So, some of You may have an idea why I ask. For the others, I've known my Girlfriend for ~10 years now, been with her ~7years of that time. We've been deemed married by commonlaw for a little while now

Well, bout time to make it official. I'm taking her on vaca in a few weeks and will pop the Ques then.

Which means, all of the rings that I've been perusing lately need to either Jump into my pocket -or- meld together to become a custom ring as I see fit.

Either way, there will be an exodus of moolah involved.

I've always heard the old adage that a gentleman should spend 1/4 of his salary on the ring. I don't know where this came from or if anyone abides by it (I don't)... so I was curious:

What do You guys think is a good Rule of Thumb?

-Nick

Congrats!!

Anyways; I've always been of the opinion that the ring isn't as important as the meaning. I'd rather give her a $10 ring and have the best relationship ever, than give her a $10,000 ring and have a miserable relationship.

I guess it depends on what fits your lifestyle. If you live the extravagent lifestyle; I could see needing a 2nd mtg on your house. If the two of you have always been the more conservative type, I don't see the need for anything more than 1 or 2 months salary (which, in my case, is next to nothing )

Buy her a case of ring pops and call it a day...

I am no where near ready to be in that position. I do feel that it is important to stay out of debt. I think that I will save up the money until I am ready. I put 6x just cause I feel that in my salary that is about right.

I think >$1k but <$15-$20k

But like I stated, its what YOU can afford, you can always melt it down and make her a new one for the 10 year annaversary.

.....you can always melt it down and make her a new one for the 10 year annaversary.

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Thats an awefully good point. A good friend of mine here has done that. He bought her one, she liked it, but for their 1st anniversary, he took it and had it modded to add birthstones or something that she wanted.

upgradability.. LoL

At least a carat (single stone has to be a carat, if there are extra stones in the setting those do not count) that is clear as water (to the eye) and has no visable (to the eye) cracks. If you steer away from the certs and stick with something that looks great and is a carat you will pay less. If you end up getting cought up in certs and clarity numbers you'll end up in the 10-15k range. A couple of g's is doable. And shop arround and let it be known that you are shopping around so that the seller can give you the I'll match or better whatever low price you find. Remember your lady has to show the ring to all her friends and co workers some of whom are married so you don't want your diamond chip compared to a 2 carot solitare. A 1 to a 1.5 or 1.5 compared to a 2 is no biggie but a .5 compared to a 1.5 is like showing up to a porn shoot with a 2 inch weenie.

A 1 to a 1.5 or 1.5 compared to a 2 is no biggie but a .5 compared to a 1.5 is like showing up to a porn shoot with a 2 inch weenie.

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I got off easy, when my wife and I were married we were poor college students. I think we paid like $1200-$1500 for her ring & guard, that was 12 years ago this month. Damn, been a long time.

Run while you still can!

Money is Money, it comes and goes. I dont think a dollar amunt should be tagged to a ring. Personal preference should be. Does she like large stand out stones or does she like smaller more reserved stones. Some women dont like the attention a large ring brings.

I personally love Diamonds and would have no problems putting 2+ Karrots on her finger but my GF dosnt like big rings. So to me there is no use spending the money if she wont like it!!!

umm... i guess im a little too young for this conversation but CONGRATS NICK!!!

umm... i guess im a little too young for this conversation but CONGRATS NICK!!!

Age means nothing. I dated a girl the last 3 years of high school and was ready. Had a ring, then that went South. 18 years old, passionately in love and ready to spend my life with her. I still love the girl to this day, but the engagement ring made a nice downpayment on my first Mustang.

ok, lets say im a little too inexperienced then

ok, lets say im a little too inexperienced then

I can hook you up. What's your zip code? I know a lot of people.

Sorry to go off-topic Nick. BTW, Tom, you have to cut your hair before I can help you.

Sorry to go off-topic Nick.  BTW, Tom, you have to cut your hair before I can help you.

i may cut it, i may not

but either way, it doesnt help my inability to have any sort of meaningful relationship

wow, that was off topic

Nick, get her something she'll like and what you can afford, thats all i can say

it doesnt help my inability to have any sort of meaningful relationship

I feel your pain, and take care of that as it will be detrimental to the rest of your life. I speak from experience.

Nick, I will be at the bachelor party. Just pop open the cake and be ready for a surprise!

ok, lets say im a little too inexperienced then

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I can hook you up. What's your zip code? I know a lot of people.

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LMAO

it doesnt help my inability to have any sort of meaningful relationship

I feel your pain, and take care of that as it will be detrimental to the rest of your life. I speak from experience.

Nick, I will be at the bachelor party. Just pop open the cake and be ready for a surprise!

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uggggh, No cake action for YOU! unless You have a couple of Magnums... and I don't mean the latex kind.

Anyone that wants to come, is welcome! Though... I have no idea when any of that'll happen. LoL

oooo! BACHELOR PARTY!!!!

we can all give random speaker parts to Nick so that he can adorn the strippers with his magical gifts

I like the ring pop idea.

Those are good.

Update???

just get a ring that say 'i love you' not one that says im a cheap horny bastard or im loaded marry me for $$$

I hit 19 years of "wedded bliss" this past June.......when we tied the knot we were both broke kids,and we got what we could afford. Over time the diamond has grown significantly (.5 to 1.5), but she still had her engagement ring and wedding band soldered together so it could hold a larger mount. 1/4 of your salary may be pushing it since she has been costing you more than that for the past 10 years , but go with something adaquate (1 to 1.5) and you both will be happy.

Think of it as an investment in your happiness. Get here a tiny rock and although she will never admit it she will sure as hell show you how unhappy she is. Remember they are all crazy, not from venus, just plain crazy.....