This is really an incredibly individual decision. Yes, the ring should be something special, but the price may be irrelevant. Some guys give a family heirloom as an engagement ring; that doesn't make it any less special. If the relationship is about how much the ring cost, you're already in trouble!

If you love someone, what does it really matter? Seriously, it's just a ring. If I fall in love with a really great guy, I could care less if I even have an engagement ring! It's the plain gold band that really says it all!!!

Any woman that demands or feels the need for an expensive ring from her fiancee as validation of his love is far too self-centered of a woman to marry. I would love to see the value of a ring they would buy if the custom were. All of a sudden, the engagement ring industry would require a federal bailout. Additionally, any man who feels compelled to buy his fiancee a much too expensive ring only to either prove his worthiness to her or her friends or for him to show off his disposable income level, suffers from insecurity and low self-esteem issues. True, healthy love requires nothing but the two individuals and their everlasting commitment. Everything else is just fluff.

I want a real ring to go along with my real marriage. If you chose to get and something inexpensive then that is your choice. But don't mock someone else for their choice. If you can't afford what she want,then be prepared to have a budget before you go into the store. If you are cheap don't take champange to the beer store.

i think it would depend on how much money you make in given month, and if you can afford to spoil your girl than that is exactly what you should do.

I am amazed at some of these answers. Assuming the person makes an average income, the common guideline is approximately 20-24 weeks salary. The average engagement ring (from a diamond dealer; retail jewelers are much more) is around $10,000 mininmum. Not sure how anyone thinks they could buy the setting for 2-3 weeks salary, let alone the setting and the stone. I think those who answered have not shopped for rings recently. I agree with the girl that wrote that you'd have to make an extravagant income to afford a decent ring on 3 weeks income. The rule of thumb has always been 6 months salary.

I would rather tell my man what things I like in a ring, than how much I want him to spend on it. It gives him more options. If I had to say a monetary amount I would say no more than a month's salary. The money he would have spent beyond that can be better used in the future for the wedding, towards a down payment on the house, etc... I personally, would not be very comfortable wearing a very expensive ring on a daily basis while washing dishes, excersising, writing on a chalkboard at work, etc...

The traditional amount you should spend on an engagement ring was created by the jewelry industry - they just want to sell more expensive stuff!

The ring should be appropriate for the individuals getting engaged and is not an expression of love. We should put less emphasis on rings and fancy weddings and put more of our planning into the shared life that will happen after the wedding day.

For the right girl I would spend all of my earnings for a year minus the money I would need for food and a place to live. That having been said if the woman in question thought it a requirement for me to spend that much money on her she can walk! Marriage should be about love, trust and commitment but these days it seems to be about how long can people last till they are divorced. Since the value in marriage has gone down so then should the cost for the engagement ring. Maybe get an inexpensive yet not cheap ring and upgrade it for every year together!?

One of my good friends in college made his ring in the jewelry shop, and placed a small ruby for the setting (his girlfriend at the time was morally opposed to the subhuman conditions imposed on the workers). The ring cost very little, relatively speaking (but, they were college students at the time, so YMMV), but the fact that HE made it, and factored in her feelings and concerns made the ring THAT much more valuable.

I echo the sentiments of the above poster: the price of the ring has zero relationship to how you feel about the person (See Brown, Kobe). If the relationship is truly based on love, the ring could come from a cracker jack box.

From my perspective, if the ring is going to be the dealbreaker, I'd rather not play.