Is it ever too BIG?
November 1st 2007 01:54
It all began years ago when gold rings were traded as currency, and later evolved into a piece of jewellery and the all important symbol of a man’s love, affection and intention. These days before you out the cash for that piece of *bling*, you’re expected to know or rather be aware of the four Cs – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
Some engagement rings are made-to-order, most are bought off-the-shelf, and others are family heirlooms. Whatever it is, that engagement ring is always worn with pride and joy. I know many girls who proudly display their engagement ring…a contented smile upon their faces as they catch the glittering effects of it. Most often than not, they proudly and (almost mechanically) reel-off the facts figures (of the four Cs) on their ring.
Errrr…wait a minute, are the four Cs that important? What happened to the engagement ring as a symbol of his love and intention? Are the four Cs more important than his love?
Oh…wait, or does the four Cs of that engagement ring illustrate how much he loves you? The bigger it is, the more he loves you? I read numerous articles that
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An acquaintance recently got engaged. She proudly told us about the beautiful engagement ring (which easily met the four Cs) that was beautifully hand-crafted by a well-known jeweller. *Patiently* we waited for her to show it to us… Unfortunately she wasn’t wearing it, and we probably won’t (ever) get to see it…she told us it was safely tucked away in the safe!
Images courtesy of chelle (first image) and Gracey Stinson (second image), morgueFile.com
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Comment by Michaelie
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Lara M
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I'm not a jewellery person but I agree that that glitter is nice, katyzzz
Comment by Louie
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Damned if I do on this one - damned if I don't.
Thankfully Mrs NG isn't a big jewellery type girl.
That said - I was informed just prior to celebrating 1 year of wedded bliss that your 12 month anniversary (or first child) was the time to purchase an eternity ring.
. . . was I duped?
MNG
Comment by Lara M
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Lucky u, MNG
Comment by Krystal
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Comment by Aimzster
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Oh and a note to those girls who think bigger is better : if the quality is crap, it just makes your ring and your taste (not to mention your fiance) gaudy.
Comment by Patricia
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I had a friend in Hong Kong who was a lapidary and custom jeweler; we had many a private giggle over the tacky "knuckle duster" rings the recently rich tourists would order. High quality gemstones, to be sure, but HUGE. No matter how good the stones are, they all look like costume jewelry when they're that big!
Comment by What's Your Story?
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes it can definitely be too big. The amount a ring costs is not proportional to how much the guy loves you.
A friend of mine has a ring that's worth $10,000. I can't fathom it for a few reasons. One, that is too much money. Two, I might lose the thing (although it would be insured, but still) and three, imagine the holiday you could have with the money....four, I think it is really big and impractical...five, the size would get on my nerves...
Byeee
Comment by Cibbuano
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The trouble with engagement rings - Slate Magazine
Comment by Lilla
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My engagement present was a beautiful black electric guitar and amp.
Long after I was married, I had an engagement ring fashioned out of a couple old pairs of earings I bought whilst living in India. A modest diamond was added and later.... lost, just as easily.
I never replaced that diamond with another, instead I opted for a zirconia... great shiny bling for about one-millionth the cost ... I don't think my husband loves me less becuase it is not a diamond either *lol*
I do think people carry it too far, especially young men who go into debt to buy big bling to impress their girl (or her parents/friends). What a pressure to take to any new marriage, because she is buying into theat debt too...?
An interesting question and post.
Lilla ...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
If you love the ring and the man, then the size shouldn't matter.
As for me, I'm not really a diamond kinda girl. I'd probably have some kind of ring, but I'd rather something a bit unusual and funky rather than 'blingy'. And I definitely wouldn't be spending 3 months salary. I'd rather he spend that money on a holiday for us somewhere thanks!
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Lilla
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I agree with D.Arm, that so many youngsters are intimidated by over the top advertising aimed at what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' ... my advice would always be to make your own 'music' and go with what feels right to you both.
If you can't decide on this basic essential?
Well perhaps it's not such a good match anyway, right?
Comment by Ashley
College of Cash
Also - I've heard the 2 month's salary thing before and the first time I almost had a heart attack. As to the question in your title - yes I think sometimes rings are too big. Mine will be small so I can't knock myself or other people out with it!
Comment by Australian Fashionista
Australian Fashionista
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My eyes popped when I saw a friend's wedding and engagement rings recently. They are everything they are 'supposed to be'. The 4 C's, The ridiculous price tag...
Recently my boyfriend wanted to buy me an engagement ring but instead I talked him down to a large silver & zirconia love ring valued at $30! The ring I bought him cost more.
Yet as I look at my beautiful silver rock studded glory, I worry that my heart doesn't race like it did when I saw my friend's ring. If it was real would it make a difference?
The other thought that DOES make a difference is how I would feel if I had to spend 2-3 months salary on my boyfriend - not so much fun then ladies!
I certainly won't be wearing something on my person valued at the average retail of my car!
AF, Confused.
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
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Well I`m not really that fussed about marriage personally. I don`t think a piece of jewellry or a piece of paper should tell two people that they love one another.
A friend of mine just got engaged. Her fiancee paid about $7 000 for a very ordinary looking ring (in my opinion). Along with his other debts he is probably now about $15 000 in debt. She refuses to marry him until he has paid his debts off because she believes that a marriage should start debt free.
Now considering that she is responsible for roughly half that debt.....
Yeah! I just don`t get it. Put a deposit down on a house or something man, don`t spend ridiculous amounts of money on something like a ring... a symbol of your love? Someone could go out into the bush and bring me a rock as a symbol of their love and it would mean more than a $7 000 ring that I`d be too scared to wear for fear of losing it.
Each to their own though.
Ash
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Aimzster, I couldn't agree with you more...money sure can't but style and taste!
That's a beautiful story, Patricia. That man and those kids are priceless, eh... Thanks for sharing!
I think so too 'What's Your Story?'
<LOL> Ditto, Tracy!
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
What a beautiful engagement present, Lilla. ...and *made* from the heart too, love it... I too think too many get into debt from the engagement get-go!
Great idea, Kylie. ...nothing like shared experiences and memories to *enhance* the relationship (than a piece of *bling*)...
I think u did the right thing with the ring that you've got, Australian Fashionista. It's the thought that counts, and the love that matters. Do we really have to succumb to social norms and retail marketing? I doubt very much so...especially since it's not them who are paying the bills...
That's a good point, Ash. Why should a piece of jewellery or piece of paper be representative of love. More so...when one has to be in debt to buy that *bling*! I hope your friend sorts out the debt before the wedding...now that's probably another debt in the making...from what I can *see*!
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