13 ms·

Diamond alternatives are fine, but another option is just not getting a ring. My wife and I decided not to and nobody really cares. We spent the money on travel

by paulgb 6y ago

Diamond alternatives are fine, but another option is just not getting a ring. My wife and I decided not to and nobody really cares. We spent the money on travel instead, and the memories are more valuable to us than a tiny rock. Don’t get me wrong, diamonds and other gems are beautiful and if you want one, go for it. But if it’s not something that is worth $5-10k to you, just know that it’s a choice, not an obligation.

blacktriangle 6y ago
Or just don't blow a ton on rings? My wife and I spent roughly $200 each on rings. Or even just buy some of those silicon rings that are roughly $50. I really like wearing a wedding ring, but not being attached to any one ring that I'm worried about losing or damaging is nice too. Also like you say gems other than diamonds are nice. I'm seeing many more engagement rings recently that are opting for different stones as well.
- thedanbob 6y ago
  I splurged a bit on my wife's rings but absolutely didn't care about mine. I have two $30 tungsten carbide rings from Amazon, one I wear daily and a nicer one for special occasions.
- intrasight 6y ago
  Is women giving men an engagement ring a new thing? I got my wife (30 years ago) a ring with two opals and a center sapphire - custom made by a local jeweler. It makes diamond rings look pretty boring.
  - eqvinox 6y ago
    As an unmarried mid-30 male, I absolutely plan on getting myself a nice jeweled ring. I like shiny things ;). I also like weird rare metals (seems to be a common thing among the HN crowd), my current favorite is Rhenium, but I'm wary of medical considerations (the "can't get it off in an emergency" kind, not the allergy kind.) It does seem to be a generational difference to some degree. FWIW I just don't give a f*ck anymore about conventions. P.S.: Absolutely agree on plain diamond rings being boring & giving it a personal touch. I mean, how is a diamond ring special to our relationship?
  - ycombinete 6y ago
    I assumed that your parent was talking about wedding rings
NortySpock 6y ago
There's also the "cheaper ring" option -- my wife's ring was under $200 for sterling silver and a semi-precious stone, and I assume mine was a similar price (she bought it) for a simple engraved ring in 92.5% sterling silver. It's simple, not flashy, my wife loves the design, and it's easy to have it adjusted by any jeweler. No need to break the bank for something that's more about symbolism than money. EDIT: Wife's ring was from Moonkist Designs on Etsy if you're looking for a place to start.
nonotreally 6y ago
I'm in the don't buy a ring club and it has never come up in social situations. No one cares about your stuff as much as you do.
- lotr 6y ago
  Of course it comes up in social situations. If I'm interested in a girl and she has a ring on her left ring finger, I drop it. It's literally the first thing I check; it's basic etiquette.
  - c22 6y ago
    Lol, my partner and I don't wear rings, but if you're interested in her she'll let you know to drop it.
    - paulgb 6y ago
      Exactly, there are lots of social cues at play in these situations besides a ring. It’s no different than the way someone who is unmarried but in a committed relationship lets people know not to bother.
    - lotr 6y ago
      This is tedious for someone receiving frequent attention.
c22 6y ago
I have some friends who got their wedding "rings" tattooed onto their ring fingers. I loved the concept, I have no tattoos to date, but this is one I would consider getting.
- curryst 6y ago
  I would nope right out of that one. Relationships change; rings can change, but tattoos do not. Nobody wants a constant reminder of a failed relationship, and I would imagine that your new SO wouldn't be super thrilled to be constantly reminded of your ex. Plus what do you do if you get re-married? Tattoo another ring on? Wear an actual ring over the tattooed ring?
  - rini17 6y ago
    Black out whole finger :D
  - c22 6y ago
    Those properties are also what makes it such a good indicator of commitment, and of course it has the added benefit of not getting caught in machinery. I made a personal rule early in life never to marry someone I hadn't successfully lived with for 5 years prior and it's worked out well for me so far.
    - blaser-waffle 6y ago
      > and of course it has the added benefit of not getting caught in machinery. They make safety gloves for that reason. And silicone rings too.
      - c22 6y ago
        Of course there are types of machinery where "safety gloves" are in fact detrimental to safe operation...[0] [0] http://files.hria.org/files/OH4433.pdf http://files.hria.org/files/OH4433.pdf
bookofjoe 6y ago
>Coinbase Employees Exchange NFT Rings in Wedding Ceremony https://decrypt.co/63906/coinbase-employees-exchange-nft-rings-in-wedding-ceremony https://decrypt.co/63906/coinbase-employees-exchange-nft-rin...

by paulgb 6y ago

blacktriangle 6y ago

Or just don't blow a ton on rings? My wife and I spent roughly $200 each on rings. Or even just buy some of those silicon rings that are roughly $50. I really like wearing a wedding ring, but not being attached to any one ring that I'm worried about losing or damaging is nice too. Also like you say gems other than diamonds are nice. I'm seeing many more engagement rings recently that are opting for different stones as well.

thedanbob 6y ago
I splurged a bit on my wife's rings but absolutely didn't care about mine. I have two $30 tungsten carbide rings from Amazon, one I wear daily and a nicer one for special occasions.
intrasight 6y ago
Is women giving men an engagement ring a new thing? I got my wife (30 years ago) a ring with two opals and a center sapphire - custom made by a local jeweler. It makes diamond rings look pretty boring.
- eqvinox 6y ago
  As an unmarried mid-30 male, I absolutely plan on getting myself a nice jeweled ring. I like shiny things ;). I also like weird rare metals (seems to be a common thing among the HN crowd), my current favorite is Rhenium, but I'm wary of medical considerations (the "can't get it off in an emergency" kind, not the allergy kind.) It does seem to be a generational difference to some degree. FWIW I just don't give a f*ck anymore about conventions. P.S.: Absolutely agree on plain diamond rings being boring & giving it a personal touch. I mean, how is a diamond ring special to our relationship?
- ycombinete 6y ago
  I assumed that your parent was talking about wedding rings

NortySpock 6y ago

There's also the "cheaper ring" option -- my wife's ring was under $200 for sterling silver and a semi-precious stone, and I assume mine was a similar price (she bought it) for a simple engraved ring in 92.5% sterling silver. It's simple, not flashy, my wife loves the design, and it's easy to have it adjusted by any jeweler. No need to break the bank for something that's more about symbolism than money. EDIT: Wife's ring was from Moonkist Designs on Etsy if you're looking for a place to start.

nonotreally 6y ago

I'm in the don't buy a ring club and it has never come up in social situations. No one cares about your stuff as much as you do.

lotr 6y ago
Of course it comes up in social situations. If I'm interested in a girl and she has a ring on her left ring finger, I drop it. It's literally the first thing I check; it's basic etiquette.
- c22 6y ago
  Lol, my partner and I don't wear rings, but if you're interested in her she'll let you know to drop it.
  - paulgb 6y ago
    Exactly, there are lots of social cues at play in these situations besides a ring. It’s no different than the way someone who is unmarried but in a committed relationship lets people know not to bother.
  - lotr 6y ago
    This is tedious for someone receiving frequent attention.

c22 6y ago

I have some friends who got their wedding "rings" tattooed onto their ring fingers. I loved the concept, I have no tattoos to date, but this is one I would consider getting.

curryst 6y ago
I would nope right out of that one. Relationships change; rings can change, but tattoos do not. Nobody wants a constant reminder of a failed relationship, and I would imagine that your new SO wouldn't be super thrilled to be constantly reminded of your ex. Plus what do you do if you get re-married? Tattoo another ring on? Wear an actual ring over the tattooed ring?
- rini17 6y ago
  Black out whole finger :D
- c22 6y ago
  Those properties are also what makes it such a good indicator of commitment, and of course it has the added benefit of not getting caught in machinery. I made a personal rule early in life never to marry someone I hadn't successfully lived with for 5 years prior and it's worked out well for me so far.
  - blaser-waffle 6y ago
    > and of course it has the added benefit of not getting caught in machinery. They make safety gloves for that reason. And silicone rings too.
    - c22 6y ago
      Of course there are types of machinery where "safety gloves" are in fact detrimental to safe operation...[0] [0] http://files.hria.org/files/OH4433.pdf http://files.hria.org/files/OH4433.pdf

bookofjoe 6y ago

>Coinbase Employees Exchange NFT Rings in Wedding Ceremony https://decrypt.co/63906/coinbase-employees-exchange-nft-rings-in-wedding-ceremony https://decrypt.co/63906/coinbase-employees-exchange-nft-rin...