<p><a href=“When It Comes To Marriage, The Bigger The Ring, The Higher The Risk Of Divorce - CBS Philadelphia”>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/10/10/when-it-comes-to-marriage-the-bigger-the-ring-the-higher-the-risk-of-divorce/</a></p>
<p>Why so judgey? OP didn’t say that her son was going to spend a year’s salary on a ring. They plan to get a ring - nothing wrong with that. The question was about types of stones to maintain an ethical stance not cost or the beauty of diamonds or colored stones in general. </p>
<p>“The problem with getting a certified conflict-free diamond is that she’ll have to spend a lot of time telling people it’s conflict-free.”</p>
<p>No, because no one with any class whatsoever is going to say anything other than “how exciting, congratulations on your engagement, I’m so happy for you.” Anyone who begins to inject their own personal values about conflict-free diamonds or how much a diamond “should” cost or how come men buy women rings but women don’t buy men rings is out of line, and isn’t owed an explanation of any sort. </p>
<p>"I’m with rhandco on the "what kind of ring is she getting him?“question.”</p>
<p>If they choose the “traditional” route where he gives her an engagement ring, but she doesn’t give him a ring til the wedding day (or at all), why is that anyone’s business? Why does she need to justify that to you or anyone else? </p>
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Affording it is one thing. Wasting that much money on it is another.</p>
<p>Why would it be a waste of money?</p>
<p>When my son and g/f looked at rings, he liked the sapphire. She wanted a diamond. I told son I would use his GM’s marquis 2.0 kt as a trade in. No one likes anything but round these days, it seems. All this points out is that the ring should be a joint decision.</p>
<p>XSalary is a colossal waste of money because a $25k rock isn’t going to convey 5X the sentimental value of a $5k trock. The Xsalary guideline is a de Beers marketing ploy to get consumers to open their wallets wide and go into debt.</p>
<p>I have a moissanite triple stone ring on which I get 5x more compliments than my real diamond ring. </p>
<p>Diamonds go with everything - they really do. Nothing is more dramatic and beautiful than a couture (Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef, Tiffany et al) larger diamond ring. The finest quality is gorgeous. Lower quality (below H in color and SI in clarity) large diamonds are usually poorly set and do look cheap and gaudy. Couture jewelers won’t touch low quality diamonds - they only set their own acquired stones, which are at least G color and VS2 clarity in addition to standards for the cut.</p>
<p>I have several colored stone rings - a blue sapphire, a ruby, pearl, and many semi-precious rings, but I only wear them when they coordinate with my outfit. Semi-precious stones and emeralds really do scratch, so if you wear them everyday, they will look worn after several years. I’ve never known anyone to scratch or shatter a diamond, although possible, it’s very unlikely. I scratched a beautiful and fine quality rubellite garnet ring years ago not realizing that it is delicate. </p>
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Who is talking about sentimental value! It is all about how it looks on a finger. :)</p>
<p>"XSalary is a colossal waste of money because a $25k rock isn’t going to convey 5X the sentimental value of a $5k trock. "</p>
<p>By the same token, it’s always a waste to buy a dozen roses because they don’t convey x times the sentimental value of the daisies from the grocery store. The value is really in the eye of the giver / receiver, not an observer. </p>
<p>Every single one of us spends money on things other people on this board consider a waste, and every single one of us on this board conserves money on things other people on this board consider silly to scrimp on.</p>
<p>My engagement ring is an emerald–because emeralds are much rarer than diamonds. I’ve worn it every day for 29 years.</p>
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<p>Completely agree. </p>
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<p>That’s sad, oldfort. Isn’t love enough? I hope my daughter doesn’t lose a great guy over his disposable income.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea to choose the ring together.</p>
<p>Sally, my son can have one of the diamonds that I inherited. I just think it is weird that his g/f does not have pierced ears and wears no jewelry. </p>
<p>I was quite surprised to discover that my future DIL has a naval piercing. NOT giving a diamond for that!</p>
<p>We have inherited/estate jewelry too–some of which is far more beautiful than gaudy solitaires that are just big for the sake of being big.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine not wearing any jewelry, but I can picture my son with someone like that too!</p>
<p>No, sometimes love isn’t enough. It’s a good foundation, but it takes a lot more to keep a relationship going. No, there is nothing sad about what my daughter wants vs what the guy is willing to give. They will encounter a lot of more those issues in life.</p>
<p>Well, I just hope both parties sign a prenup. </p>