When it comes to the price of an engagement ring, it is customary to mention a budget equivalent to three months’ salary. This idea is in fact a myth originating in the United States, based on a cultural belief rather than any factual reality.
At Maison Amantys, we guide each client through an introduction to natural diamonds, to understand the characteristics that truly influence their value. Our Gemmologist Advisors share their expert insights to help you define the right budget for your engagement ring.

It is the center diamond of your engagement ring that primarily determines its price. To ensure an informed choice that truly reflects your desires, Maison Amantys has equipped each of its showrooms with a dedicated Diamond Laboratory. It is within this exclusive space that our gemmology initiations take place—introducing you to the science of diamonds and revealing what truly defines the budget of an engagement ring.

The price of a center diamond is defined by its rarity, which itself depends on its intrinsic characteristics. These are known as the 4Cs—the four essential criteria that define a diamond’s value.

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to 0.20 grams. The term originates from the carob seed, historically used as a reference due to its remarkably consistent weight. The price of a diamond increases exponentially with its weight—which is why carat is the most expensive criterion of the 4Cs.

It is essential not to confuse weight with size. For example, a 0.50-carat diamond measures approximately 5.2 mm in diameter, while a 1.00-carat diamond measures about 6.5 mm—not twice as much. It is also worth noting that from 1.00 carat upward, we enter the category of the rarest 5% of diamonds worldwide, and therefore the most valuable.

After carat, clarity is the factor that has the greatest impact on a diamond’s price. It refers to the inclusions (impurities)that formed within the diamond during its geological creation deep in the Earth’s mantle. To assess it, gemmologists use a 10-grade scale, ranging from IF (“Internally Flawless”) to I (“Included”). It is important to note that the first seven grades are invisible to the naked eye.

A diamond’s color refers to its 23 possible shades of white. It is measured on a scale from D, the purest white, to Z, which shows the most noticeable yellow tint. To the naked eye, color differences generally become visible from grade I onward. For this reason, our Gemmologist Advisors recommend choosing a color between D and H.

As color is not the most impactful factor on a diamond’s overall value, selecting a higher degree of whiteness is a strategic and worthwhile choice.

The cut refers to the quality of a diamond’s craftsmanship. It is the primary factor responsible for the brilliance of your engagement ring. A grading scale, ranging from “Excellent” to “Poor,” is used to assess this quality. Despite its visual importance, it remains the least impactful criterion on the final price of the jewel.

At Maison Amantys, our master jewelers select only diamonds graded “Excellent” or “Very Good”, ensuring maximum brilliance with no compromise on performance.

Most engagement rings from Maison Amantys are available from 0.30 carat. You should therefore plan for a minimum budget of €2,000 for your engagement ring.
Depending on the criterion that matters most to you, our Gemmologist Advisors will guide you with tailored recommendations.

If the visual size of your diamond is your top priority, we recommend choosing so-called “smart cuts.” Shapes such as oval or pear appear larger than a round brilliant at the same carat weight. To further reduce the budget of your engagement ring, you can then opt for a lower clarity grade without compromising the overall beauty of the stone.

A diamond’s purity is determined by its clarity: the fewer the inclusions, the purer the stone. If this is the criterion that matters most to you, you can reduce the carat weight to balance your budget in favor of purity. On the clarity scale, we recommend positioning yourself between “IF” and “VS” (Very Small Inclusions).

A white diamond is especially important when set in white gold. If this criterion is particularly meaningful to you, we recommend selecting from the white to extra-white diamonds, ranging between D and F on the color scale. To allocate a larger part of your budget to another criterion, you can reduce either the clarity or the carat weight without compromising the overall elegance of your ring.

Choosing an engagement ring is a moment filled with emotion, but also with uncertainty. Questions arise quickly, and it is easy to feel lost in the jargon of fine jewelry. At Maison Amantys, every Advisor is a trained Gemmologist—a true diamond expert—fully equipped to guide you and help you make the best possible choice.

Our master jewelers work exclusively with natural diamonds certified by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). This is the world’s most respected gemmological laboratory, ensuring that every stone comes from a mine that complies with strict ethical and environmental standards. From 0.30 carat and above, each diamond is accompanied by an official certificate, which is delivered to you with your engagement ring.

Maison Amantys offers the option to pay in up to three interest-free installments. The creation of your jewel begins with the first payment, corresponding to 50% of the total amount. The final balance is due upon delivery of your engagement ring.

Our master jewelers craft each ring to order, which requires 6 to 8 weeks of production. If this timeframe is too short for your schedule, we offer the option to lend you the model of your choice—this is what we call the “pre-proposal ring.” Available from your first appointment, it allows you to secure your proposal while the final ring is being created.