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Engagement Ring Cost

How Much Does an Engagement Ring Cost?

low costLow: $125-$500
low costMedium: $1,000-$2,000
low costHigh: $3,500-$5,000+

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Typical costs:
  • For an engagement ring, on the low end, expect to pay $125 to $500 for a quarter carat, or smaller, solitaire diamond set in 14-karat gold, or for diamond alternatives such as other gemstones, moissanite or cubic zirconia. Examples include this moissanite "Russian Brilliants Solitaire Ring" from RussianBrilliants.net and this "white gold cross over diamond ring" from Mondera.com.
  • In the mid range, the cost would be $1,000 to $2,000 for mid- or high-quality solitaire diamond up to .75 carats in a simple platinum setting or maybe a carved or filigree 18K gold band. An example is this platinum diamond solitaire ring from BlueNile.com.
  • And, at the high end, $3,500 to $5,500 buys a high-quality one-carat diamond set in 18-karat gold or platinum, such as this princess-cut diamond solitaire ring from BlueNile.com.
  • Sometimes smaller side stones are included, such as in the "round brilliant with pear sidestones" ring from Tiffany & Co.Of course, prices can go much higher for a diamond larger than one carat, a center diamond flanked by diamond baguettes or a band with channel-set diamonds.
  • The Gemological Institute of America offers tips on how to make a wise purchase.
What should be included:
  • Sizing is usually included.
Additional costs:
  • Like all valuable jewelry, engagement rings should be insured. Before buying insurance, get an independent "replacement value" appraisal and check to see whether your homeowner's insurance covers loss for reasons other than theft and, if so, what is the dollar limit. Check to see if you can add a rider to your insurance to more fully cover the ring. WeddingSolutions.com offers ten tips for appraising and insuring an engagement ring.
  • With vintage or antique diamond rings, sizing might cost $20 to $50 extra. Also, depending on the condition of the ring and whether it has been sized before, a jeweler might not be willing to risk damaging the ring by altering it more than a size or two.
  • For a custom-made engagement ring, expect to pay a design fee of at least $200.
Discounts:
  • Tip: Look at jewelry stores for post-holiday sales right after Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas.
Shopping for an engagement ring:
  • Consider choosing a stone separately and having it set. If you really want to save money and avoid jeweler mark-ups on diamonds, The Association for Wedding Professionals International suggests checking pawnshops for a diamond ring and having the stone reset.
  • DiamondTutorials.com has a guide on how to buy an engagement ring. And The Knot.com has a primer on different styles.
  • If you or your future fiance is concerned about "conflict diamonds" that might come from a war zone in Africa, you have several alternative options. Polar Bear Diamonds are government-certified to be mined and cut in Canada under fair labor practices.
  • Moissanite, a laboratory-created gemstone, resembles a diamond but costs less. Moissanite.com offers a retailer locator, and Weddings.About.com offers a primer on moissanite. Or, Greenkarat.com, sells rings made from recycled gold and recycled or lab-created gemstones.
  • Websites such as Topazery.com and AntiqueJewelryMall.com sell vintage and antique diamond and non-diamond engagement rings. FayCullen.com offers a guide to styles of antique engagement rings.
  • Popular online engagement ring sellers include BlueNile.com, which has a build-your-own ring feature, DanforthDiamond.com and JamesAllen.com
Article updated March 2007
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
buy estate
Amount: $3,500.00
Posted by: Jenny in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.Posted: January 3rd, 2008 12:01PM
Store: www.doverjewelry.comStyle: Art Deco
Buying estate is sooooooooo much cheaper than buying retail or even from a dealer. You have to be careful about what your buying but if you know what to look for you can spend thousands less on something comparable from a retail store. My then boyfriend let me pick out my own ring. After going to mayor's and a few other stores I was thinking I wouldn't be able to find something I liked in our price range. HIT THE WEB! the best deals to be had are out there. I found a ring that I fell in love with it and my mom's jeweler loved it as well.
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How much is it actually worth?
Amount: $19.00
Posted by: ssuess in Binghamton, NY.Posted: February 7th, 2009 09:02AM
Store: bid on internetStyle: marquis
Stylish Engagement Ring Ring With 4.05ctw "CUBIC ZIRCONIA" in 14K/925 Gold plated Silver- Size 6 - Certificate Available.
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How much is it worth?
Amount: $500.00
Posted by: melody price in modesto, CA.Posted: May 17th, 2009 01:05PM
Store: Devons JewelersStyle: engagement
i have a 6 1/2 White gold 3 stone diamond ring. .17 ct. round cut. how can i figure out how much it is worth?
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Engagement Ring
Amount: $2,750.00
Posted by: fiz in Hamden, CT.Posted: July 24th, 2009 08:07AM
Store: Joesph Conte JewelerStyle: Solitaire w/side accents
I am a man. Men don\\\'t like spending money on jewelry, but we like giving meaningful gifts to our women. With that being said, if I can communicate one thing to keep in mind when ring shopping be it this. \\\"The ring you buy today is the one she will wear for the rest of her life.\\\" Buy within your means, scrap and save money in advance [I did for a year doing all kinds of odd jobs], but buy something that will make her melt when she sees it. My jeweler is a true craftsman and helped me pick out the right clarity diamond that wasn\\\'t neccessarily the biggest diamond. He made the ring from scratch to a design I printed off the internet and was reasonable overall in price. Also, I recommend going to a private jeweler. I found big chains can be intimidating, over-priced, and lacking in craftsmanship and knowledge. And I am a superstitious guy so I don\\\'t trust the internet for an engaement ring, I want to see it before I buy it. Good Luck!
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Engagement Ring
Amount: $1,600.00
Posted by: sarah723 in Loveland, CO.Posted: December 7th, 2009 10:12AM
Store: HelzbergStyle: Princess Cut .33 Carat
I LOVE my engagement ring, and after months of searching for the perfect ring at a manageable price I finally found mine!
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Engagement Ring
Amount: $12,000.00
Posted by: bridetobe in Waterloo, IA.Posted: December 27th, 2009 03:12PM
Store: Facets by SusongStyle: Emerald Cut 1.67, 4.81 tcw
This ring was custom made based on two different rings that I liked
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Engagement ring
Amount: $10,500.00
Posted by: a user in Alpharetta, GA.Posted: February 5th, 2010 04:02AM
Store: Rubin BrothersStyle: Round 1.3 carat
I got a 1.3 carat D, VS1 diamond for $9,500 and the setting was a E. Jaffe white gold band for $1,000. This was a good deal considering Blue Nile had it for $13,227. I would recommend definitely seeing the diamond versus buying off the internet because they all look different and you have to see it for yourself. Go for the best cut to get the most sparkle about all else.
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Engagement Ring
Amount: $2,480.00
Posted by: Heather Nichole in Birmingham, AL.Posted: June 9th, 2010 10:06AM
Store: Dimonds Direct BirminghamStyle: Princess Cut Solitare 1.2 carat
I will forever be greatful to Dimonds Direct in Birmingham, Al for letting me design the ring of my dreams and still stay in our price range. I will NEVER buy jewlery from anywhere else!
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antique engagement ring
Amount: $2,250.00
Posted by: charles m in New yoek, NY.Posted: June 21st, 2010 02:06AM
Store: artdecodiamonds.comStyle: antique
We purchased a gorgeous antique engagement ring from artdecodiamonds.com I would recommend this site becuase the ring looked exactly like the picture and the ring is a beautiful original antique. Suzanne was wonderful, my wife and I are really happy!
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Engagement Ring
Amount: $2,200.00
Posted by: Ed8 in Greenville, SC.Posted: December 26th, 2010 08:12PM
Store: ReedsStyle: Princess Cut - 3 Stone
I found this ring at Reed's and knew that my fiancee would love it because of the low, elegant setting. It's a 1 carat, white gold, princess cut diamond ring. Very nice.
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