Does the Two-Month Salary Rule Still Apply?

The recession has given pause to rethink the rules and guidelines in place. One of these rules, is the idea that a suitor needs to spend two months of his salary on the most beautiful engagement ring she could ever hope to wear. The good news is that you can fudge a little on the two-month salary rule, particularly if you pay attention to what she wants, and not how much it costs. There are so many options available for people on a tight budget and the best way to find out how you can best spend your resources is to make a budget and hop online.

What Is A Reasonable Amount?

Maybe two or three month’s salary is not available right now for a ring. In that case, what amount is available? You have to start somewhere. No one is going to demand that you spend two month’s salary on a ring, so it’s really up to you to decide to set a budget that you can use to buy the ring she wants. Ultimately, you have to understand that some sacrifices will most likely be made when you don’t put aside two month’s salary to buy the ring. However, if they are not important to her final happiness with the ring, then they needn’t stop you from making your purchase at a budget you can afford.

Get an Idea of Her Perfect Ring

You may have to be stealthy or include her in the buying decision. If you want it to be a surprise, you can ask her friends and relatives about her tastes. If you’d rather she be involved, you can look up a virtual diamond engagement ring designer online and take a look at a few styles. You don’t have to finalize the entire look, just have her tell you which she likes best. Then, take it from there.

Concentrate on Balancing 4 Cs

Maybe she wants a cushion cut diamond in a larger size. In that case, you might be able to balance the additional monies required for carat weight by picking a stone of lesser clarity or of a different color quality. Don’t over look some of the fancy colored stones in yellow or champagne as they can be 15 to 25% less than a white diamond.

The choice of metal used for the ring setting will also play a large part in how much you end up paying. Platinum is far more expensive than gold, and gold is far more expensive than white gold. The design and style of the setting can also increase or decrease the amount you have to pay, so make sure you know whether she wants a simple setting or something more elaborate. The idea is to get the most features she want at the price that you can handle.

If she’s not too particular about the shape, but wants a white diamond, you will still be able to change the budget by looking at the different cuts and clarity available. The virtual ring builder makes it very easy to choose different stones with different settings to help you balance your budget.