How much are people spending on engagement rings in Ireland?
The Average Price of Engagement Rings in Ireland
The average spend on engagement rings bought in Ireland in 2022 was €2312. We have also broken it down by county so you can see where your county ranks below.
See where your county ranks on the league table below!
| Position | County | Average Spend |
|---|---|---|
| 1st. |  Cork |
€3612 |
| 2nd. |  Wicklow |
€3552 |
| 3rd. |  Mayo |
€3529 |
| 4th. |  Dublin |
€3448 |
| 5th. |  Wexford |
€3263 |
| 6th. |  Waterford |
€3126 |
| 7th. |  Kildare |
€3056 |
| 8th. |  Kilkenny |
€3033 |
| 9th. |  Meath |
€2989 |
| 10th. |  Galway |
€2912 |
| 11th. | Sligo |
€2891 |
| 12th. |  Clare |
€2889 |
| 13th. |  Westmeath |
€2868 |
| 14th. |  Limerick |
€2802 |
| 15th. |  Offaly |
€2753 |
| 16th. |  Laois |
€2721 |
| 17th. |  Tipperary |
€2674 |
| 18th. |  Carlow |
€2670 |
| 19th. |  Donegal |
€2657 |
| 20th. |  Roscommon |
€2645 |
| 21st. |  Louth |
€2473 |
| 22nd. |  Monaghan |
€2447 |
| 23rd. |  Cavan |
€2328 |
| 24th. |  Leitrim |
€2253 |
| 25th. |  Longford |
€2166 |
| 26th. |  Kerry |
€2093 |
*Where there was low data for certain counties, we used data from the previous year to supplement it.
What engagement rings are people buying in Ireland this year?
The Most Popular Engagement Rings in Ireland
Planning on popping the question in Ireland this year?
You may be wondering what the most popular engagement ring styles are in the country.
While trends can change from year to year, there are a few classic and timeless styles that are always popular among couples in Ireland. In this piece, we’ll take a look at some of the most sought-after engagement rings in the Emerald Isle in 2022, from solitaire diamond rings to halo designs and beyond. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or something a little more unique, there’s sure to be a ring on this list that catches your eye.
Who spent the most?
What Were the Most Expensive Rings in Ireland 2022?
At Bespoke Diamonds, we offer engagement rings to suit every budget as we make everything ourselves in-house. Here are descriptions and approximate prices of our top 5 most expensive rings sold this year.
1. Over €60,000 – A couple in Cavan
2. Approx €52,000 – A couple from Cork
3. Approx €47,000 – A couple from Dublin
4. Approx €39,000 – From Belfast
5. Approx €36,000 – From Waterford
Most popular Diamond Shapes/Cuts in Ireland 2022
The shape of a diamond refers to the overall outline or silhouette of the stone, while the cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. The shape of a diamond can greatly affect its appearance and how it sparkles and shines.
The fire and shine of a diamond refer to the rainbow-like flashes of color that are visible when the diamond is moved or viewed from different angles. The fire and shine of a diamond are affected by the cut and overall quality of the diamond, not just the shape. A well-cut diamond will have a higher level of fire and shine, regardless of its shape.
1. Oval Cut Diamond
Oval cut diamonds are similar to round cut diamonds, but they have a longer, oval silhouette. They have a high level of sparkle and are a popular choice for those looking for a modern and elegant shape.
2. Round Cut Diamond
Round diamonds are the most popular shape in general but have been outsold by Ovals this year. Known for their maximum brilliance and sparkle, the round cut has the most facets of any diamond shape, which allows light to reflect and refract.
3. Emerald Cut Diamond
Emerald cut diamonds have a rectangular shape with cropped corners and a longer, rectangular silhouette. They have a more subtle sparkle compared to round or princess cut diamonds, but they are known for their elegant and sophisticated appearance.
4. Princess Cut Diamond
Princess cut diamonds are square or rectangular in shape and also have a high level of brilliance and sparkle. They are a popular choice for those looking for a modern or contemporary look.
5. Cushion Cut Diamond
Cushion cut diamonds are similar to emerald cuts, but they have rounded corners and a softer, more vintage look. They have a medium level of sparkle and are known for their romantic, antique appearance.
6. Radiant Cut Diamonds
Radiant cut diamonds are rectangular or square in shape with trimmed corners and are a popular choice for those looking for a modern and sleek diamond shape. Radiant cut diamonds have a high level of sparkle and are known for their exceptional fire and shine.
7. Pear Cut Diamond
Pear cut diamonds have a teardrop shape and are a combination of a round and a marquise cut. They have a high level of sparkle and are a popular choice for those looking for a unique and eye-catching shape.
8. Marquise Cut Diamond
Marquise cut diamonds are a popular choice for those looking for a unique and elegant diamond shape. Marquise cut diamonds have a high level of sparkle and are known for their exceptional fire and shine due to the diamond's elongated shape.
What are the most popular gemstones in Ireland this year?
The Most Popular Gemstone Engagement Rings in Ireland
Gemstone engagement rings are a beautiful and unique alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings. They offer a range of colours, styles, and shapes to choose from, allowing couples to find a ring that perfectly reflects their personal taste and style. Gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, and morganites are popular choices for engagement rings, and can add a pop of colour and personality to the piece. Whether you want a classic, elegant look or a more modern, trendy design, there is a gemstone engagement ring out there to suit your preferences.
Breakout/Trending Engagement Rings of 2023
This year has seen a number of rings and diamond shapes become increasingly popular. While these rings don’t feature on our top seller list, they are worth mentioning as their popularity has increased substantially compared to the previous 12 months.
Radiant Cut Diamond Rings
This modern cut is our breakout style this year. A Radiant cut diamond is a type of gemstone that is known for its rectangular shape and brilliant cut facets. It has a unique look that combines the shape of an emerald cut with the sparkling facets of a round brilliant cut. The result is a diamond with a lot of sparkle and fire, and a modern, sleek appearance.
Cushion Cut Diamond Rings
Cushion cut diamonds are characterized by their rectangular or square shape and their distinctive “pillow” or “cushion” appearance, which is created by the large, rounded facets on the surface of the stone. The overall look of a cushion cut diamond is often described as warm and cosy, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and other special occasion jewellery.
Sapphire Engagement Rings
Sapphire is a type of gemstone that is known for its durability and beautiful blue colour. As an engagement ring it has always been the most popular gemstone but this year it has even outsold some diamond shapes!
Side-Stone Engagement Rings
Take a solitaire engagement ring, add some more diamonds on the band = Side Stone Engagement Ring! A very popular idea for those who have friends with a solitaire ring and don’t want to copy their style.
Coloured Diamond Engagement Rings
Yes! Diamonds do come in other colours. Perhaps inspired by the de Beer auctions of large pink and blue diamonds this year, customers have been looking for different colours of diamonds such as yellow, blue, grey, black and brown diamonds.
Who Chooses the Engagement Ring?
Couples Together vs Man/One partner
Similar to last year, we see an even split in terms of who chooses the ring. Our “Love it or Return it” guarantee* gives partners the confidence to choose on their own should they want to (if the receiver of the ring would like to change the ring within 100 days, we will take the ring back in exchange for another design or custom design.
We do notice that this varies around the country and particularly in country towns and rural areas.
Natural Diamond vs Lab Grown Diamond
This year we have seen a huge swing towards lab grown diamonds. In recent years, people have chosen lab grown diamonds for various reasons including sustainability, ethical reasons and their lower price. We see this trend continuing next year and also expect lab grown gemstones and lab grown coloured diamonds to make their mark too. Not included in this figure are Moissanite Engagement Rings which we have seen increase in sales again this year.
How do Irish People Pay for Engagement Rings?
Here is a breakdown of how people have chosen to pay for their engagement rings this year. Humm has seen the biggest jump in this category with 18% of our customers using the “Buy Now, Pay Later” option this year. Others are using our in-house instalment plan as they don’t incur any extra fees. Payment is made of a certain amount each month and the customer receives the ring after the final payment.
- 10% Deposit, Balance on Collection – 68%
- Humm Finance – 18%
- Instalments – 11%
- Credit Union/Other – 3%
Pre-Covid vs This Year – How have things changed?
- As expected, shopping online for Engagement rings has become increasingly popular since Covid. Our online sales make up over a quarter of our sales now compared to being a small percentage in 2019.
- While not necessarily because of Covid, another big jump in our statistics has been those choosing lab grown diamonds over natural diamonds. We have seen the figure go from under half choosing lab grown to 70% choosing the more sustainable lab diamond option.
- The number of people using our finance options has increased from 8% to 11% although this could be attributed to us extending our Humm integration on our website and promoting our in-house instalment plans more than previously.
- We get a great percentage of our customers as referrals from other customers – people telling their friends. This has see a jump since Covid in 2019 and the number now makes up over 60% of our in-person sales.
Top five days of the year to propose
- Christmas Eve/Day: For many couples, the holiday season is a time to celebrate their love and spend time together. Christmas is often seen as a festive and romantic time to propose.
- Valentine’s Day: This holiday is known for being a popular time for couples to exchange gifts and show their love for one another which means it is often thought of as a romantic time to propose.
- New Year’s Eve: Ringing in the new year with a proposal is a popular choice for many couples.
- Birthdays: Some people choose to propose on their partner’s birthday as a special way to celebrate the occasion. This is particularly good as you can book a short trip to somewhere especially romantic under the guise of it being a birthday gift.
- Anniversaries: Proposing on the anniversary of a couple’s first date or the day they met is a meaningful way to celebrate their relationship.
While these are the most popular, the most important thing is that the proposal is meaningful and special for both partners.
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Bespoke Diamonds End of Year Report 2022 - Highlights and FAQs
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In 2022, couples in Ireland spent €2312 on average throughout the year. There was a big gap in prices with rings purchased from €500 – €60,000. Around the country, the price varied from €2093 in Kerry to €3612 in Cork. This shows a slight increase on last year and is around 10% more than in 2019 (pre-Covid).
Average spend of engagement rings in Ireland by county (Downloadable league table)
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The most popular style of engagement ring in Ireland in 2022 was an Oval Solitaire with a yellow gold band.
The price for this averaged at €3900 and the size of the diamond ranged from 0.7ct to 3ct.
The top 5 most popular were:- Oval Cut Solitaire with a yellow gold band
- Round Cut Solitaire with a yellow gold band
- Oval Cut Side Stone with a yellow gold band
- Oval Cut Side Stone with scallop set diamonds on a white gold band
- Oval Cut Three Stone ring on a white gold band
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The top top 9 diamond cuts in Ireland 2022 were:
- Oval Cut
- Round Cut
- Emerald Cut
- Princess Cut
- Cushion Cut
- Radiant Cut
- Pear Cut
- Marquise Cut
- Heart Cut
The shape of a diamond refers to the overall outline or silhouette of the stone, while the cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. The shape of a diamond can greatly affect its appearance and how it sparkles and shines.
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This year, 53% of engagement rings were bought by the men/one partner of the couple. 47% of engagement rings were chosen by couples coming in together having already proposed or decided to get married.
This varies around the country with those in Dublin, Cork and Galway more likely to come in together while it was more often 1 partner from rural areas.
Who Chooses the Engagement Ring?
