Wedding bands typically cost $500 to $1,500 each, and engagement rings $2,000 to $8,000 depending almost entirely on the centre stone. The 'two months' salary' rule is not a tradition — it was an advertising slogan written by De Beers in the 1930s, and it is worth knowing that before budgeting around it.
Bands
A plain gold or platinum band runs $300 to $1,000 depending on metal and width; platinum costs meaningfully more than gold and is heavier and more durable. Diamond-set or patterned bands run $1,000 to $3,000.
Metal choice matters more practically than aesthetically: platinum and gold scratch differently, and if one of you works with your hands, say so in the shop. A jeweller will steer you well if they know.
Engagement rings, and where the money goes
The centre stone is nearly the entire price. A natural one-carat diamond of decent quality commonly runs $4,000 to $8,000; the same stone lab-grown is frequently 60 to 80% less, is chemically identical, and is now a mainstream choice rather than a compromise.
Setting, metal and side stones add a few hundred to a couple of thousand. Cut matters more than carat for how a stone actually looks, and is the place to spend if you are choosing where to spend.
Sapphires, emeralds and other coloured stones cost substantially less at comparable size and are increasingly common.
The two months' salary thing
It is a De Beers advertising campaign from the 1930s, later revised upward to three months. It has no traditional basis whatsoever and exists to make a number feel like an obligation.
Spend what you can comfortably spend. Nobody at your wedding will know the price of the ring, and the people who ask are not people to budget around.
What to actually do about it
- Buy the bands together and early
- Sizing and engraving take two to four weeks, and it is one fewer thing in the final month.
- Ask about lab-grown before assuming natural
- Chemically identical, commonly 60-80% less, and now entirely mainstream. It is the largest saving in this category.
- Tell the jeweller what you do with your hands
- It should change the metal and the setting they recommend. A raised setting on someone who works manually is a repair waiting to happen.
- Insure them, and do it immediately
- Usually a rider on home contents insurance and inexpensive. Rings are lost and stolen far more often than couples expect.
Common questions
How much does a wedding ring cost on average?
Wedding bands typically cost $500 to $1,500 each - $300 to $1,000 for a plain gold or platinum band, more for diamond-set or patterned designs. Engagement rings usually run $2,000 to $8,000 depending on the centre stone.
Is the two months' salary rule real?
No. It was a De Beers advertising slogan from the 1930s, later revised upward to three months. It has no traditional basis and exists to make a number feel obligatory.
Are lab-grown diamonds worth it?
They are chemically identical to natural diamonds and commonly cost 60-80% less, which makes them the single largest saving available in this category. They are now a mainstream choice rather than a compromise.
The vendors this depends on
Every review on Lazo comes from a couple who proved they actually got married with that vendor, and rankings can't be bought at any price.