Re: SURVEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I want it to be a total surprise as well: ring and everything...

My only thing is when there's a man who may propose with a relative's ring (for example, he was given his grandma's ring to give to his fiancee). I don't know how I'd take that...I really, REALLY don't wanna sound shallow, but I don't want someone else's ring...I think...I don't know...

OK, Hootie (and whoever else wants to listen), here is my theory:

In NYC the cost of living is much higher than many other areas. However, people also make more money. For example, the job I work now would probably pay me half of what I am making if I was in Michigan. So, a 1 carat diamond in most towns is XX amount of dollars. In NYC, XX is equal to one weeks pay, in Kalamazoo, MI, XX is equal to 3 weeks to a month's pay. So when looking at rings men in NYC can say, "Oh, that's only __% of my salary" but in other areas it would be a greater percentage. Does that make any sense at all? It does in my head!!! :p

My first fiance picked out the ring when I was standing there. It was not what I wanted at all. Hence, why he is not current fiance. :p

Mr. Mox was my best friend before boyfriend and fiance. He heard me bitch about the 1st F's ring enough times to know what I wanted. 2 years later, I got just what I'd always dreamed of having on my finger!

I have no clue how many carats it is, but it is a nice size for my finger. It's a marquise diamond with a white gold setting and band. On either side of the big diamond, there is a cluster of three smaller ones in a sideways triangle shape. Ok, that used no technical jewelry terms, but you get the idea. :)

One of my dearest friends became engaged over the summer. Her now fiance and their best friend (also a sister) went shopping together. She got a 1/3 carat and it is the perfect size for her hands and looks stunning. He opted for a "Hearts on Fire" which is one of the supposed "perfect" cut diamonds. And honestly next to any other sisters rings, her's sparkles like no other.

I think it's the love in the relationship which makes a marrage work, not the size of the ring. And I think that actions speak for words that he tried to find her a "perfect" ring. I just think it's so sweet of him. FYI he also got her the matching "perfect" earings for Valentines Day! :)

I personally would like a 1 carat, but I would be happy with anything from someone I loved enough to spend the rest of my life with.

Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with engagement rings -- I've always sworn I'd never wear one once I got my wedding band (I despise sets) so it always seemed kind of wasteful.

But what girl doesn't want someting icy and flashy and amazing?

I recently found a gorgeous white gold and aquamarine ring at an online antique jewelry store -- I think when the time comes I'm going to point my boy in that direction instead of the diamonds. That way we can save up to get amazing platinum wedding bands and I can put the pretty little sparkler away without feeling guilty that I'm letting all that investment rot in my jewelry box.

But that's just my 2 carats -- I mean cents. ;)

Greekgrrl

1.47 carats, baby!

But, I"m much more excited about the boy I'm getting...the ring is just an extra!