The three-months-salary rule was invented by a diamond advertising campaign in the 1930s. It has no basis in how much a ring should cost. This article breaks down what a real budget buys at a workshop like ours, in 2026 dollars.
What a ring actually costs to make
On a moissanite ring, the cost splits roughly like this: the stone is 30-40%, the sterling silver casting is 15-20%, the plating is 10%, the setting labor is 15-20%, and the certificate, packaging and shipping make up the rest. There is no diamond broker, no retail markup, and no lease on a mall storefront. That is why the same ring that costs $1,500 in a mall jewelry store costs $200-400 from us.
What each budget buys
Under $100: a 5-6mm moissanite in a simple four-prong solitaire, in rhodium-plated 925 silver. Beautiful, clean, and honest. This is the ring we recommend for anyone proposing on a tight budget who does not want a fashion-jewelry look.
$100-200: a 6.5-7mm stone, a halo or pavé shoulders, your choice of plating tone. This is the sweet spot for most of our customers.
$200-350: a larger stone (8x6mm oval, 1.5 ct look), a double halo, or a three-stone design. You can also step up to a custom CAD design at this level.
$350-500: a fully custom design, an heirloom remount, or a top-tier stock piece with a heavier band and more hand-finishing.
Where to spend and where to save
Spend on the setting and the fit. A well-set stone in a comfortable band will outlast a bigger stone in a flimsy setting. Save on carat weight: a 6.5mm moissanite looks nearly as big as an 8mm, and the difference in price is real.
Do not spend extra on a certificate tier you cannot see. VVS and VS are identical on the hand. D-F and G-I are identical in a white-metal setting. Spend the savings on a wedding band to match.
The emotional budget, not just the dollar budget
A ring is a symbol, but it is also a thing you pay for once. Borrowing money for a ring because of a marketing rule is a bad start to a marriage. We have sold rings to engineers saving for a house, to teachers, and to small-business owners. The ring that fits your real budget is the ring she will be proud to wear, because it came from your real life, not from a debt.
The right ring is the one you can buy without arguing about it later. We would rather sell you a $180 ring you can afford than talk you into a $400 ring you will stress about.
Tell us your budget, and we will send three options at that number, not above it.
