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.
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[1] .
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[2] .
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[3] offers tips on how to make a wise purchase.
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[4] 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[5] 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[6] 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[7] 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. Greenkarat.com[8] , sells rings made from recycled gold and recycled or lab-created gemstones.
Websites such as Topazery.com[9] and AntiqueJewelryMall.com[10] 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[11] , which has a build-your-own ring feature, DanforthDiamond.com[12] and JamesAllen.com[13]
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My fiance got my engagement ring from BBBGEM and it is gorgeous. I have worn it continuously since he put it on my finger about a month ago and it still shines beautifully. As a matter of fact it puts the shine of diamonds to shame every time it is next to it! A local jeweler was amazed at the beauty and uniqueness of the ring and confirmed that they are genuine beautiful moissanite stones! Additionally her communication was stellar per my fiance! Cannot wait to get the match wedding band from her as well!
i I purchased a three stone style engadgement ring from jtelsen.. the price is $1,219.00.Six Prong Round Brilliant and Marquise Shoulder Set Classic Prong Diamond Engagement Ring is beautiful the cost prices for this ring is very genuine. i love this site because they give a quality service.
I was very hesitant when purchasing anything on line especially an antique ring. Suzanne at vintagediamondring .com made the experience very easy and safe!
Both my engagement and wedding ring came from here. Excellent customer service and beautiful rings. I have had many comments, friends and strangers, on my engagement ring. I love them but after measuring myself with the provided ring measurer they have come much bigger, I need at least a size smaller, so will have to get them re-sized. My H2B has also had the same problem with his wedding ring. Other than that we are both very happy with service and quality.
Short version of why I need to sell: My husband and I of 12 years are divorcing. I am raising a 9 year old son and an 11 year old daughter by myself and am on disability. The ring is gorgeous, but need to try to sell for obvious reasons. Thank you.
I purchased a antique style engadgement ring in platinum. The center stone is a 2carat oval diamond in a pave setting with 1carat of diamonds. My wedding band is 1/2 carat so ctw of 3.5 carats. Total cost for ring and wedding band $15k all in platinum which was an amazing deal!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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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