3

8/29/2008 11:09:14 AM

Manhattan is totally safe

8/29/2008 11:10:51 AM

Quote :

"damn now I'm getting bullied into spending $3000 yeah I'll probably spend the time to work up a custom ring so what is 3 months salary when I make -$24,000 a year?"

Custom does NOT mean expensive.

Read the second paragraph under platinum here
http://www.tradeshop.com/idea/factory.shtml
Custom platinum ring complete with diamonds for under $2k.
If you don't want platinum or a diamond you can get away TONS cheaper. Easily under a grand depending on what you want. Would definitely not be that much to get a custom ring sort of like the yurman one only better and with a sapphire.

8/29/2008 11:13:36 AM

and Snewf...I'd always look at unique custom and/or antique engagement rings, but what I eventually fell in love with was a classic solitaire, emerald cut on a white gold band. nothing fancy, and it's absolutely perfect.

have you taken her to a jewelry store just to see what she likes? i had been voicing what I liked to Justin for awhile, but when we actually set foot in a store and i started trying on what i thought i would like, i hated the look of what I thought i wanted on my hand. I kept thinking, "this isn't as fun as I thought it was going to be." But then I tried on "the one", and when I did it was like a light came on and I finally felt that emotion and fluttery girly lovey feeling. It was cool.

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 11:16 AM. Reason : ]

8/29/2008 11:15:02 AM

hmmm yeah that sounds good

I only ever gave this girl jewelery once a long time ago and she lost it pretty quick

haven't given her anything since

but she's a grown-up now

^ no, I don't think that's for us - not for the engagement ring at least

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 11:17 AM. Reason : this is supposed to be a surprise]

8/29/2008 11:16:03 AM

righteo

8/29/2008 11:18:14 AM

I think that she doesn't believe that I am capable of such a commitment and she's not the kind to pressure me

I also think if I took her to a jeweler she would try to go for the most affordable because she is very practical and has always had to be careful with her money

me on the other hand, I'll go deep into debt just to make a point but I don't want to spend thousands on a ring because it is just an object - I would rather create an entire experience and set of memories

8/29/2008 11:29:12 AM

Quote :

"Three months pay is the general rule for how much you should spend."

There is no way in hell I'd pay 3 months' salary for a ring, that's more than my car cost...

I agree with ^, I'd much rather use the money to travel around and have some good memories and food.

8/29/2008 1:26:05 PM

Quote :

"There is no way in hell I'd pay 3 months' salary for a ring, that's more than my car cost..."

agreed

By like a factor of 8

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 1:31 PM. Reason : (actually I probably would, its obvious i didnt spend it on my car) lolz]

8/29/2008 1:30:24 PM

Snewf, why not give her the ring pop then let her help design the ring?

If she's got to wear it she deserves to be able to have some say in it. If you have no idea what she likes it's a recipe for disaster, or at least her having it redesigned in a couple years.

8/29/2008 1:40:31 PM

she won't hate it

I think I have decent taste... and I will consult with people that she respects

maybe I'll have some artist draw up a sketch or two and shop it around to those folks

8/29/2008 1:45:43 PM

engagement rings are a very big thing for girls to show off to other girls...

more importantly its stamping that tramp as off the market when she's not barefoot in the kitchen making you a sandwich like she should be... like when she has to make that beer run to the grocery store for you... I kid I kid,

But really, when I was doing the whole engagement ring thing in my head it didn't really make since to drop 3 months on it... but then the other party involved made some really good points and it is a sense of pride thing that you were able to give her something really nice that she can be proud of and show off to other girls... which I mean is juvenile but regardless it happens... the girls that say it doesn't matter are the ones who know they are going to get something less than stellar... I'm not saying 2 carat or anything absurd, but a really nice engagement ring is something she'll wear for the rest of her life(hopefully) and think about you every time she sees it... so don't have her thinking your a selfish inconsiderate bum every time she looks at her finger...

I should mention that it's very very much about the thought and I know my aunt has always been uber proud of the tiny diamond she has just because it means her and my uncle forever and that was the start of the forever...

that type of thought process is what the ring really means, not just "Lets get hitched here's a ring"

8/29/2008 1:51:34 PM

Quote :

"think about you every time she sees it... so don't have her thinking your a selfish inconsiderate bum every time she looks at her finger..."

I somewhat believe this but am not female. Who knows what they really think

8/29/2008 1:57:37 PM

I don't think that my partner is as materialistic or shallow as to think I'm a bum for being unable to afford a $5k ring

my mother's ring cost $10k but she didn't get it until they were able to afford it later

a $600-1200 ring could simply be considered a place-holder until we're in a different tax bracket but I think that my gf would also appreciate it if I donated the balance to a charity (like Doctors Without Borders) in her name

8/29/2008 2:27:22 PM

Quote :

"the other party involved made some really good points and it is a sense of pride thing that you were able to give her something really nice that she can be proud of and show off to other girls..."

This is when you need to ditch the bitch. size of ring != how much you love her. It is a symbol of your relationship.

A diamond is a symbol of a typical materialistic whore who was able to pussy whip a man. A different stone symbolizes something much more rare. Which is why if I got a ring with stones I'd want something much rarer and less well known than a diamond. Sadly mexican fire opal is not the hardest, so it'd probably end up as a necklace. I want to buy a LOTR replica ring in sterling when my boyfriend finally moves his ass down here and talks me into it.

8/29/2008 2:28:56 PM

I'm going to give her a uranium ring

8/29/2008 2:31:41 PM

zomg Nick is going to get engaged!

My gf and I spent some time in Tiffany's on 5th.... I really want to get her a 1.5 c near flawless but they alot. You can get them in the diamond district for chaper, maybe. Either way I have a lot of saving to do...

But yeah, diamond district ftw. Much cheaper, but just make sure you get the same quality (which you usually can).

[Edited on August 29, 2008 at 3:01 PM. Reason : ed]

8/29/2008 2:44:48 PM

my engagement ring will be a nuvaring

8/29/2008 2:46:00 PM

OMG, black tungsten one ring.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TUNGSTEN-CARBIDE-ONE-RING-LORD-OF-THE-RINGS-LOTR-BLACK_W0QQitemZ320284891675QQihZ011QQcategoryZ92920QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem?refid=store

Also look at some of the Ti and tungsten tension settings. You can have a different stone put in them. Pretty unique and different, not that expensive, can not be resized but if you know her ring size and are planning on replacing it later not a big deal.

Boone Ti rings has some sweet stuff.

8/29/2008 2:48:46 PM

you didnt srsly just link a lotr ring did you

8/29/2008 2:49:39 PM

hey I didn't say I was gonna get engaged

at least not any time soon

but maybe in the not too distant future
a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away

8/29/2008 2:51:25 PM

Oh yes I did.

Seriously, will post pics when/if the boy toy talks me into it. Hope I can get them to make me a slightly narrower version of that one ring. Will be funny posting pics of LOTR ring.

8/29/2008 2:52:11 PM

^^^ The type of person who wants a LOTR engagement ring is also the sort who has this kind of wedding:

8/29/2008 10:20:06 PM

NO. FUCKING. WAY.

My boyfriend wants something tacky like getting married by Elvis in Vegas or star wars theme or some shit, but I'm not letting that happen.

At the Mt. Olive pickle festival might be fun though.

8/29/2008 10:43:16 PM

Quote :

"A diamond is a symbol of a typical materialistic whore who was able to pussy whip a man. A different stone symbolizes something much more rare. Which is why if I got a ring with stones I'd want something much rarer and less well known than a diamond. Sadly mexican fire opal is not the hardest, so it'd probably end up as a necklace. I want to buy a LOTR replica ring in sterling when my boyfriend finally moves his ass down here and talks me into it."

mexican opal is not really rare at all. you should go with something else especially with the hardness factor. why did you choose m. opal? the orange, the color play? if you want something really rare go for bixbite, alexandrite, or benitoite.

8/30/2008 1:28:02 PM

So is it supposed to be 3 months salary gross or net, I mean there's big difference between before taxes, health insurance, 401(k), etc. and after all that shit?

8/30/2008 1:36:13 PM

Not that rare, but a really nice one is. I just like the color and name of fire opal is all.

Also, finding enough matching benitoite for a graduated 1/3 or 1/2 eternity ring could be really hard.

Would probably end up going with tsavorite. My birthstone and the boyfriend likes green.

8/30/2008 1:41:27 PM