engagement and the ring

[jp_2031]

Hi -
I am a full time student, all i get is the government bursary; i have no other income. (believe me, im job hunting like crazy) But anyway, i really want to propose to my girlfriend; we have been talking about it for ages, the problem is, i cant afford an expensive ring! £100 is like my limit...
I've seen a nice ring in H Samual for £70, white gold but cubic zerconian stone

Should i wait till i can afford a more expensive ring?
She says that she wouldnt mind if i proposed to her with a gummy ring; but my friends all disagree and say that the ring does matter, i should wait. They also say im proposing too soon to her, because im at uni - i should wait till im finished with uni (3 more years)
Any advice is appreciated
Thanks
Jp

[Sachs]

Hi jp,
what you spend on the ring is irrelevant, it's what's in your heart.Follow your heart. You could always replace the ring in time :0)

[milliezoe]

Just get on with it I did a similar thing 39 years ago and she still loves me I think and never a cross word in 39 years of marriage !!!!!!!!!

[redcrx]

the ring isnt important really, its the meaning behind it.
Check with independant jewellers as well as these high street stores. Maybe you could buy a cheap band but one thats able to take a real diamond in the future when you have the money.

[ummmm]

I don't think it matters. My boyfriend proposed and didn't even have a ring. I wouldn't care how much he spent.

You don't have to get married straight after you propose....not like you'd be able to afford to.

[Sachs]

Can we all hide behind something & watch when you propose? ;0) x

[LoftyLottie]

You really don't need a ring. I am still waiting, 38 years later. It's up to you when you propose, not your friends. Engagements and weddings needn't cost very much at all. It's what is in your heart that counts. I can never understand why people say it costs a lot to get married. It doesn't. It's weddings that cost a lot. I am sure if you want to get her a ring, she will be pleased with anything you choose!

Good luck to you both.

[Sachs]

& ................ whoosh ..... he's off to H. Samuels :0)

[jp_2031]

Thanks all :)
sorry, im at Uni right now was in a seminar haha.

[Sachs]

What you gonna do then eh? eh .... eh ... eh??? We're all waiting you know! lol!

[LoftyLottie]

Your mind was elsewhere though! ;o)

[Sachs]

I clean at Manchester Uni jp! You students are very untidy!! :0)

[Seadragon]

People have different views and my view is this:

Personally I think the ring does matter. It is all romantic in the future to reminisce about how you bought a cheap engagement ring because that was all your financial predicament allowed at the time but I think it is more romantic to buy a cheap 'committment ring' if you are so determined, with the promise of a proper engagement ring at another time. (Preferably not being a H Samuel one)

[LoftyLottie]

Obviously then Seadragon our finances have never been good enough for me to have any engagement ring let alone a 'proper' one. I don't understand what you mean by a proper one actually. Surely, as long as both parties like the ring it doesn't matter a jot whether it came from the Pound Shop of Hatton Gardens?

As you say, we all have different thoughts on this though. I actually don't like standard diamond rings at all and wouldn't wear one under any circumstances.

[LoftyLottie]

Should have said 'or' Hatton Gardens!

[Sachs]

At the end of the day all jp & his lady want to do is show their commitment publicly & I'm sure the ring he has chosen will be lovingly accepted! x

[Seadragon]

I'm sure the ring will be accepted well. I'm just saying that whatever ring he gives as the 'engagement' ring is the one that leaves an impression. There is no going back and changing it in the future, he may give her another in the future but the first one is the one engraved in her heart. I say 'proper' because I would want to eventually hand the ring down and for that, it has to have substance?

[LoftyLottie]

I agree redhelen. I never even considered having a ring. We had no money and I didn't want one anyway. I actually have some very expensive rings passed down to me and never wear them. Just can't get sell them for sentimental reasons. Mr LL did buy me a really nice white and gold silver ring a couple of Christmas's ago though. Very plain but just what I like.

[LoftyLottie]

But seadragon even if the rings that have been handed down to me were worth very little, they would still mean the same to me. I can't understand why they would have to be expensive.

Still, we are all different. I just have never hankered after the expensive things in life!