You're one of those people that is like "Tiffany 4 lyfe!" right? My SO wants a 1.5 carat Tiffany Diamond ring. Thats about 15K. If I got it elsewhere? 10-11K. But no, it *has* to be this that and that other thing. Sometimes I wonder what exactly is going through girls' heads.

Not at all. My ex got mine from an adorable little family owned jeweler. Im actually pretty simple. Im no good with flashy or name brands. Actually, the place where my brother went was family owned by a family in our church. They actually gave him a big discount. Id never have a problem with where a guy got the ring. as long as he got one and was thinking about what I would like when he did. :) Your SO is being spoiled, lol. My sister would totally do that, though!

I think the high percentage of people saying they don't care about a ring has a direct correlation to the younger age of the posters...I'm willing to bet a good handful of them are under 18. I think it's okay to spend a lot on a ring, if you can afford it and it's something you want. Mine wasn't very expensive, but it was the only ring I loved and I plan to wear it every day of my life!

There's nothing wrong with wanting a ring when getting engaged. However, what everyone's arguing against is ending an engagement because she didn't get a ring. Yes, I agree that getting a beautiful expensive diamond engagement ring will make me extremely happy, but not getting one is definitely not one of my reasons for saying no to someone I love and truly want to marry. That's when it becomes entirely based on materialism.

I agree, there's nothing wrong with wanting an engagement ring. However the cost is irrelevant and your post proves that. I would never trade the $200 ring that I got married with for an $8K ring that, while beautiful, meant nothing and was an empty promise.

There's nothing so wrong with wanting a ring, but making such a big deal that she considers herself no longer engaged because he cannot afford the ring?

Oh, I agree. She shouldn't suddenly be "not engaged" now. I was just commenting on how many people are saying, "I don't need a ring. Our love is all that matters," or something like that. People are acting like it's ridiculous to even want a ring. Like it's materialistic to want a solid show of an engagement/marriage. Whereas my ex was a douchebag and that 8k ring was nothing, so were the reasons he proposed. So was how he proposed. He put very little effort into picking it and very little effort into all of it. I loved him, so I loved the ring. I didn't love it enough that I tried to keep it, though. It meant so little by that point that I wasn't even upset about giving it back.

I disagree, gothymama. I think that (blood diamond issue aside, as you can use "recycled" or re-sold diamonds) having a diamond ring as an engagement symbol is a legitimate part of our culture, and as such, if someone wants one, they shouldn't be made to feel it's materialistic. Peoples' values differ, no doubt, but established traditions have a place in society, and honoring them when they don't hurt anyone should be respected. Also, for most cultures around the world, making grand gestures is a way to show love. You're right in saying that they shouldn't "need" that symbol, but we live in the first world and probably 90% of the things we own are things we don't actually need. Just my two cents. :)

I completely agree wordgirl. If you don't want a ring, don't ask for one. But don't rip on other people for wanting one. Yeah it's pretty shitty to demand a 10,000$ ring from someone who can't afford it, but wanting something that will last a long time that will remind you of a special moment isn't neccessarily materialistic. And if you're going to be wearing it for the rest of your life, it does help that you like it.