

We've all heard it: “Spend three months' salary on the ring.” But in York, couples are taking a more personal — and sensible — approach.
Your engagement ring budget should reflect your values, not an outdated rule.
As a bespoke jeweller, I help clients focus on what matters most: meaning, design, and lasting beauty.
In my experience, most couples in York spend:
£2,000–£4,000 on lab-grown diamond rings
£4,000–£6,000+ for natural diamonds or custom heirloom settings
But this isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about creating something that feels right for you.
The biggest factors are:
Type of stone (lab-grown vs natural)
Carat weight and cut quality
Metal choice (platinum and 18ct gold cost more than 9ct)
Design complexity
Every Michael Isaac ring is designed around your priorities and budget — never upsold, always intentional.
Here's how I help York couples maximise their budget:
Go bespoke
You control every detail — no wasted features or showroom markups.
Consider lab-grown diamonds
Ethical, beautiful, and great value per carat.
Prioritise craftsmanship over carat size
A well-designed ring always stands out — regardless of stone size.
Spend more if:
You're combining the engagement + wedding ring budget
You want a rare or large natural diamond
Spend less if:
You’re prioritising a wedding or travel fund
You want to upgrade later — a growing trend among York couples
Explore lab-grown vs natural diamonds
Learn about our bespoke ring design process
View our engagement rings by budget tier
The perfect engagement ring isn’t the most expensive — it’s the one made for the right reasons .Let’s design a ring that reflects your story, your style, and your budget.