CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
SurveysFeb 16, 2017
How Much Are US Consumers Spending on Engagement Rings?
According to The Knot, the average spend is now above $6,000 while The Wedding Report says it’s closer to $3,400.
The average cost for an engagement ring has passed the $6,000 mark, according to The Knot’s 2016 Real Weddings Survey, while The Wedding Report says it’s more like $3,407. Pictured here is a ring from Kirk Kara’s “Lori” collection ($4,340 in platinum, $3,050 in 18-karat gold, not including center stone).
New York--No matter which report you put more stock in, it’s good news for jewelers: The average amount consumers are spending on their engagement ring in the United States continues to rise.
Recently, wedding planning website The Knot released the results of its 2016 Real Weddings Study in which the company surveyed some 13,000 couples who got married last year to chart the financial spending habits and trends of real weddings in America.
When it comes to the cost of an engagement ring, the survey found that the average spend in the U.S. rose from $5,871 in 2015 to an average of $6,163 last year, an increase of 5 percent.
The Knot said in a press release that survey respondents represent a variety of ethnicities, and educational and income levels and are geographically dispersed across the country. But the company did not respond to a request for more specific information about the survey demographics by press time.
The Knot draws from its own membership for the survey.
Meanwhile, The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks and forecasts spending in the wedding industry, has released a different set of numbers, saying that the average amount consumers spent on their engagement ring rose slightly last year, from $3,386 in 2015 to $3,407 in 2016.
The report also noted that spend on the wedding band is down slightly, decreasing less than 1 percent to $1,242.
The Wedding Report draws on a geographically and demographically diverse crowd, including multiple ethnicities, education levels, occupation types, income levels, marriage number and participants 16 and over, though specific demographics of the participants were not given to National Jeweler.
Both The Knot’s survey and data from The Wedding Report also found that the average cost of weddings is increasing.
According to The Knot’s 2016 Real Weddings Study, the average cost has reached an all-time high at $35,329, up from $32,641 in 2015.
The Wedding Report’s data showed an increase that was less pronounced and a lower total overall, from $26,645 in 2015 to $26,720 last year.
Not surprisingly, the most expensive place to get married in the country is Manhattan, where couples spend a whopping $78,464 on average on their big day, according to The Knot.
In fact, four of the five most expensive places across the country are located in the New York metro area: Manhattan, Long Island, north/central New Jersey and the outer
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
boroughs of New York City. Coming in at fifth on the list was another major metro area, Chicago.
So, what’s behind the increase in cost of weddings these days?
The Knot found that couples are putting more focus on their guests’ experiences at the event. They are decreasing the number of guests but spending more per guest overall as brides and grooms aim to provide tailored entertainment and special amenities.
The spend on custom entertainment for guests has more than tripled from 11 percent in 2009 to 41 percent last year, with photo booths, games, musical performances and fireworks topping the list, The Knot said.
So, what’s behind the increase in cost of weddings these days?
The Knot found that couples are putting more focus on their guests’ experiences at the event. They are decreasing the number of guests but spending more per guest overall as brides and grooms aim to provide tailored entertainment and special amenities.
The spend on custom entertainment for guests has more than tripled from 11 percent in 2009 to 41 percent last year, with photo booths, games, musical performances and fireworks topping the list, The Knot said.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
