Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BS.Dos.]

I hear you. I should have bought my GF something unique. Something a bit different. Something that took something other than walking into a jewellery shop and pointing. Something turquoise.

[EricaSmile84]

I think that the guy should just buy the girl what she wants. I personally don't think he could go wrong with a decent sized diamond solitaire, but if the case is that the girl SAYS she'd rather have a colored gem instead or something other than a ring, do that.

Either way, if you loved her enough to propose then you wouldn't have a problem giving her exactly what she wants.

[ardis]

[RJjr]

I wouldn't buy an engagement ring because it's so expensive, I'm so cheap, divorce rates are so high, and I've heard so many women complain about their rings. After maybe 15 or 20 years, at that point, I'm sure I would buy a wife something really nice for putting up with my bullshit for so long.

Molly, I think your man really needs to spring for something nice. Spending thousands of dollars on a ring now to hook it up with a Harvard grad student will probably produce a great return on the investment, with your future income potential. You command and can demand a premium.

Tzechuk, do you hide your valuables or remove your rings often? You might still have it. Check all of the pockets in all of your coats especially. If I had just a nickel for every time I lost my safety deposit box keys exactly where I hid them or found money in my coat pockets the next winter or found something else important or valuable that I had completely forgotten about, I'd be able to afford the finest engagement ring for even the biggest gold digger.

My mother didn't lose her ring, but the stone fell out once and was lost for weeks. It ended up being in the bottom of the toilet. How it didn't flush on down to the septic tank, I do not know.

[MollyBloom]

[simpleminds]

The engagement ring is one of the biggest marketing gimmicks to pull wool over so many eyes, just like the wedding registery nonsense. I wouldn't want my man to buy me a rock, instead a Claddah ring would be more appropiate. I buy my own rocks, anyway.

[Jimskins]

My (Korean) girlfriend (our wedding is set for October) suggested that instead of wasting money on a ring we should go on an extra holiday in the winter vacation to visit my family in England. I wholeheartedly agreed

[MollyBloom]

As much as I would like something to symbolize the engagement, I don't think right now is a good time for my boyfriend to spend money on something like that. We are a young couple, and have a lot of other financial things to worry about. But I agree, it's sort of confusing/annoying telling people "we are engaged" because people want to see something tangible signifying the event. But, it's his decision now, so maybe I will get something...maybe not.

[Rae]

Molly, I'm in a similar situation. I told 2 people I was leaving for my boyfriend's country and somehow the school and my most-likely my small town knows. I saw one student during graduation gesture to her friend about "the ring" with her friend doing the universal 'I don't know shrug'

A huge point of confusion to even my friends back home is that I filed for residency in his country and now after having that approved, people assume we're either already married of engaged (because back home, you can't get that just by being a gf, like you can in his country).

In Korea, I don't really care too much what anyone thinks but that has a lot to do with the fact that no one lives in my town. I also keep to myself and in generally good terms with the local folk, i.e. students and merchants. Back home, most of my friends are already married with child(ren), so they're not gonna assume anything. I think they're past the sitting around, having tea and admiring the overpriced rock phase. I don't know why but I always associated the excitement of that with a bunch of single girls. After marriage, everyone's busy with more important things, like changing diapers, or getting their husbands to cook dinner

As for my family, my Mom seems to be appeased with the fact that we're looking for houses. So thank goodness, she hasn't asked about marriage, although I know she's itching to eventually. For everyone else in the family - it may be semi-uncomfortable because I don't keep in touch and they might automatically expect a formal ring. But it doesn't really matter since I don't want one.

The bf was referring to his brother as my brother-in-law just the other night and I was gonna give him a hard time by saying he can't assume things but then figured that's probably not a good idea. I just hope that when and if we decide on it in the near future, we get to talk about it first and he doesn't try to surprise me with one of these: http://www.diamondring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20519&highlight=ugly+ring

Or something like this:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/nouveau-1910-jewelry/rings/31Q1/

Even a beautiful a engagement ring I'd love to look at like this, is NOT something I'll wear, so I hope he just saves it for the house:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/pearlmans-collection/rings/84EE1/
http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Browse.aspx?mcat=148203


Edit: Now that I'm fully awake, I think it's best to take the not-so-blatant approach

[Rae]

[MollyBloom]

I'm more of an antique-type of gal, so I'm liking the art deco or Edwardian styles:

http://www.faycullen.com/engagement_rings/800/c420r2d.html

http://www.faycullen.com/edwardian_engagement_rings/800/fo928r7d.html

http://www.faycullen.com/art_deco_engagement_rings/800/f528r9d.html

http://www.faycullen.com/art_deco_engagement_rings/800/f528r8d.html

Unfortunately, those rings are way too expensive for right now, but I love the styles.!

[michaelambling]

[gaychel]

[wesharris]

Two words.
Moissanite Stone .
Cheaper yes.
Same quality.
Manmade.
If I ever buy jewelry again, I'll be going with this versus standard diamond.

[MollyBloom]