The Ring Didn't Mean A Thing

I'm so sick of women pretending that the size of their engagement ring doesn't matter. Every woman has dreamed of some form of an engagement ring, and I guarantee it's not so tiny that one can't see it. I understand that marriage isn't about the size of the ring or the other bells and whistles that come along with it. Since your goal is to not be shallow and boost your spouse's self esteem or ego, why not be that way in all aspects of your life. Instead of Malaysian, Brazilian and Indian Remy hair, go back to Yaki or synthetic. Need a new pair of tennis shoes? Buy some from Wal-mart, K-mart or Payless.  If your household needs a new vehicle then settle for the 1998 reliable yet not cosmetically appealing vehicle that's for sale by a neighbor down the street. I have room to talk... I'm a 27 year old female driving a '98 Camry which has been in an accident and has parts that are still unpainted. So I'm certainly not too concerned about image since the accident happened a week before my mother passed, the car is reasonably reliable and I'm enjoying not paying a car note. I will one day get a newer car or even paint mine, but I'm not in a rush. It's been 6 months. While I'm seemingly not vain about that, I do care about other aspects of my appearance. No bad weaves or noticeably cheap clothing or shoes for me. I'm all for a bargain, but there's a difference between bargain shopping and just being plain cheap.

The same girls that are proclaiming that the appearance of their ring doesn't matter are the same ones who hide their hand when a friend, coworker, or relative gets a bigger ring or miraculously don't wear their rings. They are also the only ones saying that the size or quality of the ring does't matter. We all remember the episode of The Game when Melanie is ashamed of the ring Derwin gave her so she pretends that the diamond fell out in effort to divert people's attention. Stop trying to convince yourself that settling for less is fine. I understand that realistically speaking a 3+ carat diamond ring is not affordable. After jewelry shopping the other day I've one to realize that there are a lot of rings <$1K that are very very nice. So your knight in shining armor may not be able to afford you a ring like Beyonce's or Kim K., but he can certainly afford you a ring that you would be proud to show people. Just as large diamonds aren't appealing on small, childlike hands, fat fingers deserve larger or more diamonds. Sorry. It's something that's agreed upon by many. I know some women that require certain name brand jewelry and the size doesn't matter as long as it's Tiffany's, Mignon Faget, or Aucoin Hart. That's ridiculous when there are a lot of jewelers around that have the same, good quality jewelry for cheaper, i.e. Gordon's, Sam's, etc.  Learn how to shop around. Just as you don't buy the first nice car you see on a lot, do the same with jewelry. Shop around!

If your man truly knows you then he knows your style, you've discussed engagement, marriages, family size, home size, and rings. If you truly know your man then you know what he can afford and whether or not he's cheap, and you won't be disappointed. Most women know a lot about jewelry. Stop assuming that your man does too. Some men will try to be cheap even when they can afford it. Look at Trina Braxton's husband. He bought her a fake diamond ring. If Trina was presented with fake then you aren't exempt from a man playing you or trying to convince you that it's about rings with a low price tag and love.  I went into a jewelry store about a year ago and the lovely sales lady had diamond charts printed on the back of their business cards available. She said it best. Most men don't know a thing about quality of diamonds.  Agree upon expectations and expenses. If tattoo rings work for you then do you, but don't let someone convince you of what you should want. 

It's true that I may not get my dream 3 carat diamond ring due to cost, but I'll be damn if the man I'm marrying can't even afford 1 carat. If you can't afford that then you won't be able to afford me, the house I'd like, two future kids, helping me with student loan debt, etc. it's not being shallow, its gauging reality. My sister always makes this statement about hair, jewelry and other feminine things; "Men don't know anything. You gotta teach them." Start teaching you men now... Your love is worth more than diamonds and can't be quantified, but diamonds still are and always will be a girl's best friend.