Irish couples who are getting engaged are opting for cheaper rings, to put the money towards new homes or furniture.
Women here are defying a world-wide trend, which has seen the amount of money spent on wedding and engagement rings soar because of the increasing price of gold.
The average amount spent on an engagement ring here has not changed for the last two years, remaining steadily at €1,333 - according to the Littlewoods Ireland survey.
However, there are also some big spenders in Ireland, with more engagement rings costing over €3,500 sold in Cork than anywhere else.
Westmeath, on average, spend the least believing that eternal love should cost no more than €729.
Next comes Cavan at €899, Monaghan at €1,149 and Sligo spends €1,849.
But couples from these regions also devote a greater proportion of their wedding budget to home building than anywhere else.
While Cork tops the league of big spenders on rings, they are closely followed by Dublin at €2,149, Galway at €1,449 and Limerick coming in at €1,199.
Littlewoods spokesperson Karen Nason said: "A well equipped, comfortable marital home looks like it is now becoming more important than jewellery. It would appear that fine furnishings bring a greater gleam to Irish women’s eyes than any expensive diamond".
The top five items which Irish women regard as more important than an expensive engagement ring are:
- Deposit on a new home
- A new kitchen
- Soft furnishing including three piece suites
- Large comfortable beds
- Wide screen TVs and household equipment
