Posted on 07/29/2006 8:31:52 PM PDT by se_ohio_young_conservative
Ok, I want to propose. I dont know how to go about a ring. I want something cheap but nice. She is the nicest, most understanding woman on the planet, but I dont want to look like a cheapskate. I am not that rich. going into my life savings for this. any freepers have any advice.
I would like to propose on Canadian thankgiving in Oct. She lives in Toronto. plan to be moved in with her by Christmas *smile*
Does it have to be a diamond?
I've always loved opals, and that's what my wedding ring is.
Opals are surprisingly affordable (but bad if she's hard on jewelry). Colored stones are another option.
I'm in agreement with your post.
With regard to the metal used, I know you want to save money and all, but 18 carat gold is the way to go. Absolutely nothing less than 14 carat.
This is interesting enough to warrant a separate thread, but since we're already here...
I think a lot of it comes down to experience, not just age. My husband and I managed to sow all the oats in our late teen years, so by the time we were 21 (we were both 21 when we got married) we were ready to settle down. Maybe not settle down, but move on to the next big adventure: Real Life Adulthood. We've been married 15 years now and it just keeps getting better.
I have a sister who married a man 12 years her senior. She's very grounded, kind of wise beyond her years, and he's a bit flighty, so in a sense they compliment each other well. Like my husband and I (me? lol) they share the same values and beliefs. Like us, they have been happily married. Seventeen years, I believe.
My brother married a gal 12 years his junior and it was a disaster. As much as my family would like to believe that their marriage fell apart because of his wife's immaturity, I think the fact that my brother is an honest-to-God pig had a lot to do with it. They didn't share values or beliefs. They shared a lack of values and beliefs. Nightmare.
NOT cynical here, about marriage. But don't live together first. It is really so different and it is a very rocky and uncommitted way to start. Even with a ring and a date. The vows change everything. Congrats! Marriage can be wonderful.
Hmmm, I think losing trust is worse for a marriage than selfishness.
LOLOLOL!!!
Got it in one. I have five siblings, my husband has two brothers, and among us there are/have been eight marriages. Three of the marriages are rock solid, and we're the conservatives. The divorces (three with a fourth in progress) have all been the uberlibs. Just a small sampling, but I see the same trend among pretty much all the married couples I know.
I didn't read all of the replies so sorry if there is repeat info here.
I agree that the first step is determining what your girl likes.
If she's a diamond girl, please go to www.bluenile.com. They are a wealth of info but they also carry many thousands of diamonds ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands. You can search for the perfect diamond by price, cut, clarity, color, etc.
A large stone on a tiny hand looks gaudy (IMO) while the reverse on a large hand looks bad too (IMO).
Consider the setting also. Perhaps she'd like a simple solitaire? Or maybe accent stones? Smooth yellow or white gold, or maybe etching or carving? Old style or contemporary?
If she's active then she will want a low profile setting that won't get in the way. If she's not accustomed to wearing rings then a smaller band would be better than a wider, heavier one that gets annoying after while.
The way the stone is cut (how deep, how wide, etc.) will influence how well it sparkles more than anything else. You'll also want to learn about polish and symmetry, which also influence how well it sparkles. Info on all of this is available on www.bluenile.com. Go educate yourself on diamonds there. Click on "diamonds" on the far left, then scroll down and click on "learn about diamonds".
My diamond came from Blue Nile. I bought it loose, then found a setting I liked at a local jeweler. I wear a size 5 (tiny) and my diamond is 1/2 carat but looks alot bigger on my little finger. Their diamonds are very reasonably priced also. Every jeweler who's seen my diamond has admitted that they could not come close in price and congratulated me on getting such a good deal on such a good stone. (Mine is only 1/2 carat but it is perfect in all respects.)
Congrats, and I hope you will both be very happy for the rest of your lives!
ROFLMAO!!
FYI honey...it's just a joke!!
Same here. I wasn't THINKING about it then. If this kid is ready though, more power to him.
Heh, heh, heh... that's sooooo cute. You are so cute when you're 20 FRIGGIN YEARS OLD!!!! SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SLAP YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD!!!! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR EVER-LOVING MIND?!!!
If she is that understanding then she will understand that you two are waaaaaay to young. It doesn't matter that the pioneers of our country got married when they were 12 years old. They also dealt with real life and survival from an early age instead of play Nintendo, watching MTV and hanging out at the mall after school. Live and experience life first, get your degree and a few years in the real world under your belt before you drag this poor girl down with you.
Sorry to pee on your cornflakes but somebody needs to shake some sense into you.
Yeah, it is but it's something you most definately won't be able to understand no matter how many times you are told for at LEAST 10 more years.
That aside, how close are you to Columbus? I have family that owns a couple jewelry stores(non chain) and they are reputable and honest and don't screw people over like many places will. Besides, you can get free advice.
Don't you just love how you can ask a question about getting a ring and have a bunch of know-it-alls tell you what you should really do with your life?
My advice, go look at rings and prices, get something you can afford, that you can still give with pride. A nice lady will accept because of how she feels about ~you~ not the ring :~)
Yeah, I thought parts of this thread look more like Dr Phil or Dr Laura...and in someparts...the Pat Robertson relationship hotline, (if such a thing existed)
I was just wanting advice on the the ring friends. LOL
Now THAT is classy..... heh heh
Dont freak me out. DONT SCARE ME. lol
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