Yes. The only modern reason for a costly ring is bragging rights... spend it on a house downpayment instead. Go to local craftsman and have 1-of-a-kind ring made for comparatively few bucks.

I agree with the specificity of a diamond, but certainly a wedding ring should be high quality and durable for the decades to come. Cubic zirconia and sterling silver will not hold up.

I didnt care how much my guy spent on my ring, but what I did care about was that it was something I could wear forever, meaning it's comfortable, I like it, and it will last a long time. I wouldn't care if he spent one dollar on it. But on the other hand, if he was constantly spending our money on himself and not on the *one* thing that is supposed to be a symbol of our undying love, then yes that would be an issue.

Unless she'd pay the equal amount for a ring to 'prove' his worth and show he's taken, then this is an antiquated (outdated tradition) for this day. Why is it that a woman wears a ring but a man is trusted to be honest about his status? Maybe it could turn into a way to show that you made it 25 years of married bliss? Most couples can afford a better ring by then too. I have the set my grandfather gave my grandmother for their 25th anniversary, married greater than 50 years too (but no other ring tho, hee hee) My mom gave my dad a great ring after they were married more than 25 years-- but that was because it was worn down , it was razor thin!

I think it was more because as “tradition” goes, the bride’s family used to pay for the whole wedding, so the man spending money on the engagement ring balanced it out.

Agree

It used to be a certain percentage of their monthly salary. I don't get it - you're about to spend a truckload on a wedding - and if she is already complaining about "cheap", that's a red flag right there.

Yeah, all you're paying for with diamonds is de Beers marketing. But you should discuss that between yourselves.

I remember that one, too. I think the focus of this article is the line about how the fiancé spends a lot of money on himself on expensive things, but isn’t giving any thought or money towards his future wife’s ring. I think she starting to see red flags 🚩 but is second guessing herself.

With this one, it isn't just how much it cost, it's also that it didn't fit, it didn't look nice, and the fiancee doesn't seem to care.

I think this is a combo of things cubic zicron.. is costume jewelry. Like.. the kind you buy for little kids or for a play.. Its.. not even its cheap, its dollar store cheap, and he said he would get it resized, which you can't do with that kind of ring unless you send it to a jeweler, itll cost more money to do that then the ring itself due to no warranty ofc he hasn't done that either, and has realized the fact that is too expensive. its a kids ring more or less.. and he won't even bother with getting it properly size. You dont need to spend thousands of dollars or something on a ring.. but like be upfront about it and get the right size yiu know?... and.don't spend equivalent money on yourself either... he spends lavishely for himself apperantly

Are lab grown diamonds really that bad? Plus you don't support either the blood diamond trade or DeBeers

I think the issue here is that he bought a garbage ring, rather than the amount he spent. CZ can range from very diamond-like to glass-like. Even the silver band can be c**p depending on the thickness and finish. If he didn't want to get a diamond (I'm not a fan; my engagement ring was an emerald), he should have discussed that with her beforehand; maybe she would have preferred a different stone. If he didn't want to spend a lot on her ring, that's fine depending on his reason (if the ring represents how he views her or the relationship, this isn't a good sign). He could have found an inexpensive CZ ring that was good quality and beautiful, but he didn't. They need to have an honest conversation.

I think the difference is that zirconia is something that is commonly used in casual jewelry and a ring like that can cost only a little over 10 euro, and the fiancé spends a lot of money on himself. I'm a bit confused as to why she cares enough to look it up if she doesn't really wear it anyways.

Sterling (925) silver is quite soft and not as durable as gold (or platinum). A silver ring isn't going to last for decades as an engagement ring (in theory) ought to.

Yeah, that chick got totally shut down and schooled on how real diamonds come to market. TBF, I walked into this expecting to hate but ESH - her for her "cheap" comment, him for not at least sorting out the resizing.

lab grown diamonds are much much much more ethical, what was her problem?

Lab grown diamonds is the middle way between silver and cubic zirkonia and the real flashy diamond thing. I think it's the best thing ever .

She mentioned the ring doesn't fit and hasn't had any word back from the guy that it would be fixed- after he said he would. Also, cheap rings dont have to look cheap. It sounds like he got something tacky-looking, didn't even bother finding out her ring size, then doesn't really care if it fits or not. All of that when she knows he spends a lot on himself. That's a red flag. My fiance and l talked and planned out my ring ahead of time. I got to design a whole new band for his mom's old ring. All he had to pay for was the labor to pop the stone onto the new band. About $100. And I did offer to pay half but he didn't mind. I am however, going to buy my own wedding band. Good couples talk about this. It sounds like they didn't. Another red flag. Like, does he even want to marry her? How well do they actually know each other, like someone else asked? Yeesh.