Diamond Guide
How Much Should You Budget for Engagement and Wedding Rings?
Set an engagement and wedding ring budget with real numbers — actual prices by material, the truth about the "3 months' salary" rule, and how to maximize any budget.
Forget the "3 Months' Salary" Rule
The "3 months' salary" rule isn't ancient tradition — it was a diamond company's ad campaign last century. The right budget is whatever lets married life start comfortably.
What matters instead is value within that budget: genuine quality, verifiable certification, and pricing without layers of retail markup.
Real Prices by Material (2026)
Real numbers from our workshop: a single silver-set diamond ring from ~8,000 THB; silver pairs from ~16,000 THB; 9K gold pairs from ~28,000 THB; 14K from ~59,000 THB; 18K from ~80,000 THB — all with the same D color diamonds.
Note that the setting metal, not diamond quality, drives most of the price. On a tight budget, keep the diamond quality and choose silver or 9K rather than downgrading the stone for a higher-karat band.
Stretching the Budget
Order made-to-order instead of retail stock — you pay for exactly your spec. Choose halo or cluster designs for a big-diamond look at multi-small-stone prices, and avoid round carat numbers like 0.50 or 1.00 where prices jump.
And watch hidden costs — at ZILVY, engraving, shipping, and lifetime care are all free. Pay a 40% deposit and receive your rings in 5-10 business days.
FAQ
Do we need both an engagement ring and wedding rings?
Not necessarily — many Thai couples use one ring for both: a diamond-forward ring for her and a clean band for him, which saves substantially.
Can 30,000 THB get a gold pair?
Yes — genuine 9K gold pairs start around 28,000 THB, or the same budget buys a silver pair with noticeably larger diamonds.
Can we pay in installments?
ZILVY works on a 40% deposit before production with the balance before delivery, and offers cash on delivery (COD) for peace of mind.