How Many Months’ Salary for an Engagement Ring?

So, how much should you spend on an engagement ring?

Honestly, whatever feels right for your budget, your relationship, and your peace of mind. The three-month salary “rule” wasn’t handed down from Cupid. It was coined by a diamond company trying to sell more rocks during the Great Depression.

Quick Answer: How Many Months’ Salary Should You Spend?

• Most people spend 1–2 months’ salary

• The “3-month rule” is outdated marketing

• Spend what fits your budget and lifestyle

• Lab-grown diamonds make larger rings more affordable

• Focus on meaning, not math

Today, engagement ring buyers, especially first-timers, face a mix of outdated traditions and real financial pressure. Whether you earn $3,000 or $13,000 a month, there’s no magic number. And no, your partner doesn’t expect you to empty your savings to prove your love.

If you’re just here for the answer, you’ve got it.

But if you want the full breakdown, including spending norms, modern expectations, and budgeting tips.

Plus, how to make a ring meaningful without maxing your credit card, we’ve got you covered below.

The Myth That Won’t Die: Where the “3-Month Rule” Really Came From

Let’s get one thing straight up front.

The “three months’ salary” rule is not some ancient tradition rooted in love and romance. It was a marketing invention.

In the 1930s, De Beers, yes, the same diamond conglomerate that ran the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign, suggested spending one month’s salary on an engagement ring to boost sales during the Great Depression.

Later, they upped the ante to two months, and by the 1980s, it had ballooned to three.

What started as clever advertising became deeply embedded in culture. Movies, magazines, and yes, even well-meaning relatives began repeating the rule like gospel.

Spend more, they implied, and you must love her more. Go smaller, and you risk looking “cheap.” The pressure was, and in many cases, still is, real.

But let’s call it what it is.

A sales tactic. Not a romantic ideal. Not financial wisdom. Not a relationship truth.

But we believe your love story deserves better than a formula cooked up by marketers nearly a century ago. Because when it comes to commitment, authenticity matters far more than tradition-for-tradition’s sake.

What People Actually Spend in 2025 (It’s Not 3 Months)

Here’s the real math.

Most people in the U.S. today spend between $5,000 and $6,000 on an engagement ring.

That’s a far cry from the outdated “three-month salary” rule. In fact, many spend significantly less, often closer to one month, or even just a few weeks of income.

We’ve had clients spend $2,500 and walk away with a show-stopping 3-carat lab-grown diamond. That’s not being frugal, that’s being smart.

Lab-grown diamonds have dramatically shifted what’s possible. Ten years ago, a 2.5-carat stone could cost a year’s rent. Today, you can get that same look for a fraction of the price, without compromising on sparkle or quality.

The Real Question: What’s Right for You?

Forget what the internet says you should spend. The better question is: what fits your life? That’s where smart ring budgeting really begins.

If you’re bringing in around $3,000 a month, spending $1,500–$2,000 is not just common, it’s often the most comfortable choice.

On a $6,000 monthly income, a $3,000–$4,000 budget is generous but still realistic. And if you’re in a position to spend more?

That’s great, but it should feel empowering, not exhausting.

Are you planning a wedding? Hoping to buy a home soon? Still paying off student loans? All of that matters just as much, if not more, than some imaginary salary percentage.

One of our past clients said it best: “I’d rather take a honeymoon than wear a $15k ring.” And guess what? Their partner agreed.

A ring should represent your love, not your liabilities.

And in many cases, your partner may be far more excited about a trip you take together, or the peace of mind that comes from staying out of debt, than the carat count on their finger.

We believe the most romantic thing you can do is create a ring that honors both your story and your stability. That’s not compromise, it’s clarity.

Should You Discuss the Budget With Your Partner? (Spoiler: Yes)

If you’re still thinking about how to get the “perfect ring,” here’s a truth bomb. The perfect ring is one you both feel good about. And that starts with a conversation.

Talking budget doesn’t kill the romance; it deepens the trust. You’re not ruining the surprise. You’re building the foundation for a future where big decisions get made together.

One of our clients said, “My partner told me she didn’t want me spending more than $10,000. We ended up designing a custom ring together for $6,000, and she loved it even more because we did it our way.”

When you align your budget with your values, the proposal becomes even more meaningful. Shared priorities make stronger proposals. And that’s what we help couples do every day at Mikado Diamonds.

Affordable Doesn’t Mean Basic: Ways to Maximize Impact

Let’s drop another myth while we’re at it. Affordable doesn’t mean boring. In fact, some of the most jaw-dropping rings we’ve ever created were built on a budget, and you’d never know it.

Lab-grown diamonds are the game-changer here. They’re chemically identical to mined diamonds but cost 50–80% less. That means more sparkle per dollar, less stress per carat.

Fancy shapes like oval, radiant, or pear can look larger than traditional rounds of the same weight. A 2.5-carat radiant, for example, can feel like a 3-carat on the hand, all while staying well below your mental “budget ceiling.”

Hidden halos, yellow gold, and intentional design choices bring high-impact style without inflating your costs. We love seeing clients light up when they realize just how far their budget can go.

Here, our sweet spot is custom lab-grown rings in the $2,000 to $7,000 range. One of our recent favorites? A stunning 3-carat radiant with a hidden halo in yellow gold, designed for just under $6,000.

It turned heads, dropped jaws, and most importantly, matched the client’s vision and their values.

And let’s not forget about heirloom stones or vintage-inspired pieces. These aren’t “cheaper” options. They’re story-rich, deeply meaningful, and often priceless in ways a credit card could never match.

Big love doesn’t require a big bank account. It just takes the right guide and a jeweler who knows how to make your budget shine.

Still Thinking in “Rules”? Here’s a Better One

If there’s one “rule” worth following, it’s this: spend what makes you feel confident, not what some ad agency told your grandfather 40 years ago.

The best ring isn’t defined by a percentage of your paycheck.

It’s defined by how well it reflects your values, your partner, and your shared future. We’ve seen $2,000 rings bring more joy than $20,000 ones, because they were designed with heart, not ego.

Not sure where to start? Flip the script:

• Start with your values: What matters most to you and your partner, impact, ethics, style, size, or sentiment?

• Work backwards from comfort: What number feels responsible, not risky? That’s your real budget.

• Use tools to help you visualize: Budget calculators, carat-size comparisons, or even a virtual consult can help make the numbers real.

Remember, this isn’t a competition, it’s a commitment. And there’s no prize for overspending. Only peace of mind when you buy with intention.

What We Tell Our Clients at Mikado Diamonds

We get this question all the time: “Am I spending enough?” And our honest answer? There’s no such thing as “too little” or “too much.” There’s only what feels right for you.

Every couple we work with is different.

Some are starting their lives together on a tight budget. Others are celebrating a milestone with something bigger. We’ve helped people propose with $1,500 and $15,000 rings, and both stories were just as meaningful.

Here, we don’t care about flex. We care about fit. About helping you create a ring that reflects your partner’s style, your shared story, and your real-world finances.

In fact, most of our clients spend less than they expected and walk away with more than they imagined.

Why?

Because we don’t waste their budget on markups or middlemen. Instead, we guide them toward smart decisions, stunning lab-grown stones, and custom designs that elevate every dollar.

Ready to Feel Good About Your Decision?

You don’t need a rule. You need a ring that feels right, for your partner, your budget, and your future together.

If you’re ready to skip the pressure and start exploring what’s actually possible, we’re here for you. We specialize in custom lab-grown engagement rings and ready-to-ship rings that make a big impact, without forcing you into someone else’s formula.

👉 Book a consultation to chat one-on-one with a real expert (not a commission-driven salesperson).
👉 Or browse our most-loved custom engagement rings to see what’s possible at every budget.

FAQ: How Many Months’ Salary Should You Spend?

Is $5,000 enough for a nice ring?

Absolutely. With the right design and a lab-grown center stone, $5,000 can get you a custom, jaw-dropping ring that feels anything but average.

What if I only make $50K a year?

Then spending $2,000–$3,000 might be a sweet spot. It’s thoughtful. It’s meaningful. And most importantly, it won’t put your future on hold.

Do people actually spend $20K+?

Sure, some do. But that’s the exception, not the rule. What matters isn’t how much you spend, but how well that ring reflects your partner and your priorities.