How expensive should an engagement ring be?

An important question that quickly comes up when you are looking for an engagement ring for your loved one for 'the big moment'. Traditionally, there are 'labels' or guidelines for your expenditure on an engagement ring.

But ultimately it is much more important to look at what you like and want to spend. And lab grown diamonds are an ideal solution for that; a 100% real diamond engagement ring, but a lot cheaper than a piece of jewelry with natural diamonds.

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Traditionally, an engagement ring should cost two to three net monthly salaries. But this guideline is actually no longer entirely up to date, you can see that this has shifted more to about one monthly salary. The spending pattern has partly shifted from expensive items to experiences, such as an extensive wedding, vacation and outings. In that respect, a lab grown diamond is of course a perfect stone for your engagement ring with a considerable price advantage compared to natural diamonds for the same ring!

How much does an engagement ring cost approximately?

First of all, the cost of an engagement ring is highly dependent on the materials used, for example silver, gold, imitation diamond (zirconia), lab grown diamond or natural diamond.

In addition, the composition or quality of the materials used is an important factor. For example, a gold ring can have a composition of 58.5% pure gold combined with other metals, then we talk about 14 carat gold. But an 18 carat gold ring consists of 75% pure gold. That makes an 18 carat gold ring considerably more valuable, so more expensive than a 14 carat gold ring. And if we look at diamonds, there are many different qualities that also have many price differences. The diamond quality is determined on the basis of the 4 c's .

The price of your engagement ring is therefore mainly determined by the choices you make in material and quality!

A 'real' engagement ring is made of gold with diamonds

Ultimately, everyone has to decide for themselves what an engagement ring should meet. However; most people (and especially the women who are asked to marry) think that an engagement ring should at least be made of real gold with real diamonds! So an engagement ring made of steel or silver with imitation diamonds, such as zirconia, is actually a no-go for many people.

So if we look at engagement rings made of real gold with real diamonds, prices start from around € 500 for a fine 14 carat gold ring with a small stone (of approximately 0.1 crt.).

How much is spent on an engagement ring in the Netherlands?

Research shows that most Dutch men spend 1000 to 2000 euros on an engagement ring. And about 20% of men in the Netherlands spend more than 2000 euros on the engagement ring. With this engagement ring budget, the Netherlands is somewhat below the European average, where most men spend an average of 2000 to 2500 euros. But here too, there is no good or bad!