[city41]

I agree in principal that it's silly to buy a diamond engagement ring. But I also feel like the large expense helps solidify your intent. Without the ring, proposals would lose some of their weight. The ring helps keep more proposals serious, which benefits everyone involved.

[aalvarado]

The ring is standard culture, a social aspect of getting married, if that's important to your partner, and you believe that it is important to support what they consider it to be, I would invest in whatever made them happy.

I found someone that a ring has no value for the proposition, my word sufficed. We did get wedding bands, but we ended up not wearing them. :D

My point is, why not give her something really meaningful instead, then?

[codyb]

Doesn't it happen that lots of people use their Aunt's wedding ring, or a ring from a previous failed proposal? I feel as if I see this on TV pretty often (I'm 25 and unmarried and not particularly familiar with the diamond buying process although I'm always fascinated walking through the Diamond District in New York City). If that's the case doesn't it bring it back to a lesser investment? Although it's true that if it is your Aunt's Wedding Ring you probably hold it very dearly (which might make it more of an investment). But if you get five failed proposals for three grand it's not too bad.

[city41]

I think most women would be offended to be proposed to with a ring from a prior attempt. It's also common now for the woman to help pick out the ring, as tastes vary a lot.

I'm not sure about family rings. I don't really have any evidence regardless, just going off personal experience.