For those considering the purchase of a wedding ring, some may wonder how much of a budget to consider. A wedding ring is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. It is difficult to make a decision if you do not know how much is the market price. In this article, we will discuss wedding rings from various angles, including market prices, popular brands, and materials for people in their 20s and 30s, respectively.
What is the market price for wedding rings?
To begin, we will discuss the general price of wedding rings. Let's focus on whether there are differences based on age or income.
Are there differences by age?
In conclusion, we can say that there is no particular difference in the market price depending on the age. A wedding ring is an important once-in-a-lifetime purchase. When considering it as something to be worn for the rest of one's life, some people want to purchase a good, expensive ring. As people get older, they tend to want to choose a high-quality ring that is appropriate for their age. However, wedding rings are worn every day. Scratches from slipping are inevitable, and some designs can become deformed or broken. Even though it is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, wedding rings are everyday rings that are worn every day. With this in mind, many people actually avoid so expensive a ring.
Does it make a difference based on annual income?
For engagement rings, there used to be a trend to aim for "three months' worth of monthly income.
This was a mainstream concept during the bubble era, and was largely inspired by a famous celebrity who, when asked at his engagement press conference about the price of the ring he gave as a gift, replied, "It's the equivalent of three months of my monthly income. Therefore, the higher the annual income of the giver, the higher the cost of purchasing an engagement ring tended to be. Today, however, as might be expected, few people spend the equivalent of three months of their monthly income on an engagement ring.
On the other hand, many people think about choosing a wedding ring that is commensurate with their annual income, and the higher the annual income, the higher the purchase price tends to be. Nevertheless, in practice, the difference is not that great. Many people choose wedding rings at 20〜400,000 yen, and the market price is about 300,000 yen for a pair. It can be said that there is little difference in the market price of wedding rings depending on annual income.
The price of wedding rings varies by material and design.
The price of wedding rings varies depending on the design and material. In terms of material, platinum is generally the most expensive commodity; as of January 2026, gold is more expensive than platinum in terms of market price as a material. However, platinum is still more expensive for wedding rings because it is heavier than gold and requires 1.3 times more precious metal for the same design. Also, the melting point of platinum is higher than that of gold, making it more difficult to process.
In addition to being lighter in specific gravity than platinum, gold generally contains silver, copper, and palladium for strength and color. In Japan, when people talk about "gold wedding rings," they are referring to K18 (K18), a metal that is 75% pure gold and contains other metals. This results in a lower gold content and thus a lower price. In fact, the price of wedding rings fluctuates depending not only on the type of material, but also on the weight of the precious metal used in the design, as well as on the design, such as the addition of diamonds or other gemstones.
Is it OK to buy a new wedding ring?
A wedding ring is something you will wear for the rest of your life. Even so, over the course of its long life, it will sometimes become ill-fitting. They may become scratched or damaged. Some may even get lost. While the size and damage can be fixed, it is also possible that you may grow tired of the design. However, some people may wonder if they should buy a new wedding band just because they want a new one.
In fact, many people replace their wedding rings because of breakage or loss.
After a long time of use, your taste in design may change, and it may no longer suit your age. Although wedding rings are meant to last a lifetime, it is also advantageous to be able to replace them with age-appropriate ones. For example, an increasing number of couples are replacing their wedding rings on their 10th and 20th wedding anniversaries.
Who pays for the wedding rings?
While engagement rings are generally purchased by the man who proposes, there is no rule that one of the two must pay for the wedding ring. While there may be differences in some regions, the actual situation varies. Therefore, we will divide the cases into three categories: cases in which the man pays, cases in which the woman pays, and cases in which the two pay together, and introduce the reasons for each.
About 40% of couples where the man pays.
According to a survey conducted on the payment of wedding rings, 40% of couples are paid by the man. This result indicates that, as with engagement rings, some couples have the idea that wedding rings are "paid for by the man. When considered as women's feelings, many of them may have the feeling that they want it to be a gift. Some may even admire it as a gift from a man.
Only a minority of couples are paid by women.
In some cases, women pay the full amount, either because their actual income is higher than men's or because men have prepared major purchases other than the ring, such as furniture and appliances for the new house. Nevertheless, cases where women pay are currently in the minority. Some women think "I want to pay for the wedding ring" because they have bought the engagement ring, but there are also men who want women to pay for the wedding ring because they have given the engagement ring as a gift.
Couples who serve each other are the mainstream these days.
The case that has become mainstream today is that of two people paying out of their own pocket. This is because people tend to think that "the wedding ring belongs to both of them," and it is also one of the reasons for emphasizing fairness between the genders. When considering the equal status of the two people, it is certainly not fair to make only the man bear the burden of the wedding ring. In some cases, the cost of wedding rings is saved up by the couple in preparation for marriage. In many cases, how the cost of the wedding ring is borne will also be reflected in how money is spent after the marriage. Some couples prefer to split the cost fifty-fifty because they have "one wallet," while others believe that "the man should pay more and the woman should pay less. How you share the cost of wedding rings may reflect how you spend your money after marriage.
In any case, it is ideal for the two of you to prepare in a way that is satisfactory to both of you.
Let's choose a wedding ring that suits you and your budget, not just the market price!
A wedding ring is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
And since it is something you will wear every day for the rest of your life and use on a daily basis, you will want to choose carefully. You are wondering how much you should spend and what the general market price is. And since it is your first time shopping, you are very confused. However, we still recommend, above all, that you choose within a budget that both of you can afford. In addition to the price, of course you want to wear a wedding band of your own design that you both like.
For those who want a beautiful ring but are concerned about the cost, how about MITUBACI's wedding rings, which can be handmade by the couple?
MITUBACI offers rings that can each be made in the width, material, and design of your choice. We can also make suggestions to fit your budget. We welcome visitors just for a tour, so if you are looking for a wedding ring, please visit MITUBACI.
Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you again.
