Fineness

• Definition: fineness measures the purity of a precious metal.
• Scale: it is stated in thousandths (e.g., 750 means 75% pure gold).
• Impact on price: higher fineness means a higher price due to more precious metal content, so fine engagement rings are generally more expensive

Alloys

• Definition: an alloy is a mixture of a precious metal with other metals.
• Examples:
  • 333 gold: contains one-third pure gold and two-thirds other base metals. It is considered an inferior alloy.
  • 750 gold: contains three-quarters pure gold and one-quarter other metals, making it a high-quality alloy.

Other metals are added to influence the colour, e.g. to obtain red gold or white gold, but also to increase the stability. Pure 999 gold would be too soft to make jewellery, like an engagement ring, for example.

The more precious and scarce the metal, and the more of this precious metal is used, the higher the price of the engagement ring. A wide platinum engagement ring costs more than a delicate engagement ring in gold, which in turn has a higher price than a silver ring.

You can save on the material, but at the expense of the resale value and often also the durability of the ring. An investment in a valuable precious metal pays off and ensures that you will enjoy your engagement ring for a lifetime. The price of the chosen precious metal usually only makes up a small part of the total price, because the main value in an engagement ring is determined according to the gemstone used.

The price of a colourless diamond is defined by the 4C’s:

• Carat: the larger the diamond, the more expensive it is
• Colour: the whiter the diamond, the higher its price
• Clarity: the fewer the flaws, the more valuable the diamond
• Cut: the better the cut and proportions, the more costly the diamond

You can save cleverly by opting for diamonds that appear perfect to the naked eye. In everyday life, a diamond with colour G/H, clarity SI1/VS2, and a Very Good cut can look just as impressive as a more expensive stone with colour D/E, flawless clarity (IF or FL), and an excellent cut. Only a professional can tell the difference upon close inspection.

How to determine the cost of an engagement ring

The easiest way to answer the question "How much does an engagement ring cost?" is by looking at the price of the diamond(s). A solitaire engagement ring with a larger stone of particularly good quality will quickly become expensive. An alternative would be a trilogy engagement ring, for example, as the price for 3 smaller diamonds with a total weight of 1 carat is less than that of one single diamond of 3 carats.

Where you buy matters

It is also important where you buy the engagement ring. World-famous brands with a large number of expensive shops in inner-city locations usually have higher prices. In contrast, digital native companies like BAUNAT, which focus on E-commerce and source diamonds directly, offer more competitive pricing.

In Europe, the average price for an engagement ring is around € 2.500. In Germany and Austria it’s slightly less, in Switzerland slightly more. This corresponds roughly to a 0.50 carat solitaire ring.

How much your engagement ring may cost is up to you to decide. You should neither go into debt nor be miserly with probably the most important ring that a woman will ever have put on her finger. In contrast to consumer goods, the investment in an engagement ring is always an investment of lasting value, and a beautiful one in particular.