Name Brand Ring? 25c Machine? Which way do you lean?

My friend dragged me into the Tiffany's store to steal glances at the engagement rings...

she asked: "Wouldn't you just be so excited to get your ring from here in one of those blue boxes? Wouldn't it just be the BEST?"

 My immediate response was: "No. In fact I'd be pissed off that he wasted so much extra money on a cardboard box for the ring to arrive in."

Am I crazy? Is she?

What is it about name brand anything that gets people excited??? Would she even be able to pick out a Tiffany's ring out of a lineup? Probably not. I certainly couldn't. I'd probably be happy with a ring from a 25c machine (although maybe something slightly more substantial since I'd be sad if the original broke) 

People are funny to analyze.

Just the gesture of him actually wanting to marry me would be enough :P

Original Post by jef9up:

Am I crazy? Is she?

No, and no.

Personally, I agree with you that spending that much money just to get a pretty blue box and a huge rock is a waste of money.  As already mentioned, a designer name and impressive bling doesn't mean the guy loves you more.

As for your friend, I suspect she's going off not just the reputation, but the romanticism that Tiffany's can evoke - whether she gets it from commercials or movies.  I don't know if she'd understand the reference, but you could have suggested that she could still have the blue box if the guy just got a Cracker Jack ring engraved there.   

I would rather use the money to put towards a downpayment of a new home to start our marriage. 

Ring schming...

Original Post by santonacci:

I don't know if she'd understand the reference, but you could have suggested that she could still have the blue box if the guy just got a Cracker Jack ring engraved there.   

Would it still cost $10, you think?

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Would it still cost $10, you think?

Well, that $10 was in 1961 - so, assuming they would be willing, I doubt it.  

on edit:  "Wouldn't you love to get something in one of those blue boxes" is not an uncommon sentiment.  It's a brilliant branding strategy.

My bf and I looked at rings a couple of months ago (yeah I internally squeeed like a little girl) and agreed no major chain stores. We looked in a place that is a local jeweller, Canadian diamonds, reasonable prices and I happened to find a ring I LOVE love love. The ring itself is a few hundered dollars, the diamond would be....more. Basically I want the smallest one that fits in there. I want something I love but not at a high price, that's not really an option for us anyway...but even if it were, I'd still prefer something non-extravagant. I love sparkles, but I love debt repayment more.

 Hm. It depends on the person in question due to multiple factors. I wouldn't want something overly large/extravagant. The reason being that I think it would look gody on me. . .I have very small hands. Lol. I have something that's smaller to appear balanced/tasteful in an elegant way.

I just don't like for things to look/feel kind of tacky. When it comes to jewelry I prefer white gold/silver. I hadn't envisioned my future wedding rings, lol. I was too awe-struck to even look at the ring when he proposed. My husband is so romantic. <3 I didn't see it coming so when he knelt down on one knee to propose... My knees buckled! I would've fallen down if he hadn't grabbed a hold of me. The ' ring ' wasn't looked at or even thought about until after the fact. He prompted me to look at the ring!  He explained how there were x number of diamonds to represent x to us. He awed me.  At which time I said " Aww. It's beautiful but too big " And he said " We can get something smaller... This is the most tasteful small setting I could find. " Me: "  Nu nu nu It's perfect. . . I meant the actual size of the band. It's the perfect size once we have it re-sized, Lol!! I love you. . .I love it! " I was just so happy he picked something that suited me and represented our love. He put so much thought into the process/rings.  I don't wear things that are bling blinging so to speak, Lol. So gody rings that look like costume jewelry are out. As is anything else that's just too flashy/big. I like jewelry to have a charming elegant setting/appearance.

It doesn't have to be expensive at all. The meaning behind it is what truly matters, not the price tag. If one only cares about how expensive her ring is/where it's from...she is immature and selfish,imho. That said, I don't know how much people typically spend. My friends was bought on clearance cheap though it was nearly a $600 ring. He got it for nearly $300 on clearance. I guess plus tax in their case, Lol. I dunno. My sister has one that was a  $1,000 ring and he got it all for $585 off an individual seller. There were asking $600, but went down. Since it was such a long drive to meet them for it. ( I only know that much because I was told. Both couples were pleased about their finds price/quality wise. They were so pleased they found rings they could afford that were so nice/perfect for them.  Both looked around for months for rings in their price range.)  I also have a friend that bought 3,000 dollar ring on credit.  But, I personally think that $600-$1000 would suffice for a decent ring. I think that whole three month or two month rule is a bunch of bs. He should spend what he can afford, not what some person or company made up as a "rule".

Some people have a small ring at first but one with good quality diamonds. Then in a few years, get a new setting, add some bigger stones, and keep the ones in their original engagement ring to add to the new setting. People do it all the time. Some people are broke when they get married, and years from now they'll have more $$$ hopefully. There's no reason people can't get an anniversary setting down the road and upgrade. Some people don't even wear for that matter. My sister rarely ever wears her rings at all. She's been married for 18 years. Lol.

I love my rings and I don't care how much it cost because he bought it for me with love! He spent what he could afford and chose ones that he knew would suit me best and that I would fall in love with :) The diamonds in each ring are there to represent different things to us. I'd go into detail but it's only significant ....mushy/sappy... sweet lovy-dovy stuff to us.  <3

My boyfriend bought me a promise ring.

It was around $250, and it was an antique that I saw in a store window and kinda squealed/cooed at it as we walked past. He went back the next week and bought it. We then had it resized, cleaned, and the actual ring upgraded to a thicker band because it was worn down (well loved antique!).

All told, he spent $650 on an antique ring that I treasure, love, and sometimes just stare at because of the craftsmenship, the love, and the thought behind it.

It wasn't bought at a chain store, and wasn't thousands on thousands of dollars. The diamonds are small, and not hugely sparkly. But I love it.

I love it for what it represents more than anything. Sure, a 3 karat silver hunk from Tiffany's would represent his love, but not as well. This ring is personal, not hugely manufactored, and unique for and to me :)