Understanding the man-gagement ring.
This might be a little off-topic, but I was reading an article about how the jewelry industry had been hurting lately because with so many people out of work, cutting back on spending or looking for a job, they aren't as willing to spend big money on engagement rings. Instead, some couples have opted for less expensive gemstones or smaller vintage styled rings.
However, a new trend is emerging called a man-gagement ring. Basically, the idea is to give a man a ring when a couple becomes engaged. At first, I have to admit, I thought the idea was just plain silly. The more I thought about it, the more I saw that the idea was pure genius.
I am an independent woman and even though I can't imagine ever proposing to a man, I support any woman who wants to do so. This is one place where having a selection of man-gagement rings would be great.
However, even when a man proposes, his fiance could give him a ring to symbolize their commitment to each other. If you think about it, when a woman becomes engaged, custom dictates that she wear an outward sign of the change in status. Sort of like a Facebook Relationship Status change. The man, however, doesn't have any sort of traditional symbol.
Now, however, there is the man-gagement ring. Personally, I think that both parties wearing a ring makes the commitment more equal.
So, is this a last ditch gimmick created by frustrated diamond sellers? Maybe. However, it's worth noting that these types of rings are typically cheaper than a wedding band and can be plain or elaborate. It just depends on how much you want to spend.
I don't think that this idea is going to catch on in a big way, or be enough to revive the jewelry industry, but wouldn't it be nice if it did? Personally, If I were to become engaged, I would want to know that my partner wanted to wear an outward sign of our commitment. I mean, if you are deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone, if you don't want scream it from the rooftops, it might be a sign that you should keep looking.
What do you think about the idea of man-gagement? Would you buy one? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManhattanJobsBlog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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