There is no universally correct answer to this question — but there are principles that will help you arrive at a number that makes sense for your situation. This guide gives you those principles, along with real price ranges for what you actually get at each budget level.
First: Ignore the "Two Months' Salary" Rule
The "two months' salary" guideline for engagement ring spending was invented by De Beers in the 1980s as a marketing strategy to increase diamond sales. It has no basis in tradition, psychology, or any measure of what a ring should cost. Your engagement ring budget should be determined by your financial situation, your priorities, and what you and your partner actually value — not by a guideline created by a diamond company to sell more product.
What Moissanite Costs at Different Budget Levels
$200–$500: The Entry Level
At this budget, you can purchase a genuine DEF VVS1 moissanite in a solid 14K gold solitaire setting. Stone size will typically be in the 0.5–1.0 carat range. This is a real fine jewelry ring that will last a lifetime — not a compromise. Many buyers in this range choose a simple 4-prong or 6-prong solitaire, which is also the most classic engagement ring design.
$500–$1,000: The Mid Range
At this budget, you enter the range where stone size increases meaningfully — typically 1.0–1.5 carats — and setting complexity opens up. Halo settings, pavé bands, and 18K gold are all accessible here. This is the most popular budget range for moissanite engagement rings and where the value proposition of moissanite is most apparent: at $700, you can have a 1.5-carat DEF VVS1 in a pavé halo setting in 14K gold that would cost $4,000–$8,000 in lab diamond.
$1,000–$2,000: The Premium Range
At this budget, stone size reaches 2–3 carats, and setting options include platinum, intricate pavé designs, custom elements, and statement halo or three-stone configurations. A 2-carat oval DEF VVS1 moissanite in an 18K gold pavé halo at this price point is a ring that competes visually with $15,000+ diamond equivalents.
$2,000+: The Elevated Range
Above $2,000, you are in custom design territory — larger stones (3ct+), complex multi-stone designs, full platinum settings, and highly personalised configurations. This is where moissanite's price advantage is most dramatic: for the price of a modest lab diamond solitaire, you can commission an elaborate custom moissanite piece.
Factors That Actually Matter for Your Budget
- Stone size: The single biggest driver of cost. Every 0.5-carat increase adds meaningfully to the price.
- Metal type: 14K gold is the most affordable; 18K gold adds ~15–20%; platinum adds ~30–40% over 14K gold.
- Setting complexity: A solitaire is the least expensive setting. Pavé, halo, and three-stone designs add cost through labour and additional stones.
- Customisation: Bespoke designs cost more than ready-made settings. If you have a specific vision, budget 20–30% above equivalent ready-made pricing.
The Question Behind the Question
Most people asking "how much should I spend" are really asking: "Will she be happy with this ring?" The honest answer is that ring satisfaction comes from the ring matching her aesthetic preferences and being received as a thoughtful, personal choice — not from hitting a specific price point. A 1-carat moissanite in a setting she loves will bring more daily joy than a 2-carat stone in a setting she doesn't connect with.
Our Recommendation
Spend what you can afford without financial stress. Choose the stone size and setting that match her style. Do not spend money you don't have to meet an expectation that was manufactured by marketing. A moissanite ring at any of the budget levels above is a beautiful, durable, certified fine jewelry piece — and the right amount to spend is the amount that lets you start your marriage without debt.
Related reading:
The Real Cost Difference Between Moissanite and Diamond
Moissanite Price Per Carat 2026
Moissanite Financing & Payment Options