I don't wear a ring - I wear a collar - looks like a velvet necklace with a pendant. It's a symbol of being owned.

I really think you need to know the recipient to get to the right answer here. Does your girlfriend seem to notice other women's rings, and does she comment on size or style? Is she into jewelry and fashion and owning things that make a "statement"? Is she a hippie or a bleeding heard humanitarian?

I myself am not "into" jewelry. I like it, have opinions abotu it, but do not spend a lot of money on accessories and I don't like them to get in my way. My husband bought me a beautiful antique ring with unique engraving details and one diamond in a square setting. It is perfect for me and I love that he knows me enough to have picked it out.

sapphire with vintage setting (which I have), or 1 carat lab diamond (not cz, just lab grown, they are more beautiful anyway if you're into diamonds).

Anonymous wrote:Carats



at this point in my life I might take a 1CT + fake over a real 1/2 carat stone

Me too. If I were to get remarried for any reason I would probably just get lab created diamonds, big ones, in a wedding band that I can wear all the time. I'd skip the engagement ring altogether. But if I were smart the only time I did get married, when I did really want the ring on while we were engaged, I'd have gone for a 2 carat lab created stone. It would look beautiful and at the size I'd truly love, without having to spend the absurd money I can't stomach.