How Much to Spend on an Engagement Ring in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Engagement rings
There is no rule for how much to spend on an engagement ring. Spend what you are comfortable with, and decide natural or lab-grown diamond first, because that one choice changes the price more than anything else. At Lana Al Kamal, a 1 carat lab-grown solitaire in 18K gold costs AED 5,100 to 6,000, and a 1 carat natural diamond ring costs AED 30,000 to 50,000, depending on the design (prices as of November 2026).
Shop the Royale Pear Diamond Ring18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Pay in instalments with Tabby or Tamara (UAE and KSA) · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 12 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- There is no salary rule; the "months of salary" idea began as a diamond advertising slogan.
- Natural or lab-grown is the biggest price decision: 1 carat lab-grown costs AED 5,100 to 6,000, 1 carat natural AED 30,000 to 50,000.
- Gold colour does not change the price; carat and setting do.
Is there a salary rule?
No. The idea that an engagement ring should cost one, two or three months of salary started as an advertising slogan from the diamond industry, not as a tradition or a financial rule. A better starting point is the amount you can pay without debt, then the size and type of diamond that amount buys.
Pieces in this guide
Classic Round Diamond RingFrom AED 6,000Shop now
Eternal Heart Diamond RingFrom AED 5,800Shop now
Royale Pear Diamond RingFrom AED 6,900Shop now
What does a diamond engagement ring cost by carat?
The Classic Round Diamond Ring is a good benchmark: one round brilliant centre diamond in 18K gold, with an IGI or GIA certificate.
| Centre diamond | Lab-grown (CVD) | Natural |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 carat | Not offered | AED 20,000 |
| 1 carat | AED 6,000 | AED 45,000 |
| 2 carat | AED 8,000 | AED 105,000 |
| 3 carat | AED 10,600 | Not offered |
Classic Round Diamond Ring prices, November 2026. A natural diamond costs several times more than a lab-grown one of the same size, because natural diamonds are rare. Both are real diamonds with the same look and hardness; our engagement ring guide explains the difference.
What can you get for your budget?
| Budget (AED) | What it buys | Example rings |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 to 7,000 | 1 carat lab-grown solitaire or halo | Classic Pear 5,100, Eternal Heart 5,800, Classic Round 6,000 |
| 7,000 to 13,000 | 2 to 3 carat lab-grown, or a three-stone ring | Classic Round 2 ct 8,000, 3 ct 10,600; Royale Pear 3 ct 12,600 |
| 15,000 to 50,000 | 0.5 to 1 carat natural diamond | Eternal Heart natural 0.5 ct 15,000, 1 ct 30,000; Classic Round natural 1 ct 45,000 |
| 65,000 and above | 2 carat natural diamond | Eternal Heart 65,000, Classic Round 105,000, Royale Pear 125,000 |
All prices are for November 2026 and are the same in yellow, white and rose gold.
What to buyClassic Round Diamond Ring, from AED 6,000What changes the price, and what does not?
- Natural or lab-grown: the biggest difference, often five to ten times for the same carat.
- Carat weight: price rises faster than size, especially for natural diamonds.
- Setting: a halo or three-stone design adds diamonds, so it costs more than a solitaire with the same centre stone.
- Gold colour: no difference. Yellow, white and rose 18K gold cost the same on these rings.
How to decide in three steps
- Set the total you are comfortable paying.
- Choose natural (rarity) or lab-grown (more size for the budget).
- Pick the shape and setting she loves, then the largest carat that fits. Our dibla guide helps if the ring will also be the wedding ring.
Every ANA ring comes with an IGI or GIA certificate for the centre diamond and free engraving. Rings are made to order in about 15 working days, then delivered in about 3 working days in the UAE or 5 to Saudi Arabia. Send our team your budget on WhatsApp and we will show you the options that fit it.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
There is no rule. Start with what you can pay comfortably, then choose natural or lab-grown. At Lana Al Kamal, diamond engagement rings start at AED 5,100 (November 2026).
Is the three months' salary rule real?
No. It began as an advertising slogan from the diamond industry, not as a tradition or a financial rule.
How much is a 1 carat diamond ring in Dubai?
At Lana Al Kamal, a 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring in 18K gold costs AED 5,100 to 6,900, and a 1 carat natural diamond ring costs AED 30,000 to 50,000, depending on the design (November 2026).
Why is a lab-grown diamond cheaper?
A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond grown in a laboratory, so supply is not limited the way natural diamonds are. It costs much less for the same size.
Does white gold cost more than yellow gold?
Not on these rings. Yellow, white and rose 18K gold are the same price.
Not sure which one?
Send our team a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp our teamKeep reading
Engagement Ring Guide for the UAE and Saudi ArabiaDibla or Diamond Ring? Choosing Your Engagement and Wedding Ring in 18K GoldThe 4Cs of Diamonds: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Explained
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Most pieces are made in 18K gold.
