Many People Delay Marriage, Unable to Afford Gold Rings
Many People Delay Marriage, Unable to Afford Gold Rings
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Gold bar prices in Indonesia were observed to be stagnant today, Monday (6/4/2026), at Galeri 24, Antam, UBS, and Antam Retro. They remain in the range of Rp2,885,000-2,919,000 per gram.
Although stagnant and tending to decline during the United States-Israel war against Iran, gold prices have experienced quite drastic ups and downs since Trump launched his tariff war policy last year.
The fluctuating surge in gold prices is changing global societal behaviour. Not only in investment strategies, but it also impacts wedding and engagement ring purchases.
Quoted from Business Insider, Monday (6/4/2026), many people are rethinking their proposal plans, from setting the right time to finding strategies for selecting more budget-friendly jewellery materials to seal their commitment.
Although gold prices have fluctuated, they remain 70% higher than at the beginning of 2025. In jewellery stores, gold price fluctuations mean that selling prices for jewellery can change quickly.
“We are seeing a real price shock,” said Peter Manka Jr., one of the owners of the New York-based bridal jewellery store Ben Garelick, to Business Insider.
Quoted from Gem Breakfast, jewellery designs dominated by gold, such as plain wedding rings, thick stackable rings, and gold rings without large stones, are most affected by the rise in gold prices. These styles are almost entirely made of gold, so when prices surge, the difference is more noticeable.
The average price of a Ben Garelick engagement ring with a laboratory-made diamond in the centre was US$1,544 in 2023. In 2024, the price rose slightly to US$1,633. In 2025, the average price jumped to US$2,408, equivalent to a 47% year-on-year increase.
This rise occurred even as loose diamond prices at the store fell nearly 40% from 2023 to 2025, largely because laboratory-made diamonds, which now make up the majority of sales, have become cheaper. In other words, most of the increase comes from gold.
Amid the high cost of gold, a recent wedding video from Saudi Arabia went viral. The groom presented 24-carat gold to his bride. The content drew attention because most citizens can no longer afford gold with such high purity amid the skyrocketing price surge.
Many People Delay Marriage
This surge has already changed consumer behaviour. Manka said that 25% to 30% of engagement ring buyers have delayed purchases in the hope that gold prices will fall. This shows that the gold price surge is indirectly making the ‘sex recession’ even higher.
In some countries, the sex recession, marked by many people choosing not to marry, has reached concerning levels. Some countries experiencing the ‘sex recession’ phenomenon are China, Japan, and South Korea.
The high gold prices hindering the proposal process will make the phenomenon of people delaying marriage or choosing not to marry even higher.
On the other hand, with prices changing rapidly, Manka’s store has urged customers to act quickly once they are ready to buy, warning that prices can change in a matter of days.
For buyers who are hesitant or unsure about their proposal timeline, instalment payment options and financing have become more popular as a way to lock in current prices, he added.
Changes in Consumer Behaviour
As gold prices reach record highs, prospective couples are also seeking ways to save on their budgets. Some are reusing old jewellery.
“We have seen them checking their jewellery boxes, and sometimes their parents’ jewellery boxes, to help offset the higher prices,” said Manka.
The store melts down old jewellery to create new rings or offers gold credit for purchases. Manka estimates a 10% to 15% increase in customers bringing heirloom gold for engagement and wedding rings.
Vivian Grimes, founder of the Florida-based luxury jewellery brand Henri Noël, said she has seen more customers reusing heirloom jewellery in recent months.
“Clients realise that the jewellery stored in drawers is often one of the most meaningful and valuable assets they already own,” said Grimes.
For some buyers, the psychology surrounding gold itself is evolving. Max Baecker, president of American Hartford Gold, said he has seen consumers thinking more carefully about what they buy.
“There is growing recognition that gold is not just decorative, but also a real asset with intrinsic value,” said Baecker.
So, even if couples adjust the karat weight or design to stay within budget, they usually still tend to choose gold because it symbolises eternity, he added.
“In uncertain times, that symbolism becomes stronger,” said Baecker.
Engagement ring buyers at Ben Garelick mostly stick with 14K gold, which is 58.3% pure gold. However, more men are choosing lower-karat gold for their wedding rings, with 35% to 40% of male buyers opting for 10K gold with 41.7% purity, or rings mixed with alternative metals like tantalum, said Manka.
This shift underscores how jewellers are rethinking materials and pricing as the precious metals market becomes more volatile following the historic rise.
The impact is particularly felt in the affordable luxury segment for the middle class, where consumers are more price-sensitive.
Pandora, known for its silver bracelets, is betting on platinum in 2026, introducing platinum-plated versions of its best-selling jewellery to reduce