How much does an engagement ring really cost? Average prices in Belgium
04/11/2025 12:28 | Inspiration
You want to propose to your partner and are wondering: how much does an engagement ring actually cost? The short answer, according to 1,000 Belgian couples: on average, around 2,100 euros. The long answer: the final price depends greatly on your budget, the style and the materials you choose.
Photos (top, from left to right): Engagement ring: Eline Fransen - Photographer: Quattro Studio / Engagement ring: Juna Fae - Photographer: Nele Daems / Engagement ring: Sofie Vanheukelom - Photographer: LUX Visual Storytellers
Don't hesitate too long: make an appointment today with a jeweler near you and discover rings that fit your budget.
Average Price of an Engagement Ring in Belgium
Our national wedding survey conducted among 1,000 Belgian couples reveals:
- For 95% of couples, an engagement ring accompanies the proposal.
- Average price for this group: 2,097 euros.
- Half of the couples spend between 1,000 and 2,500 euros.
- Exceptions: up to 20,000 euros or more.
There is a wide range of budgets, and ultimately, it's up to you to decide how much you'd like to invest.
Christiaan from Jewels by Christiaan shares: "The budget is very personal and can vary greatly. Do you want a natural or lab-grown diamond, a colored diamond, an exclusive sapphire...? There are so many factors that determine the price."
What Factors Determine the Price of an Engagement Ring?
The price of an engagement ring mainly depends on:
1. Gold Price
For your ring's material, you can choose between white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, or silver. Olivia from Edès Fine Jewelry shares: "The rise in gold prices has a huge impact on the price of an engagement ring. In my opinion, the average price of 2,097 euros for an engagement ring is quite low. Especially now that gold has increased significantly, it is no longer realistic - and certainly not if you want a natural diamond."
2. The 4 C's of Diamonds
Josephine and Charlotte from the jewelry store Scaldis explain: "The budget per customer is so personal. The price range is unlimited and depends on the 4 C's of the diamond, where the carat size is perhaps the most determining, followed by clarity, then color, and the cut."
3. Type of Gemstone or Diamond
Diamonds are by far the most popular (70%), but sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are gaining ground. The price mainly depends on the size and rarity of the gemstone. Olivia from Edès Fine Jewelry adds: "Moreover, the choice between a natural diamond and a lab-created (synthetic) diamond is very important for price determination. We only work with natural diamonds."
4. Handmade
You often pay more for a unique and entirely bespoke creation. Olivia from Edès Fine Jewelry explains: "Our rings are handmade in Antwerp, and this comes with a cost, but also superior quality compared to machine-made rings in China. You can compare them to bespoke clothes versus fast fashion. Technically speaking, machine-made rings are sometimes hollow inside, which drastically lowers the price and significantly affects quality."
5. Lifetime Use
Christiaan from Jewels by Christiaan explains: "An engagement ring is worn daily. That's why certain quality is necessary, for example in the width of the band, and the hardness of the stone is also important. With a ring, we quickly bump into something. These aspects influence the price. Considering the durability and use of the ring, it's recommended to invest a little more in choosing the most important ring of your life."
Josephine and Charlotte from Scaldis add: "Beautiful jewelry is in fashion today, but the client doesn't always think about the durability of a small ring when it will be worn daily for over sixty years. It's important to remember that your fiancée will wear the ring for her entire life, from a dynamic thirties to elegant fifties. Choose a design that fits every stage of life. It's ultimately a unique investment."
6. Finish
A simple solitaire ring (with one diamond) often costs less than a design with a halo or pavé (small diamonds around and/or next to the central stone). Josephine and Charlotte from Scaldis nuance: "Sometimes, instead of choosing a large diamond, clients opt for a ring adorned with several small brilliants to visually achieve the effect of a large stone. It's much cheaper and creates a kind of 'trompe-l'œil' or optical illusion."
Curious about what style fits your budget? Discover our selection of jewelers in Belgium here.
Should You Spend Two Months’ Salary on an Engagement Ring?
The famous “two months’ salary” rule comes from an old marketing campaign by the diamond company De Beers. However, some people (especially in the United States) still use it as a guideline. In Belgium, most couples set an average budget of about 2,100 euros, according to our National Wedding Survey. Ultimately, it is of course you who decides the amount suitable for your budget.
Olivia from Edès Fine Jewelry adds: "I've often heard even three months’ salary. With an average salary of 2,500 euros, you’re looking at around 5,000 to 7,500 euros. This aligns well with what I see clients purchasing, especially if they choose a larger diamond. For a 0.70 carat diamond, you quickly reach between 5,000 and 7,000 euros, depending on the ring model. And for 1.00 carat, you often exceed 10,000 euros."
When to Buy the Engagement Ring?
According to the survey:
- 31% buy the ring less than three months before the proposal.
- 28% do so more than three months in advance.
- 7% purchase the ring just one week before the proposal.
Advice: plan well in advance. You’ll have time for a custom design or engraving, and you'll avoid last-minute stress.
Olivia from Edès Fine Jewelry advises: "It's best to allow about six to eight weeks for a handmade ring in Antwerp. It can sometimes be faster (four to six weeks), but for a proposal, it's better not to cut it too close with timing."
Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring
1. Define Your Budget in Advance
Consider realistic categories: between 1,500 and 2,500 euros, you'll already find a wide choice of rings at Belgian jewelers. Charlotte and Josephine from the jewelry store Scaldis specify: "Often there are unrealistic expectations, where the client shows Pinterest inspirations with large stones and is surprised by the price. For a larger diamond of 0.50 carat, for example, you need to increase your budget. With a budget of 3,500 to 5,000 euros, you have more choices and can better meet the perfect picture you or your partner have in mind."
Christiaan from Jewels by Christiaan adds: "It remains a personal choice. It's important to set a budget for oneself with possibly some flexibility. I'm happy to prepare myself based on the set budget."
2. Choose Your Material and Stone
Diamonds and yellow gold remain classic and popular choices. Charlotte and Josephine from Scaldis advise: "Ask your jeweler for explanations on the 4 C's of diamonds. This will allow you to make an informed choice. For example, you can choose between a larger diamond with slightly lower clarity, and a smaller but perfect diamond."
3. Make an Appointment with a Jeweler
This way, you’ll receive discreet advice without any purchase obligation.
4. Ask for Help with Sizing
A jeweler will help you find the right size without your partner noticing.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Buying an engagement ring shouldn't be stressful. With a clear budget and an appointment with a trusted jeweler, you're all set!
Discover the selected jewelers in Belgium with quality labels and make an appointment discreetly today
Read more on this topic via these links: