As if planning a wedding proposal isn’t stressful enough, having to purchase an engagement ring that your partner will like is another headscratcher. While more women in Singapore are now open to choosing their own design to avoid disappointment, some still prefer to be surprised by a ring that symbolises the couple’s love and commitment.
Below, we speak to five Singaporean girls to learn their preferences.
“To me, an engagement ring is a reminder of my partner, and the effort and the money he has spent on me. It also shows how proud he is to have me as his partner. I’m the kind of girl who is pretty traditional, wanting the guy to propose because it’s the true testament that he really wants you.
When it comes to choosing a ring, it is important to strike a balance between affordability and personal preference. Since my partner is investing his hard-earned money in a ring that I will be wearing, I want it to be a design that suits my taste. That said, the surprise can come from the proposal itself.”
– Shan, 29
“Before marrying my husband in 2021, I shared my likes and dislikes regarding engagement rings with him. Given that my requirements were quite basic, focusing on a classic and timeless look, I preferred him to surprise me because I wasn’t super particular about the design.
An engagement ring symbolises the first and only piece of jewellery I’d receive from my partner. Therefore, he definitely needed to put some thought into choosing the ring because it also signifies the start of our new journey together as a married couple.
However, that doesn’t mean that he had to burn his pocket to purchase an extremely expensive ring, like the three times his monthly salary suggested by several marketing tactics. After all, sincerity is what matters the most.
I’ve heard of some women who received a bigger and better ring later in the marriage because their husbands became more financially secure. My husband has also offered to buy me something bigger and flashier since my current ring is about 0.8 carats, but I told him I don’t care about jewellery and would prefer him to pay for an air ticket instead.”
– Amanda, 31
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“I’m a fan of surprises, but I wouldn’t want to be caught off guard by an engagement ring that is not to my liking. Since I will be the one wearing it for a lifetime, I prefer to have some input in the ring design. The element of surprise can still come from the proposal itself, so I feel that choosing your ring design can satisfy both you and your partner.
With that being said, I find communication important because you need to understand how comfortable your partner is willing to spend on the engagement ring. Instead of opting for a ring that would break the bank, find an option that both of you are comfortable with. The ring should be to both of your liking, and not something to worry about financially.
I know of people who insist on receiving their engagement rings from certain brands, but to me, it doesn’t make sense, especially if they have more important things to spend on, such as the downpayment for their BTO. If you look at the ring objectively, it is actually just a gemstone, and it wouldn’t have mattered if it weren’t for the love between you and your partner.”
– Jou, 30
“When my then-boyfriend and I travelled overseas for the first time to Melbourne, we went ring shopping together because he wanted to get me a ring that was not from a run-of-the-mill store in Singapore. I used to want to be surprised, but as I aged, I realised that after having waited so long to find the love of my life and be proposed to, I could not deal with being stuck with a ring that was less than perfect.
Initially, I thought he was only buying the ring to have it on hand, and to propose perhaps when we hit 2 years in our relationship.
However, he took me by surprise, and proposed to me during a sunrise walk along the beach. Of course, the surprise element was still there. I didn’t have to be hit with a wave of disappointment when he opened the ring box to reveal the design, because I was the one who chose the ring.
That being said, I am super against the old rules and beliefs that a ring should cost several times the man’s salary. That’s incredibly wasteful, considering the prices of weddings in Singapore now ‒ and life, in general. Plus, I am a very clumsy person so I want the ring to be on the cheaper end in case I lose or damage it. I know of someone with a $6,000+ ring who lost it overseas, and I can’t imagine if that happened to me.”
– Renae, 28
“My boyfriend knows I’m a person who dislikes basic items, so I told him to get creative and choose a unique ring that suits me the best. I’m open to unconventional engagement rings, such as those with coloured gemstones and accented twists. Most of the time, these rings are more affordable, especially if the stones are moissanites rather than lab-grown diamonds.
To me, an engagement ring is an indication of eternal love, but my boyfriend doesn’t have to spend a fortune on it because I know he is still working hard to be financially stable.
I hope when he proposes, he does it in an intimate setting because I wouldn’t want the attention of passersby to be on me. My ideal setting would be somewhere overseas so we could treasure the precious memories together.”
– Ming Xuan, 27
Getting engaged is a huge milestone in a relationship, and sometimes, nothing is more important than the love between a couple. Whether you choose to pick your ring or prefer to be surprised by your partner, we should be grateful that there is someone who wants to spend the rest of their life with you.
Cover: Images courtesy of Renae and Amanda.
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