I just wanted to say thanks...

Zaphod
Sat, 19 Aug 2006 19:18:46 +0000

Listen Zaphod, I truly didn’t mean to offend anybody with the ring joke… I hope none was taken.



Are you kidding?

We’re among family here, dude. I’ve seen REAL comments MEANT to be offensive, and yours didn’t come close. No foul at this end. :)

Besides. AS IF!! :D



I don’t know what you paid for yours (besides the blood, sweat and tears over the 4 years) but my son’s was $1500.

I paid approximately $1,200. Mine is 14K gold, closed back, with a natural amathyst for the main stone and two diamond bezel dividers. The only extras I ordered were the diamonds, my name engraved on the inside, and a sculpted palmside. The price included a small wood display box which I still have.

My Dad paid for it. His quote was, “Are you kidding? After all you’ve been through, and after what you saved us, you think I can’t buy you YOUR RING?” followed by a typically-Cuban expression that sadly has no accurate translation. ;)

I know guys who spent over $2,000 on theirs because they loaded them with diamonds or stones of some sort. One thing I never liked was the “nipple” stones, where the stone does not generally follow the curve of the ring, but sticks out like, well, a nipple. Quite a few of those with star saphires and such. Mine was rather boring, all told. I wanted an Aquamarine, but got my birthstone instead. When I have my ring redone (after September), I’m going to have them redo it with the aquamarine, and have them send me the stone back. I may even have them make another alloy ring to put it in to give to my dad. Knowing him, he’d wear it around his neck with my mom’s wedding band (Mom passed in 1997).

One thing that is somewhat popular is to take a small hunk out of a granite wall in Bancroft and have them make the ring with that (polished, of course). Definitely a conversation piece. If you see me walking around the Yard with a hammer, keep an eye out for the Jimmylegs. ;)

Never heard the term “battle ring” before.



By the way, were you a SWO?

Correct.

USS DALE (CG-19): 1991-1994, EWO, GMO, ADMINO
USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG-51): 1994-1995, Navigator/ADMINO