$75,000 price of love in Ipswich

Jeweller Brad Kearton once sold a $75,000 engagement ring.

Claudia Baxter

WHEN Australian cricketer Michael Clarke gave Lara Bingle a $200,000 ring, men everywhere shuddered at the thought of such an expensive engagement gift.

Clarke will no doubt be kicking himself now that the couple has split and Ms Bingle has opted to keep the ring.

But it seems some guys in Ipswich are similar big-hitters when it comes to buying that special ring.

The Queensland Times called several Ipswich jewellers to find the most-expensive ring sold in the city, and discovered one man came close to Clarke’s commitment, spending $75,000 on an engagement ring two years ago.

Brad Kearton, who has owned an independent jewellery store in Ipswich for 14 years, sold a 2ct diamond engagement ring worth more than what most men earn in a year.

“I can’t say who bought it, I don’t think the person would want people to know,” Mr Kearton said.

“It was the most-expensive ring I have sold in the 14 years I have been here.

“It had a 2ct diamond and platinum settings. It was very nice.”

Mr Kearton said traditional solitaire diamonds were still the engagement ring of choice.

“The average engagement ring people buy here costs around $5000. You don’t need to spend heaps of money like Michael Clarke to impress your partner,” he said.

“Tradition is not as important any more and people are opting for individual and unique designs.”

The typical rule which governs an engagement ring purchase is two to three months personal wages, but Mr Kearton said most men ignored the rule.

“That rule was a marketing effort by De Beers diamonds, but now everyone has their own budget, and it really depends on your job and house payments,” he said.