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Do you know how much to spend on your future partner's engagement ring?
 
That is a very difficult question for many getting ready to propose to someone. An engagement ring should be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, but how much does the average engagement ring cost? Is there a “good price” for every engagement ring? After all, rings are very personal.
 
The experts at BAUNAT will answer some frequently asked questions to help you on your way:
 
    • What is the average price of an engagement ring?
    • How long should you spend looking for an engagement ring?
    • How do you find quality without paying over the odds?
       

    BAUNAT’s average engagement ring price:

    • Minimum price: €900, excl. VAT. Around 0.25 carats.
    • €2,500 - €5,000 – 0.70 and 1.00 carats.
    • €5,000 - €10,000 – 1.00 and 1.50 carats.
    • €10,000 - €25,000 – 1.50 and 3.00 carats. 
    • €25,000 - €50,000 – 3.00 carats or higher. 
    • Over €50,000 – Exceptionally high diamond quality
     
    Read more below

    Most viewed diamond jewels

    Price categories for modern engagement rings | An overview

    It is often not easy to picture exactly what type of engagement ring you can get at each price level. This short overview will summarise the information below about which amount corresponds with the specifications best.

    AmountSpecifications
    • Minimum price round engagement ring €900, excl. VAT
    • Minimum carat weight round 0.25 ct.
    • Average carat weight between 0.30 and 0.70 ct.
    • Often with a center diamond
    • More yellow, white and red gold than platinum
    €2500 - €5.000
    • Average engagement ring price category
    • Carat weight between 0.70 and 1.00 ct.
    • More premium quality than high quality
    • Both gold and platinum
    • Wide choice of engagement rings with and without side diamonds
    • Unique cuts available
    €5.000 - €10.000
    • Carat weight between 1.00 and 1.50 ct.
    • Several large diamonds available
    • Several coloured gemstones available
    • Custom designs available
    €10.000 – €25.000
    • Carat weight between 1.50 and 3.00 ct.
    • Several high-quality diamonds available
    • Available as investment diamonds
    €25.000 - €50.000
    • Average carat weight of 3.00 or higher
    • Deep coloured diamonds available
    • Wide range of custom and personalisation options
    • Choice of exclusive jewellery
    >€50.000
    • Exceptionally high diamond quality available
    • Wide range of investment diamonds
    • Exclusive coloured diamonds available
    • Wide range of custom designs available
    • Wide choice of exclusive jewellery

     

    What are the traditions regarding engagement ring prices?

    Just like the engagement ring itself, the price of an engagement ring is also associated with certain traditions and etiquette. In the 1930s an advertising campaign by the diamond giant De Beers declared that an engagement ring should cost a month's wages. Based on the success of this campaign, the slogan 10 years later was for 2 months' wages.

    What is the average engagement ring price?

    Traditional recommended retail prices are still maintained by the average American today. A British person spends around €2,000, but the average European spends around €2,500. Australians easily spend €4,000.

    Engagement rings with a price below €2,500

    The minimum price for an engagement ring is around €900 excluding VAT. Even at this starting price, you can get a lovely yellow, white, or red gold engagement ring like this halo ring with a centre princess diamond.
    Diamond engagement ring with sapphire from BAUNAT

    Gold engagement ring with a diamond or coloured gemstone

    The average carat weight for an engagement ring is between 0.50 and 1.00 carats. Here you can see a halo ring with a round centre sapphire for just over €2,000.

    Browse our collection of diamond jewellery with precious stones now

    The closer an engagement ring price gets to around €2,500, the more luxurious the materials. To make the comparison clearer, let's take a look at the same halo ring with a centre princess diamond, this time in platinum rather than white gold.

    Do you have a special design in mind? The 'Toi et Moi’ engagement ring is a nice example where the two equally sized diamonds symbolise the bond between the two partners.

    Or what do you think about a trilogy ring with 3 equally sized diamonds to symbolise the past, present, and future? Rings with other precious stones like ruby, sapphire, and emerald are also within budget. Each precious stone also has its own symbolic story. Perfect for romantic souls!

    Engagement rings with a price of €2,500 to €5,000

    A diamond engagement ring from the BAUNAT collection between €2,500 and €5,000
    The average price for an engagement ring in Belgium is between €2,500 and €5,000, for that you can buy a ring with a carat weight between 0.70 and 1.00, and you can go for premium quality.

    With many of the rings on our website, you can choose between 'high quality' and 'premium quality' as you can see with this solitaire ring. The difference in colour and clarity (remember the 4Cs) is apparent in the details. The premium quality ring with a quality combination of G for colour and VS2 for clarity will sparkle even more thanks to the slight difference in colour and clarity.

    You have a wide choice of engagement rings with or without side diamonds and can choose from several unique cuts like a pear cut or a princess cut.

    Since platinum is a little more expensive than gold, it is better to limit yourself to white, yellow, or red gold with a budget below €2,500. Platinum is definitely possible with a higher budget. 

    Discover these wonderful engagement rings now

    Engagement rings with a price of €5,000 to €10,000

    A diamond engagement ring from the BAUNAT collection between €2,500 and €5,000

    Several diamonds or coloured gemstones are also possible

    Rings with a price between €5,000 and €10,000 are just above the average budget for buyers. Given the large margin between these two amounts, we will illustrate the price difference with several concrete examples. Do you plan to pay more than €5,000 for her engagement ring? Then you may want to consider several larger diamonds.
    Engagement rings with the Toi & Moi design or a trilogy ring are definitely possible. With a larger budget, you can naturally go for bigger stones. Definitely consider this Toi & Moi ring with a total carat weight of 1.50 and this trilogy ring with a total 2-carat diamond weight.-

    From a budget of €4,000 excl. VAT a made-to-measure engagement ring is possible.

    Engagement rings with a price of €10,000 to €25,000

    3 diamond engagement rings from the BAUNAT collection between €10,000 and €25,000

    Choose premium quality diamonds with colour G and clarity VS2

    We have long stated that the price of an engagement ring is largely determined by the total carat weight of the diamonds. With a budget between €10,000 and €25,000, you can slide a ring of at least 1.50 to 3.00 carats onto her finger. We will also advise you on how to spend your budget wisely by choosing several premium quality diamonds.
    Diamonds from this price class are also considered to be investment diamonds. An engagement ring between €10,000 and €25,000 is not just an investment in your romantic relationship.

    Engagement rings with a price of €25,000 to €50,000

    3 diamond engagement rings from the BAUNAT collection between €25,000 and €50,000

    Go for intensely coloured diamonds or a made-to-measure design

    You can be sure to have all the hallmarks that we discussed in the previous examples when you choose an engagement ring from BAUNAT with a price between €25,000 and €50,000. Moreover, you have a wide choice of rings with intensely coloured diamonds within this budget. Elegant, timeless, and extra eye-catching! After all, a coloured diamond will guarantee extra sparkle. Within this budget, you will definitely find the perfect ring for you in our collection of exclusive jewellery.
    A budget of up to €50,000 will also enable you to create an even more personal ring by choosing a made-to-measure option. Think small coloured diamonds or unique cuts that are not offered as standard such as a heart, emerald, marquise, radiant or cushion cut.

    Engagement rings with a price above €50,000

    3 diamond engagement rings from the BAUNAT collection above €50,000

    Go for investment diamonds or exclusive coloured diamonds

    Consider an exceptionally high diamond quality that is not only suitable for jewellery, but also has value as an investment. The quality requirements for a white investment diamond are: 1.00 to 6.00 carats, D, E or F colour and a clarity higher than the VS2 level mentioned until now. This solitaire ring from our range of exclusive jewellery fulfils the quality requirements and you will both be blown away by it. You do not have to spend more than €50,000 for a ring with these qualities per se. This exceptionally high-quality ring can be bought for just €15,000.
    With this sort of budget, you could go for an exclusive coloured diamond like this yellow cushion cut diamond in this unique entourage ring. But this white gold ring with a pear-shaped pink diamond that you can see here is top class without a doubt.

    How is the price of an engagement ring determined?

    1. Materials

    3 diamond engagement rings from the BAUNAT collection above €50,000

    The 4Cs for diamonds

    Before discussing the types of engagement ring that you can buy for each price, you need to know which factors determine the price tag. So first we will consider the 4Cs of diamonds: carat, colour, clarity and cut. The 4 quality categories for diamonds are shown on a diamond certificate and prove the identity and value of the stone.

    When an engagement ring has more than one diamond, the price of each stone is calculated and added separately.
    3 diamond engagement rings from the BAUNAT collection above €50,000

    Precious metal hallmarks

    The price of the other raw materials, such as gold or platinum, also influences the total price ofthe engagement ring. To be sure of the quality and value of the gold used, it is best to look at the hallmark.
    A platinum ring from BAUNAT on a hand. Find out how much her engagement ring will cost.
    A ring of 18-carat gold with a composition of 75% gold is the highest standard. Higher gold content in your yellow, white, or red gold ring will make the jewellery too soft.

    The best standard for a platinum engagement ring is 95% silver platinum. Keep in mind that platinum is much rarer than other precious metals. This means that the price of a platinum engagement ring will be higher.

    2. Cut

    Polishing process


    We are increasingly choosing eye-catching cuts like the square princess cut which has a lower price than the classic round brilliant cut. Antique cuts are also desirable, especially for those who love vintage engagement rings such as gold rings with a pear-shaped diamond. The price is considerably lower compared to a brilliant cut. But the solitaire brilliant remains a timeless choice.

    View our valuable collection of brilliant cut engagement rings here

    A platinum ring from BAUNAT on a hand. Find out how much her engagement ring will cost.

    Sparkle


    Round brilliant and square princess cut diamonds sparkle the most and are therefore a bit more expensive. But the difference in price is also clear to see here too: the sparkle between the two is barely different, but the princess is often much more affordable than the brilliant-cut.

    Cuts like the heart-shaped diamond require more effort during the polishing process. The extra degree of craftsmanship required is reflected in the price. 

    3. Craftsmanship

    Craftsman cuts a diamond for an engagement ring
    The craftsmanship involved and the design of the engagement ring also influence the total price. And you if you want to design her engagement ring yourself? Men are increasingly choosing a completely made-to-measure engagement ring. Do you want to both personalise her ring and keep the price down? Then go for an engraved engagement ring!

    How do you choose quality for a good price?

    Buy online: there are fewer overheads compared to traditional jewellers


    Are you looking for an engagement ring for 2020? Then look online first. Smart! A high-quality engagement ring does not necessarily come at a high price. Although rarer diamonds naturally come with a higher price tag compared to more common ones, you can still make a smart choice by going for the best price to quality ratio.

    For example, a diamond engagement ring will cost 30-50% less on average online compared to in a physical shop. This is because we do not have to pay overheads for shop maintenance and staff and we also do not need to keep an expensive jewellery stock. Instead your diamond jewellery is always made by hand to order. So there is absolutely no need to buy your engagement ring in an outlet.

    Only at BAUNAT: direct from the source to your jewellery


    BAUNAT buys diamonds directly from the source. Given that we do not have to rely on middlemen such as suppliers and other merchants, then we do not have to pay for them either. This lowers our costs and we pass the savings on to you. Your engagement ring will therefore have a much lower price in our online collection than it would in a traditional shop without compromising on quality.
    Diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa

    Sleep easy: only ethical diamonds


    Since people now take the time to research the perfect engagement ring, price is no longer at the top of their wish list. Nowadays factors such as ethical purchasing, durability and quality are prioritised. Most people would rather buy a higher quality ring with a smaller diamond than the other way around.

    Today the diamond industry aims to use conflict-free diamonds via the Kimberley process, named after the first operational mines opened by De Beers in Kimberley, South Africa. The ethically run mine in the picture is also known as 'The Big Hole' and today it is not only an important economic factor for Kimberley in terms of diamond mining, but also attracts plenty of tourists.
    3 different types of engagement rings to make your jewellery look bigger

    Choose wisely: make your jewellery look larger


    Now you know which factors determine the price of an engagement ring and what you can expect for your predetermined budget, we would like to provide a few savings tips too. In most of the examples mentioned in the article, the ring was set with one or more brilliant-cut diamonds. A square princess cut diamond with the same carat weight looks larger although it is less expensive. A halo or entourage ring is also a good solution to make the centre diamond or other precious stone look bigger. The way that the centre stone is surrounded by smaller stones creates the illusion that they are all one large stone.
    Woman searches for her own engagement ring
    Men are not the only ones who do ring research. 70% of women also search for their dream engagement ring. It is therefore likely that she will have certain expectations about the style, look, and price of her engagement ring.

    Browse our collection of diamond engagement rings now

    Would you like personal advice during the purchasing process?

    Are you looking for an engagement ring? Then do not hesitate to book an appointment at our showroom for personalized advice.

    Make an appointment now at one of our BAUNAT showrooms

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