<p>^ We had matching wedding bands until we went to the Warren Dunes in MI and DH lost his is the sand. We had been married about 11 years at the time and DH felt awful about it. Funny thing is on the drive back home I started to feel sick and realized I was pregnant. </p>
<p>We replaced his ring but couldn’t find an exact match.</p>
<p>So…here’s what I’m reading…
If you “only” have sons who gets the jewelry? That depends on w</p>
<p>I “only” have a son, but I’m desperately hoping that by that time he will have presented me with a grand daughter! ;)</p>
<p>^ At least you can hope that. In my case my FIL “only” had sons. DH and his brothers “only” had sons. I’m thinking the odds of me having a granddaughter are slim. ;
</p>
<p>Who gets the jewelry? Simple…daughters and/or sons. If one “only” has sons the jewelry goes to the son. He may choose to give it to his wife…or loan it to his wife or give the jewelry to the grand daughters.</p>
<p>For the PC Police among us: (not limited to people on this board): Does anyone really ask if someone is wearing blood diamond? I have only heard…it’s beautiful, congratulations, he is a lucky guy. Seriously? Perhaps there are cabals out there who check out the heritage of diamonds. They have FAR too much time on their hands. If the bride wants a non blood diamond…good…get it. But don’t feel that the bride owes an explanation to ANYONE. </p>
<p>I do find it amusing that so many posters here have to validate how they do or don’t get bigger diamonds, or upgrades. If one chooses a bigger diamond…terrific. If one doesn’t…terrific. I see absolutely nothing wrong (obviously) with upgrades. But I love the "oh my ring is so old…or fragile…or it wasn’t important to them. Good, form your own sorority. But don’t criticize those of us who (with our spouses) want bigger and nicer.</p>
<p>As to my initial comment of “run” simply because a future bride wants a big diamond and won’t get engaged until they have one. Also included by others that the husband drops his wife off so she doesn’t have to walk with him…Let’s do the flip: My daughter’s husband is such a spoiled brat: He won’t get engaged until he gets his Piaget watch as a groom’s present. My daughter has to wait on him…not just when he’s ill. She doesn’t make enough money and the husband is so disappointed in her…</p>
<p>Run? Or would you be ok?</p>
<p>We are all different. But here we seem to have the snark attack. Example: I love going camping. Posters jump for joy as to where to go…parks that they have seen and loved…When others (and yes, I’m included) that we are not interested in camping, and backpacking we are told that we arn’ti entitled to our differences. You are correct. There is only one way. </p>
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<p>IMO, your D may want to consider running as far away from him as possible or better yet, launching him into high orbit and getting comped by NASA for her troubles. :D</p>
<p>Adding diamonds to my ever-growing list of CC topics on which it is apparently impossible for people to agree to disagree.</p>
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<p>My DH tells people that his wife’s idea of camping is staying at the Holiday Inn. 
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<p>Count me in as someone who is not into camping. </p>
<p>@bevhills:
Maybe your H should have run because you are too much of a princess (queen).</p>
<p>Cobrat: What I said there was in theory…only. Part of this thread was about the “duties” of a man vis a vie the woman. Not both ways. The run? They don’t have to…they seem to have excellent taste. It seems that I insulted a mother or two.</p>
<p>We went to the mountains…once. We were 6 families all of whom rented condos. We brought our dog…and our housekeeper. It was…interesting.</p>
<p>Where did the housekeeper sleep? With the dog?</p>
<p>I love my ring, it has grown over the years. H gave me a 1/2 carat solitaire as an engagement ring. I opted for an inexpensive ring wrap for the wedding band portion. For our 10 year anniversary we had the solitaire reset and added two appropriately sized trillium cut diamonds to the band. This sat in a simple ring wrap. For our 20th anniversary we added 20 small diamonds to the ring wrap, 10 on each side. I have rather small hands and this ring is perfect. It’s also a constant reminder of the growth and change we as a couple have undergone as a couple. I never want to upgrade the original stone.</p>
<p>For our 25 anniversary we are taking an extended cruise…no additions to the ring.</p>
<p>We had a ring made for D which incorporated a ruby (her birthstone) with my original ring wrap. She loves it.</p>
<p>This thread has made me gaze down at my ring, consider deep thoughts, and then muse…</p>
<p>“Man, I do love mah big-asssss ring!!!” </p>
<p>:p</p>
<p>Wow this thread really has disintegrated. How about we all play nice.</p>
<p>It reinforces the decision, made in my 20s, to forgo diamonds. Too much cultural subtext. Headachey making.</p>
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<p>I finally realized what is both the allure and the repulsion of this site–to me, at least. We all arrive here because of a single shared interest (having kids approaching/in/just out of college) but then we can’t “self-select” into smaller groups of virtual affinity groups. There are a lot of people here I have nothing in common with, and whose values are radically different from mine (i.e., those who embrace what I would consider vulgar displays of wealth), but yet we are all forced to “hang out” together indefinitely. It makes for an interesting experience, to say the least.</p>
<p>“vulgar display of wealth”</p>
<p>if that isn’t in the eye of the beholder, I don’t know what is : )</p>
<p>one of my brothers-in-law considers cloth napkins a vulgar display of wealth and really hoity-toity. The rest of us never gave it a thought. Collision of universes. </p>
<p>who wants to debate paper products on the table? that would really be interesting to me. really.</p>
<p>^ It depends on the occasion whether I use paper or cloth. Can I be in both groups? </p>
<p>Wow–where I live it’s disposable things (napkins, diapers) that are considered vulgar and wasteful. Very true that “the eye of the beholder” varies a lot from person to person and place to place. </p>
<p>Actually, many of us like the range of ideas expressed in this site, as long as folks don’t make personal attacks. Really, can’t we have pleasant discussion and respect diverse viewpoints, as many of us have taught our kids to do? I think it’s an important life lesson and allows me to have friendships with baby who have radically different viewpoints from mine. </p>
<p>I like to agree to disagree without any of us putting another down due to differences. Personal attacks are just pointlessly mean and shut down discussions. </p>