Engagement rings?

**Sniper** · 24th August 2007, 08:20

Congrats mate.

From experience, I had my ring made. Cost me $3500 but is valued at $9260. Get a ring made, it means more and you can change the ring to the style she likes. Good luck

**Bass** · 24th August 2007, 08:55

She proposed to me and I didn't get an engagement ring at all.

Should I be offended about that?

**007XX** · 24th August 2007, 08:56

Hi Big Dave,

Good on you for being ready to take your relationship to the next level.
I don't personally think the cost of the ring is that important, as long as the said "token of love" doesn't look like something you'd find in a cereal box as Booby prize...

I don't know how much my hubby spent on mine, and I never asked nor tried to find out...He just presented it to me and I said "yes"...It shouldn't be about the dollar value, but for reasonnably good quality jewellery, I'd say you'd have to look at between $1000 and $2000.

And all the best to both of you.

**avgas** · 24th August 2007, 09:15

Originally Posted by Edbear

$32.50

Per hour or Kg?

**scrivy** · 24th August 2007, 09:20

Originally Posted by Albino

Sorry for imposing this counter-viewpoint, it's been the topic of some interesting "discussions" lately - usually followed by no sex

That can lead us on to a whole new topic........
After you're married, just how much sex do you get??
Does the woman always say 'no', and does she ever initiate sex again??

What's the old saying about pigs and rings..........

**Goblin** · 24th August 2007, 09:26

Originally Posted by Albino

I'm afraid I just don't get rings. What does a ring do? A symbol of my love does not need to cost thousands, it should be something that I made myself, rather than handing over a house deposit to micheal hill.

And I'd rather spend the money on holiday, maybe somewhere really romantic to pop the question. Something that we'll remember.

To me a ring is just a material something that she can show to all her friends and feel superior or inferfior based on the amount you forked out compared to theirs.

My current woman doesn't see it this way and I'm doubting whether I'll ever find anyone that does.

Just like weddings, fuck the $30,000. I know that I'd have much better memories of a world trip mith my new wife rather than flower arrangements, photographers, dresses etc etc etc

Sorry for imposing this counter-viewpoint, it's been the topic of some interesting "discussions" lately - usually followed by no sex

OMG!!! I thought I was the only one in the world who thinks like this! I just dont get the ring thing either...or the wedding. What is it with women want to dress up like a giant cream puff for a walk down the church???? All the "my rock is bigger than your rock!"

Bugga that!

**dnos** · 24th August 2007, 10:06

Good on ya man.
I got engaged at the start of the year, after much deliberation and telling myself i really was ready to have a grown up relationship.

As for how much to spend on a ring, the bling i got for my girl cost about $1400 and its bloody shiny as. But yeah, whatever you can afford bud.

**sidecar bob** · 24th August 2007, 10:09

Originally Posted by scrivy

That can lead us on to a whole new topic........
After you're married, just how much sex do you get??
Does the woman always say 'no', and does she ever initiate sex again??

What's the old saying about pigs and rings..........

Well, for you buddy, by what ive heard, the answers are None, Yes & No in that order.
Dont worry mate, I know a hot blonde that wants to blow you.

**scrivy** · 24th August 2007, 10:12

My wedding had 15,000 spectators, the mayor of Wanganui was my celebrant, the event was prime time news on national tv, the cake & photograher and venue was put on by Barbara Lett and the Wanganui M/C club........ and my rings cost......... NAF ALL!!

Was I a cheap skate??? Could anyone top that day?? What would all that have been worth?? Would my wife ever forget that day?? Friggin priceless I would say!! Value of the rings??? Who cares!!

**Sanx** · 24th August 2007, 10:24

There's certainly a law of diminishing returns the more one spends on an engagement ring ... but remember it's something she has to be happy with as she's the one going to be wearing it, hopefully for the rest of her life.

I was always told that the 'accepted' amount to spend was two months wages. Of course, this figure probably comes from jewellers, so they're somewhat biased. There is a huge difference in quality and price between some of the items you see in the run of the mill High St shops and what you can get a manufacturing jeweller to make for you. I know that the ring I got for my other half ended up being officially valued at twice the price it cost us to buy (I still don't really understand this) and my other half's 100% happy with it; well, she should be - she picked the rock and designed the setting.

If you are going for a diamond, consider the four Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat-weight. Of the four, cut is probably the most important as it defines how sparkly the rock is going to end up. When assessed properly, the cuts range from 'Excellent' through to 'Poor'. 'Good' is about average and the lowest you should consider going for. Next on the list, arguably, is colour. Colour ranges from the colourless 'D' through to 'Z', which is a piss-yellow colour. Diamonds rated as high as 'H' will have a distinct yellow tinge when compared to a 'D'-'F' rock.

The clarity defines how many defects are present inside the diamond. The range goes from the (extremely expensive and rare) F/IF (Flawless / Internally Flawless) through to I3, which is essentially a bit of gravel with a surface coating of diamond. However, unless you're going to be spending lots of time examing the rock though a magnifying glass, it doesn't matter about clarity that much provided you don't go too far down the scale. VVSI (Very very small inclusion) and VSI (Very small inclusion) diamonds have flaws, but you're be hard pressed to spot them under 10x magnification unless you've got proper training. SI (Significant inclusion) diamonds may have flaws you can see with the naked eye, but they'll be small (in the grand scheme of things) and shouldn't detract too much from the overall beauty of the rock itself.

Carat weight should be pretty obvious; the larger the rock, the higher the number.

A good jeweller can make all the difference, as they can advise on various aspects of design and come up with ideas (or just show you stuff in catalogues) you hadn't thought of. I know it's not as romantic, but your other half is the best person to pick the ring. PM me if you want details of where we went; the woman's good to deal with and very helpful. We've even gone back to get a wedding band made (I'm just getting some cheap piece of crap off the shelf, as I'm not going to wear it anyway).

**BuFfY** · 24th August 2007, 10:45

I agree with the get it made idea.

Yet I think that spending a bit on it is important. She will be wearing it every day for the rest of her life! And in order for you to get something timeless and beautiful it is going to cost a bit more, but it is so worth it! Quality is the key, and she is so worth it!
And how the hell to you expect to get a ring for $500? My god!!

My mum got married at the start of the year and they spent around $5000 on the ring. And it is BEAUTIFUL!

Best of luck with the proposal!!

**007XX** · 24th August 2007, 11:21

Originally Posted by Goblin

OMG!!! I thought I was the only one in the world who thinks like this! I just dont get the ring thing either...or the wedding. What is it with women want to dress up like a giant cream puff for a walk down the church???? All the "my rock is bigger than your rock!"

Bugga that!

Hell no! You are not alone...

I think there are more of us "lucidly thinking women" out there than it might appear.

We just don't feel the need to be some gawdarn loud about OUR needs, that's all!

Never let s forget the KISS principle...(Keep It Simple Sausage)

**Albino** · 24th August 2007, 11:37

Originally Posted by BuFfY

She will be wearing it every day for the rest of her life!

That's arse about face.

When you get engaged you're saying you are going to get married. It's basically just signalling your intent. So why does this neccessitate a ring that is even more expensive than a wedding ring? Why is this ring still even worn after the wedding? I don't go and buy a bike to signal that I've decided to buy a bike!?? Hmmm wait there's an idea.....

Surely if anything the wedding ring should be the important one.

The fact that it isn't suggest to me that it really is about materialism. The bride to be has months before the wedding day to say 'look at me'.

**madbikeboy** · 24th August 2007, 11:53

Get it handmade, I got my ex's one done by a manufacturing jeweller and got exactly what I wanted. Happy with the ring, less happy with her, so I upgraded to a better model... LOL!