Engagement Ring Budgets: How to Split the Money Wisely

Ignore the 'two months salary' rule. A useful budget is one that gets you a ring you are happy to look at every day, without borrowing for it.

How to allocate

A workable split: 55–65% on the stone, 25–35% on metal and setting, and a 10% buffer for resizing, engraving or a sizing change later.

What each budget buys

• Under $300 — 1ct-equivalent moissanite in 925 silver, or a smaller lab-grown diamond in 10K gold. Real, certified, and not a compromise on looks.
• $300–800 — 1–2ct moissanite in 14K gold, or a 0.7–1ct lab-grown diamond solitaire. This is the sweet spot for most buyers.
• $800–2,000 — 2ct+ moissanite in 18K, or a 1.5–2ct lab-grown diamond with a halo or three-stone setting.
• $2,000+ — large lab-grown diamond, platinum setting, fully bespoke design.

Where to save without regret

• Colour grade: G–H instead of D–F in a gold setting
• Clarity: VS instead of VVS
• Metal: 14K instead of 18K for daily wear

Where never to save

Cut, and the setting's structural quality. A beautiful stone in thin, poorly-made prongs is a lost stone waiting to happen.

See the full buying guide.