Engagement ring question

B_More, my husband knows all about the diamond rating system. We have a certification for mine somewhere. I'll write more when he and I are both awake tomorrow.

I think I've mentioned this here before, but another thing to consider if you are looking for more bang for your buck is to look at the second hand market. Diamonds generally do not have great resale value, and you can find really great deals at auction and antique dealers. We got my engagement ring from a vintage ring dealer in the diamond district in Manhattan, and chose an Old European Cut diamond from the 1930s to have set in a vintage recreation band. The vintage diamond was considerably cheaper than a modern alternative, and I preferred how it looked (and sparkled) anyway.

We did a lot of research before we bought my ring, and one of the things that we found very useful was to use the 'diamond search' tool on Blue Nile (www.bluenile.com) where you can put in a price range, and it will bring up all the diamonds in their stock in that range--you really start to see how prices vary according to the 4C's and size. That's a great place to start to learn about diamonds.

I want a big honking ring!!  We're not married but thinking about it in the near future.  He has a good job and can afford it.  Now all I have to do is get him to open up the darn wallet of his!! I'm afraid moths will fly out!!  I was looking at one that costs about 3K.  I figured I deserve it damn it 

Ah well, to each their own...I am a real hippy and idealist (and romantic) at heart I guess.   

My fiance is a teacher--not a millionaire.  In lieu of a ring he gave me a silver pendant made and inscribed with something very personal by a friend of ours.  He knew me well enough to know that was perfect without asking me beforehand.  As a bonus our friend made my fiance one as well; and I love it that we both wear them.

I don't care for the diamond industry and would like us to use money toward a house or travelling together. 

I expect us to have a very rich and rewarding life together--sans diamonds.

I didn't want us to spend too much money on rings.  We had a budget and we kept to it...which means we now have the cash to use as a down payment for our dream house/flat.  My engagement ring is very similar to this with a .4 carat stone:



I love it cause I can wear it all the time and never worry about snagging things.  My wedding ring was made for me - it's a similar style but with three diamonds (much smaller) set in the front.  I love them both and the cost was less than $3000 total which was within our ring budget.

Ive heard several people mention their husbands engagement ring? Ive never heard of this...ever! I didnt know men got engagement rings... just wedding rings.  Have I just been under-educated in the whole wedding ring thing.. or is this a fairly new thing?  I know its like.. well why not? Women get them, men should too... but i just asked DH and he said he never heard of it and wouldent really want to wear a ring until hes married. Have we just been living under a rock? 

I didnt know men got engagement rings... just wedding rings.  Have I just been under-educated in the whole wedding ring thing.. or is this a fairly new thing? 

To be honest, I have no idea whether this is a widespread tradition or not.  It is just what seemed natural to us personally so we went with it.

This thread is the first time I've ever heard of a man wearing an engagement ring. Perhaps things are changing, but I seriously doubt that "tradition" applies to more than a handful of couples.

To be honest, I have no idea whether this is a widespread tradition or not.  It is just what seemed natural to us personally so we went with it.

That sounds nice.  I might have considered it at the time if i had heard of it.. or thought of it. What does a mens engagement ring typically look like?

That sounds nice.  I might have considered it at the time if i had heard of it.. or thought of it. What does a mens engagement ring typically look like?

Whatever suits the man, I suppose.  Some men want stones, other men may just want a simple band.

That sounds nice.  I might have considered it at the time if i had heard of it.. or thought of it. What does a mens engagement ring typically look like?

I don't think there is a typical.  My fiance's ring is silver with a braided rope pattern and antiquing in the spaces between the pattern- he really loves it.  My engagement ring is a cluster setting of blue topaz stones that looks vaugely floral- definitely not anything "typical" either, but it was what I wanted so we felt that was more important than tradition.

I don't think there is a typical.  My fiance's ring is silver with a braided rope pattern and antiquing in the spaces between the pattern- he really loves it.  My engagement ring is a cluster setting of blue topaz stones that looks vaugely floral- definitely not anything "typical" either, but it was what I wanted so we felt that was more important than tradition.

You have your own tradition and that is lovely!

I don't think there is a typical.  My fiance's ring is silver with a braided rope pattern and antiquing in the spaces between the pattern- he really loves it.  My engagement ring is a cluster setting of blue topaz stones that looks vaugely floral- definitely not anything "typical" either, but it was what I wanted so we felt that was more important than tradition.

That sounds lovely!

i love the idea of a man wearing an engagement ring.  the only other time i've heard of this is from a scandanavian couple i went to dinner with.  they both had bands on and so i figured they were married- nope, just engaged.  aparently, at the ceremony, only the bride get a ring, and it's a diamand. 

My DH wore a ring on his right hand before we got married.  He got it at his first trip to Glastonbury.  I think he got 3 for a fiver and it was his last one left.  When we got engaged he put it on his ring finger on his left hand.  I thought it was sweet. 

I got a diamond engagement ring, it cost about a months salary I suppose.  We had our wedding rings made in the states.  His was much more expensive than mine, so it all kind of evened out in the end.  He designed his, and I found a jeweler to make it for him. 

We both love our rings and didn't really go overboard on them.