Engagement ring...can it be replaced?

Question

Ok my boyfriend and I are both young with little money. He plans on proposing but is kind off upset because he doesn't have a lot of money to spend on the ring. It will be a long engagement so he's thinking about getting another ring to replace it later on. I think it means a lot to keep the original it has more meaning. Is that selfish? Or is there anyway to wear both? Also right now I think the marriage means more than a price of a ring...will I care years later?

Answer 1

I purchased a 1 carat Diamond ring for my wife costing me $4,700.00 and believe me when I say this...it's not big enough.

How big was it you ask?

It was big enough that she lost it. Were still married and she does not have a wedding band on because it doesn't mean a thing. I love her and thats all that matters, but she won't see me buy another ring like that again. I bought a Bass boat instead:)

Answer 2

Okay here's the deal...he can get you a promise ring now then an engagement ring later if he wants to get you something nicer down the road. that way it's not like you have two engagement rings. Secondly, your aiming for a long engagement. so why do you need a ring now? Once you have that ring on, everyone will ask you when the wedding is and alot of people look down on long engagements. And if your worried that in a few years you'll care more about the price of the ring than you do the wedding then maybe you should think about why you're getting married. No one should be asking how much your ring costs. If they do, they are shallow.

Answer 3

Honey, if your fiancé cares enough to want to buy you a larger, better ring later on then you've got a keeper right there.

Congratulations!!!

Yes, you probably will care when others will be comparing the size of the ring they have to yours and yours may seem lacking.

My best advice to you is three-fold.

1. Tell your fiancé to get the best quality diamond that he can regardless of size.

That way when you both have money you can have the original diamond incorporated into say, a diamond cluster ring.

2. Go for perhaps a promissory ring with a different center stone.

A high grade amethyst, sapphire or other stone with a small diamond cluster around it is always nifty.

That way you can have a large quality stone (like Princess Diana's engagement ring) that is still impressive.

Then, later he can get you a nice diamond ring.

3. Go to a reputable shop that sells antique jewelry.

You will pay a lot less than retail and will probably end up with a good quality, stylish antique that has the look and feel of a lot of history.

Oh, and a promissory ring you can always give to a daughter to wear or to a son to give to the lady he wants to marry.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

You've got a level head on your sholders. Its not about the ring at all. Buy what you can afford, replace it when you can, you'll always love the first one the most. Keep in mind too, an engagement ring doesnt hhave to be a diamond. Look at antique shops or flea markets for a piece of 40's costume jewelry, make the ring something meaningful, you'll treasure it that much more and it will always bring you fond memories. If you still decide someday to get a replacement you can always wear the original on another finger, or someday you may have kids and want to pass it on to your son to give to the woman he chooses to marry.

Answer 5

I would say, keep the original. What some people do is have the small engagement ring, and a wrap wedding band, so the two rings are one. Make the wedding band really nice to go with the engagement ring and be what you both dream of. Remind him that you don't need a nicer ring to replace the first one, you just need to know the first one came with all his love.

Answer 6

I think people who "upgrade" their rings later are completely unsentimental and materialistic.

Just wear the original ring for the entire engagement, or even forego the engagement ring tradition altogether. It's a fading tradition, anyways.

There are also alternative types of rings that are affordable that you can consider, made of art glass, or wood, or other non-metal materials. Some cost as little as 6 dollars and are truly beautiful. Try relishtyle.com and other websites.

Here's our situation: Our entire wedding budget is what some people spend on the engagement ring ALONE. I don't need a ring to convince me that we are meant to marry each other, so we are skipping this tradition.

There are so many better things to spend your money on, like your future life together, a house, etc. Who needs a piece of jewelry?

Answer 7

No you won't care later one. You should keep the original ring that was used..its about the moment not the size of the ring.

You can have an actual wedding ring when you do get married and then move the engagement ring to your right hand...which is what I did.

When I look back, the best time of my life and the most happy and fun moments in my life are moments ..where there was no money to do anything.

Its not about money or the ring..its about the love you share together.

Answer 8

I think that in some ways it's better to replace a ring later.

Think about it this way: You'll have that magic, sentimental proposal moment when he gives you the ring he can afford at this point in his life. You will ALWAYS remember that moment. Then, after you're married or closer to your wedding, if he has more money he can buy a larger ring that he will personally feel more proud of. Then you can have the special moment all over again when he suprises you with it.

So, what to do with the smaller ring when he gives you a bigger one?

Wear it on a necklace! You'll still be able to keep it forever and wear it all th time.

Answer 9

My fiance and I bought eachother "promise" rings when we decided that we were going to get married (this was about six months before we were officially "egnaged"). My promise ring was under $100 as was his. Now, I'm sporting my dream engagment ring. There's nothing wrong with having two engagment rings. It's not the ring that matters, it's the promise.

Additionally, his sister got a glow in the dark ring from a machine when she first got engaged because her fiance didn't have the money for a nicer ring at the time.

It's the decision that matters, not necessarily what you wear on your hand.

Answer 10

You are right that the original has more meaning. I see you realize the size or kind of ring doesn't matter. He can choose one within his budget, and wedding band, too. Later, on your tenth anniversary, for example, he can get you an anniversary or eternity ring. Don't later "replace" your engagement ring, just get a different "dress" ring.

Answer 11

Its your ring. If he wants to offer you a better one later on, let him. That does not mean you have to throw away your original. I bought my wife several different rings over the years. We are divorced now and frankly I don't think any of them mean anything to her other than dollar value.

If you man wants to provide for you let him. If its going to be a big deal, just wait till you have enough money to get what ever ring makes him happy. If you can't afford a ring, how are you going to afford a family....just something to think about.

There are 2 sure fire ways to get poor.
Get married
Get divorced.

Perhaps you need to do a little saving and planing and preparing.