If you've searched for this question, you've probably seen the old "spend two or three months' salary" rule. It's worth knowing where that came from — and why most jewellers, us included, don't think it's good advice.
Where the "rule" came from
The two-to-three-months'-salary guideline traces back to a De Beers advertising campaign from the 1980s. It wasn't research into what makes couples happy or what rings actually cost to make well — it was a marketing line designed to push spending up. There's no reason your ring budget should be tied to your salary at all.
What actually drives the price of a ring
Four things move the price far more than any rule of thumb:
- Carat weight of the centre stone — price increases roughly with the square of carat weight, so a 2ct diamond isn't twice the price of a 1ct, it's often three to four times as much.
- Diamond quality (the 4Cs) — colour, clarity, cut and carat. A well-cut diamond with a slightly lower colour or clarity grade can look just as brilliant as a "perfect" one for a fraction of the price. See our guide to the 4Cs for how to prioritise these.
- Natural vs lab-grown — lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to natural ones but typically cost 30-60% less for the same specification. We cover the trade-offs in our lab-grown vs natural diamonds guide.
- Metal — platinum costs more than 18ct or 9ct gold, partly due to raw material price and partly because it's denser and harder to work with.
A more sensible way to set a budget
Rather than working backwards from a salary formula, work forwards from what you can comfortably afford without financing a ring you'll be paying off for years. Many of our customers start with a total budget, then decide how to split it between the centre stone and the setting — a simpler solitaire lets you spend more on stone quality, while a halo or pavé setting spreads the sparkle across smaller, less expensive stones.
Ways to get more for your budget
- Consider a lab-grown or slightly lower colour/clarity grade stone — often invisible to the naked eye but meaningfully cheaper.
- Choose a setting style that flatters a smaller centre stone, like a halo or three-stone design.
- Talk to us directly. Every one of our rings can be built in your choice of metal and diamond size through our Ring Studio, so you can see real pricing change as you adjust the specification, rather than guessing.
If you'd rather talk it through with a person than a configurator, that's exactly what we're here for — get in touch and we'll help you find the right balance for your budget.