SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
SurveysFeb 15, 2019
Another Survey Shows Dip in Engagement Ring Spending
The Knot says couples spent about 2 percent less on their engagement rings in 2018.
The average couple spent $5,680 on an engagement ring in 2018, down from $5,764 in 2017. This diamond halo engagement ring from Stuller is 14-karat white gold with baguette sides. It retails for $1,665, not including center stone.
New York—Weddings with a personal flair were all the rage in 2018, but U.S. couples spent less on a few key elements including the engagement ring, data from The Knot shows.
On Thursday—Valentine’s Day—the popular wedding planning website released the results of the 2018 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 14,000 couples in the United States who got married last year.
Overall, the average cost of a wedding, excluding the honeymoon, was $33,931, up about 2 percent compared with $33,391 in 2017. (Just to put it in perspective, $32,500 could get you a brand-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Sedan.)
The most expensive place to get married was Manhattan with the average Big Apple wedding costing $96,910. The least expensive place was Idaho, where the average wedding runs around $16,366.
The average couple spent $5,680 on an engagement ring, down about 2 percent compared with $5,764 in 2017.
The bride’s wedding band cost an average of $1,078, nearly double the $584 average price tag of the groom’s wedding band.
The Wedding Report, a Tucson-based research company that tracks and forecasts spending and trends in the wedding industry, reported similar findings on engagement ring spending earlier this week, noting about a 1 percent drop.
Outside of jewelry, couples cut costs on the cake, spending $528 on average, about 2 percent less than $540 a year ago. Around 58 percent of couples celebrated with a traditional tiered wedding cake, while others opted for cupcakes or cookies.
The average amount spent on invitations also dropped, declining about 5 percent from $408 to $386.
There were a few areas where couples spent more money, including on the dress and on event planners.
The average bride spent $1,631 on the dress, about an 8 percent jump compared with $1,509 last year.
Couples spent an average of $2,002 on an event planner, a close to 1 percent increase compared with $1,988 in 2017. Around 29 percent of couples hired a professional planner to craft the perfect day.
Another interesting note from The Knot’s 2018 Real Weddings Study: Nearly 59 percent of Generation Z respondents—Gen Z is the group that follows the millennials—said they will likely include a charity on their wedding registry as a way of giving back.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
