How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Getting engaged is one of life’s milestone events but knowing how much to spend on an engagement ring can also be one of the most frustrating decisions to have to make to ensure that you get your big moment just right. Buying an engagement ring is a pretty significant investment, and you need to be 100% sure that the engagement ring that you choose for your loved one is within your means/affordable, and reflects the lifelong commitment and eternal love you hold for them. There is no set-in-stone amount that has to be spent on an engagement ring, but there are so many different rules and expectations when it comes to the cost of buying an engagement ring that it can be very confusing so we hope that we some pretty solid answers here to help you on your way to deciding how much to spend on an engagement ring:

In short: Spend what fits your finances — the "three months' salary" rule was a 1936 De Beers marketing campaign, not a tradition. The UK average in 2025 is £3,928. Budget by what your partner will love and you can afford comfortably, prioritising Excellent cut grade and GIA/IGI certification over carat-number prestige.