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Talk Me Down On Lame Class Ring

Assuming getting the ring won't devour your budget, get it.

The kid is graduating. It's a huge deal for him. Commemorate it without a "oh, those rings aren't good enough." Similarly is the "oh, you won't wear a high school ring.. wait til college." That second thought devalues all the work they've put into graduating high school.

The rings might suck, but who cares? We all buy crap that's overpriced or not as nice as it could be. I would, of course, set some reasonable limit on which high school ring he can get and shop around.

I didn't get one right out of high school and wish I had. I later got a Walmart one (I don't reccomend it.. the stone looks like candy machine plastic, the side enamel comes off, the antiquing wears off to a gross grewy. They're cheap if you'll only wear it a few weeks, though.)

Kid + Ring = Commemorating their accomplishment. It's not about stone quality, it's about the son's achievement.
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up).
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up).
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up). I wouldn't go over the top custom with it, nor would I really suggest going low-end custom. If there's an alternative, great,.. but the kid wants what his peers have to mark this milestone.

Yes, I still wish I had gotten one. I'd probably even get my future offspring ones for middle school or something (well, Walmart ones). There aren't many trinkets of milestones and youth, and not marking a high school graduation is insulting and marginalizing the achievement, and hurts the kid.
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up). I wouldn't go over the top custom with it, nor would I really suggest going low-end custom. If there's an alternative, great,.. but the kid wants what his peers have to mark this milestone.

Yes, I still wish I had gotten one. I'd probably even get my future offspring ones for middle school or something (well, Walmart ones). There aren't many trinkets of milestones and youth, and not marking a high school graduation is insulting and marginalizing the achievement, and hurts the kid.
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up). I wouldn't go over the top custom with it, nor would I really suggest going low-end custom. If there's an alternative, great,.. but the kid wants what his peers have to mark this milestone.

Yes, I still wish I had gotten one. I'd probably even get my future offspring ones for middle school or something (well, Walmart ones). There aren't many trinkets of milestones and youth, and not marking a high school graduation is insulting and marginalizing the achievement, and hurts the kid.
 
jstarfireb said:
Here's an analogy. If you spend any time in RockyTalky, you know that most PSers aren't in love with Tiffany engagement rings, because they charge a high premium, and you can get diamonds with better cut for much lower prices online. However, for some ladies, Tiffany is the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. If he wants this class ring like some girls want a Tiffany diamond, he probably won't be happy with customizing a ring somewhere else, even if it's better and cheaper.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Most people I knew in high school got them -- not in college. And the college rings from my school are far far more expensive ($800-1200.. and up). I wouldn't go over the top custom with it, nor would I really suggest going low-end custom. If there's an alternative, great,.. but the kid wants what his peers have to mark this milestone.

Yes, I still wish I had gotten one. I'd probably even get my future offspring ones for middle school or something (well, Walmart ones). There aren't many trinkets of milestones and youth, and not marking a high school graduation is insulting and marginalizing the achievement, and hurts the kid. (Of course, if it's budget-based, there's more leeway.. and the kid could chip in for a lot of it too.)
 
@Ringthings: Don't worry, for some reason at this school the juniors get them, so I'm not questioning a desired graduation gift.

@rhparker: sorry you had a bad time in high school, I'm sure kharma has some great things in store for you.

@everybody: okay, okay! I'll buy 2! Sorry, I'm just realizing what a selfish jerk I am to even question the ring. . . :oops:
 
I don't think you're being selfish at all. I think they are total crap, honestly, and if it were something at least quality, I don't think you'd have such an issue with it. But I think everyone here agrees that it's a POS. I think mine at 10k, "diamonds" (CZs?) and a synthetic spinel (assuming here) wasn't worth the paper the credit card receipt was printed on.

If $200-$400 is worth your son's happiness (for a month or two or however long), so be it! Buy it for him!
 
I still have my HS class ring and it even still fits. Every once in a while I'll dig it out and wear it for a couple of days. It is 10k yellow gold, and it was my first real piece of jewelry. My first RHR, as it were. I wore it all during HS, and I'm glad I got it.

I encouraged my kids to get class rings, but neither of them wore them at all. I guess jewelry not their thing.
 
You are not being selfish...you offered options, he chose to go with the standard selection and you supported that. Mom's are supposed to do that! :wavey:

I think you are being responsible and supportive...not selfish.

Laura
 
I don't think it's selfish at all! I think it's one of those things you just gotta grit your teeth and write the check. I think it would be cool to design your own class ring w/CAD and be totally original from anyone else's, but when I was in HS, even tho I loved jewelry, I wouldn't have had the foggiest notion what to do or where to start on something like that. I was rebellious in my classmates eyes by not getting the standard ring that everyone else had, so that was all I cared about. I hope to start doing little projects w/London soon so that when she's old enough for a class ring we can turn it into a really cool project.

I found one similar to mine on Jostens site. It's Cameo, only mine didn't have the hearts on the sides, they're ovals I think. Pink "concave cut" oval center. It made me laugh to see it and yeah it's lame but I'm still glad I have it.
 
I wish class rings now were like the rings prior to 1970, when each school had a unique design. One local jeweler will take the old rings, and change the graduation dates for current seniors.
 
I'll admit I still need to read through, but I thought I'd add my .02 so far.

The first of my brothers to get through high school did not get a class ring. We found him a great ring with a large, intricate celtic cross and an emerald instead. He wore it loyally and all the high schoolers wanted his ring instead of the generic one, especially because it was real. For his undergraduate degree, he got a school ring. Real gold, 18k I think with gold-etched onyx. Wore that and the first one loyally. Upon graduating from law school, he got the law school's ring. Wears it to his law firm daily without fail. Also his undergrad ring. His high school ring still comes out often, and looks stunning, but has been through a lot and finally gets some time off his finger. He was an athlete and valedictorian in high school, an athlete in college, and a loyal fan of his school, so all the rings have gone to great use.

My youngest brother has a Miskatonic University ring for his high school ring. Loves it. Wears it all the time now in his freshman year of college. He's an individual, so the ring suits him, but he gets to be like his big brother at the same time by having a class ring.

My high school ring didn't fit, but I wore it when I could anyway. It was some kind of alloy, but it was the only ring offered. My college ring's kinda exclusive to the college and very special to me, so I definitely wear it often. I got a ring of gold swirling tendrils with nine little diamonds when I got my Master's. Love it.

College ring looks like this (different center stone, though):
http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Jostens/col_ring_p_m7192_smcprong

It can be a good investment, especially when the young person loves it. But it's up to you.
 
:appl: :appl: I BEAT THE SYSTEM!!! :appl: :appl:

I got the class ring (I took everyone's advice), but I got it for less than half price!! I found this company:

http://www.dunham-mfg.com/Default.aspx

Yup. . . :praise:

It came out perfect, it's in ACTUAL SILVER, not "Ultrium" and it was a pleasure to work with these people.

I guess for $150, instead of $398, I can live with a fake stone :rolleyes:

Now I'm thinking . . . for fun . . . I'll order one of their FBI rings for myself. . .
 
Sweet! You beat the system. :wink2:
 
I guess I'm in the minority here, but I got a college class ring (signet style), and I've worn it every day since I graduated college (in May 2005). For me, I think it's a sentimental thing because I grew up watching my uncle wear his Yale signet ring (which he also wears every day), and wanted one all of my life.

Maybe I would feel differently about wearing it if I had gotten one with a fake stone.
 
On the subject of class rings, I wanted to share one that I think is pretty cool:
http://snively.blogspot.com/2009/02/2011-brass-rat-premiere.html

The "Brass Rat," as MIT class rings are called, are designed with new details and tons of hidden codes and secrets every year. No stones, alas. I got a masters from MIT, so I have a "grad rad," which is not quite as cool.

Great job getting a good deal!
 
My son wanted one, he graduated in 2007. We gave him the money for a down payment , then the rest for xmas. It's what he wanted. He still wears it, now in pharmacy school and is looking forward to trading it in for the pharmacy school ring. I agree with the idea that they want to fit in, so it's all in his crowd as to whether it's a throw away or will wear it for quite awhile. I never would've believed he would have worn it so much.
 
College vs high school?

Big difference. Often college is a choice and people put themselves through that. High school is often part choice and part not choice depending on how old the student is.

From my own experience, high school is NOT an accomplishment that is ring worthy. Getting a college diploma 9 years after starting the process? Much more understandable.

Worlds of difference between the two.
 
I think the whole process of graduation means so much for them, and it is so beautiful, that if he wants a class ring, he should have it. Glad that you beat the system.
My kid refused anything. Got a lot of diplomas but did not even frame them. Pushed them all in a bed drawer. But he surely did invest in the party at our house! (Which I did not know about). To each his own.
 
I got one for high school and college. My high school one looks like a typical class ring. It's pretty, but I don't wear it. My college ring, I made sure wouldn't look like a class ring because I knew if it did, I'd stop wearing it very quickly. I ended up getting a style that just looks like a regular ring until you look more closely. It's a marquise cut Alexandrite (synthetic, I'm sure) in a six prong white gold setting. No accent stones, but some nice molding for decoration. It has my full first name on one side and BA 2010 on the other. I still wear it, 4 years after first getting it. I'll probably continue to wear it until I get a right hand ring that I like better. Who knows when that will be, or what form that particular sparkly will take. :)

I don't regret buying my class ring. I love it and I get compliments on it every now and then. Besides, the stone changes color. :loopy:
 
Funny this thread popped up today - I am getting a class ring as my Christmas present. I didn't know I really wanted one until my mom started asking me if I did, and then it was like, well, I have had a lot of difficulties with my health as I've been going through college, and I'm taking longer to graduate than all my friends (and even my little brother), and it's been a huge struggle for me because of that, and I'd like a wearable token of my effort. My school only has one style available, the signet style, and I wasn't SURE I wanted one until I saw one in person, and it was just so adorable with the little relief carving of the school's oldest building (which has extra meaning for me since all my family has gone to this school, and this building has been a feature in my life since I was a little kid). All my professors wear class rings like it every day, which has given me ample time to judge that they look decent. If it wasn't just a simple signet style, I don't think I would be into it, and would have pushed for something else. As it is, since I still have a year until graduation (unless more health problems arise! *crosses fingers*), I'm hoping to get additional bling once I graduate.
 
This is an old thread but in case anyone looks it up in the future, I also beat the system for high school rings! WalMart sells customized rings like the manufacturer iLander found. I paid around $100 for the silver metal rings a few years ago. They were totally happy with them and they looked as good as the terribly overpriced ones from the school. In my experience, most people don't wear hs rings after hs, so my philosophy is to spend as little as possible on those. I don't wear my college ring now, either, but it was 10 or 14k gold in a ladies style and had a bezeled rectangular black onyx with the school seal engraved in it, and I still think it is a very tasteful ring.
 
Nashville|1286039028|2726985 said:
Sorry, everyone gets a class ring, so you're just going to have to plaster on a smile and write the check. I had to have one in high school or I would just diiiiiiiie... now I don't even know where it is.

They usually cost between 200-350 for the standards. The princess foo-foo ones can go up to over $1,000. Did you know Wal Mart sells class rings that are practically identical to what you get in the catalogs? And they are like 100 bucks cheaper... just a thought.
Click to expand...

Thankfully this tradition hasn't crossed the pond to the UK yet so I won't have the joy of buying a plastic ring for my offspring! :D
 
I have one for high school, undergrad and grad school. They're all fake with fake stones but I still like to look at them every now and then and remember what it was like when I got them. I paid for them all myself and I don't regret them.
 
So did he wear it more then four times? Does he like it?

Enquiring minds want to know! :lol:
 
Good for you!
 
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