feel comfortable with the budget figure you reach.

Over the years many myths have evolved about how much should be spent on an engagement ring – some say two month’s salary, others say three. The reality is, our life decisions aren’t (and shouldn’t be) run by the rules of others - the ‘rules’ to spend ‘x’ amount of month’s salary on a ring were a marketing ploy created by a well-known jewellery company to increase revenue made from diamonds following America’s Great Depression and World Wars. What is right for others won’t necessarily be right for you, and while it is worth buying the best you can afford, the gem and band you choose needn’t break the bank.

There are no hard and fast rules, and if one person feels happy to save up a substantial sum, another will be looking for something simpler and more cost-effective. Think about how much you can seriously put aside, and go from there.

Engagement rings start from around £1,400 for a simple solitaire ring with a natural 0.30ct diamond - or a little less for a lab diamond ring.

The diamond you choose will be the main driver of its price; the bigger and better quality the diamond, the higher the value.

You should also take into account the cost of your preferred design; solitaire rings are simple and will cost the least, while adding a diamond band, halo, split shank or bespoke detailing will incur further costs.

The only person who can truly know how much you should spend on your ring is you - but we’re here to help as much as we can. An engagement ring is a significant purchase - but some will see the value in spending significant amounts more than others. An open discussion with your partner may help you establish an appropriate figure, or you may prefer to keep your decision private, particularly for a surprise proposal.

There are a number of ways you can find the best diamond and ring design for your budget, from compromising on certain diamond characteristics, to considering lab grown diamonds. Here are our top tips for getting the most for your engagement ring budget.

Diamond prices rise exponentially with carat weight - so one diamond weighing 1ct would cost considerably more than multiple diamonds with a total carat weight of 1ct. Designs like halo rings or trilogy rings make the most of multiple diamonds to encourage the ring to appear bigger, and enhance the size of the central diamond.

Diamonds are priced depending on the quality of their characteristics and, most significantly, their carat weight. Diamonds that hit certain carat weights, like a 1 carat diamond, will see a significant price jump from those as little as 0.01ct lighter. An ‘underweight’ diamond, like a 0.99ct diamond, could cost significantly less than 1ct, despite the visible difference being negligible. They aren’t always easy to find, but an ‘underweight’ diamond can be a super way to save while achieving your desired diamond size.