Piggybacking on previous topic--do you notice people's rings?

[Anonymous]

Large diamonds mean nothing. It's about the quality. I've had friends with over 2 carat center stones that were shabby. So I never even look twice at a ring unless there's something unique about the setting.

Quality over quantity . . .

[Anonymous]

I notice. In my profession, few of us wear glitzy jewelry. Walking around with 2 carats and jeans (ESPECIALLY two low quality carats and jeans) says a lot about how one wants to be perceived. If that's what you want, great. Not me.

[Anonymous]

I love antique rings and they are distinctive so I will notice if someone is wearing one. Otherwise, I hate the modern big rock rings. And totally agree on dimension versus hand size.

[Anonymous]

I used to work for some very wealthy people in DC and overheard some "advice" one of thecwonen was giving a young man at dinner: "Don't give her anything bigger than 6 carats or it's tacky." I wanted to choke right then and there!

[Anonymous]

I have a 3 carat engagement ring that I inherited from my grandmother. She didn't have a will, but she always said again and again that she didn't want the ring to go to my brother because she always wanted it to stay in the family (ie, fear of divorce). My DH gave me a .5 carat engagement ring from his grandmother that I wear. I would have preferred a ring halfway between the two. I virtually never wear the 3 carat ring, most of my friends have never seen it and I never wear it in front of my DH, who hates it. I never told him what it got appraised for or he would totally freak out. Anyway, I feel bad that my grandmother wanted me to have it and enjoy it the way she did and it sits away hidden because I am embarassed by the size. Maybe DD will enjoy it one day.

[Anonymous]

As a 27 year old who was engaged in the last year, I think this thread is very amusing! My fiance and I are both from well to do families in this area and are both well educated professionals with good jobs (his is very well paying...mine as an RN, not so much!) Our friends are from similar situations and most do not have anything bigger than 1 carat. My fiance chose my ring because of it's high quality and sentimental value (it is 1.23 carats and both of our birthdays are on the 23rd and our first date was on the 23rd...he had picked out the range of quality he wanted and the 1.23 carat ring just happen to show up in the stores computer system and he said he knew that was the one) and I'm so glad he chose quality over size! I am always getting compliments on how beautiful it is, some people asking to see it time and time again. It's also nice to be able to wear it every day without feeling like it's in the way at work. While it did still cost a pretty penny I'm sure because of the high quality and where he bought it, I'm glad he didn't go any bigger. It's all I want or need and we now have money saved for a nice down payment on a home and are debt free!

[Anonymous]

I greedily rape the fingers of other women with my eyes because I did not get a diamond engagement ring (pearl)and am so jealous. My anger over spouse's refusal still causes tension in our marriage. He comes from a culture in which pragmatism and thrift are paramount and engagement rings are not given. I do not wear my engagement ring; wedding ring is a simple gold band.

My friend told me her friend got an engagement ring DH inherited from his grandmother. She always complained and nagged just like I do. He surprised her with a giant rock and then told her, "I hope you're happy now. You can sleep with this damn ring instead of me!" and then left her.

It is a major goal of my life to buy large rings for my daughters so will never be in this situation. I wish weekly that I had bought myself a two-carat ring before I met my husband but I was always too cheap.

[Anonymous]

Diamonds have never been my favorite stone and I agree that the large modern rings look tacky. I rarely notice rings unless they have an unusual or antique setting and I'm pretty shocked to read that so many women care so deeply about them.

02:08, you cannot be serious that a "major goal of my life to buy large rings for my daughters"?? How about instilling values that we are all more than the sum of our material positions? and that our worth lies in how we treat and value others?

[Anonymous]

possessions, not positions. I'm an idiot who should not be posting while high on too much halloween candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm...I'll be honest, not always but sometimes I definitely do. And when I do see a large ring I admit I usually wonder what it's overcompensating for in the relationship. I know, harsh and looking way into it. But I guess I just don't get needing a big ring. I quickly try to remind myself that jewelry to some people is a bigger deal than I think of it.

I think that what you say about the ring overcompensating for the relationship is incredibly interesting. Could explain A LOT about the other families at my kids school...