Proposing to my Polish girlfriend

dnz:

You should look at spending around 2 years wages to get something decent. In Poland its perfectly normal to take out a massive loan to buy an engagement ring and then another larger loan to pay for the wedding ring and wedding.

Goose:

I am going back to the UK soon so could always buy it from there if it's cheaper.

GooseThreads: 1 Posts: 3 Joined: Sep 23, 09	Sep 23, 09, 12:19 / #
Hi All I'm planning to "bling up" my girlfriend soon and make an honest woman of her. She is from Poland and we are going on holiday in November. I thought this would be the ideal time to propose. The question is, is there an expected amount that one should spend on a ring in Poland? I've always been confused by this and have heard mention of 1-6 months wages should be spent on a ring. To be honest, I'm not tight but this is beyond me and I don't want to bankrupt myself over a ring. My girlfriend isn't money grabbing so I don't think she would expect much but at the same time I don't want to be cheap. Help? Would appreciate your thoughts.

krysiaThreads: 26 Posts: 3,604 Joined: Aug 10, 06	Sep 23, 09, 12:25 / #
Shop around, there are many jewelry stores in Poland, because the design of a ring is more important than the price.

PolsonThreads: 15 Posts: 2,812 Joined: May 9, 07	Sep 23, 09, 12:25 / #
I didn't know there was an 'minimum amount' we should spend on rings... I think a nice ring would do. The price doesn't matter. Money is nothing ;)

dnzThreads: 25 Posts: 804 Joined: Dec 2, 07	Sep 23, 09, 12:27 / #
You should look at spending around 2 years wages to get something decent. In Poland its perfectly normal to take out a massive loan to buy an engagement ring and then another larger loan to pay for the wedding ring and wedding. On a serious note where are you based? Jewellery is really expensive in PL, If you are going on holiday to turkey buy one there as you will get much more for your money.

GooseThreads: 1 Posts: 3 Joined: Sep 23, 09	Sep 23, 09, 12:32 / #
dnz: On a serious note where are you based? I live in Poland. I haven't really checked out the prices here but I am going back to the UK soon so could always buy it from there if it's cheaper. Unfortunately I'm not going to Turkey either so that's not an option. Thanks for the advice everyone - this helps!

beazeeThreads: - Posts: 46 Joined: Sep 9, 09	Edited by: beazee Sep 23, 09, 14:16 / #
dnz: You should look at spending around 2 years wages to get something decent. In Poland its perfectly normal to take out a massive loan to buy an engagement ring and then another larger loan to pay for the wedding ring and wedding. Oh! please! What world are you living in? www.wec.pl I found him the best online jeweller in Poland. His offices are based in Krakow. If you need you may collect the ring in person or choose a courier. 2000pln is more than enough for an engagement ring. Most of my friends were aiming between 800-2500pln (while on their first job). It's ONLY a ring! What's more precious: a ring? or a feeling? But if you want to "blink! blink!" then 20K euro is not enough. Goose: I am going back to the UK soon so could always buy it from there if it's cheaper. Look for the quality of gold! Polish are usually of higher quality/density/carat (whatever you call it). Mine got that one: http://www.wec.com.pl/Bizuteria-z-brylantami/Pierscionek-z-brylantem-C P-4002B-0-02-ct-J-Si-p1008.html With bigger stone it worked out around 350 euro (enough is enough).

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER	Sep 23, 09, 17:14 / #
beazee: Mine got that one: Looks more like a promise ring. Does she need a magnifying glass to look at the diamond? Lol. Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Sep 23, 09, 17:17 / #
beckski: Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary. Again, this is propaganda issued by the diamond conglomerates! Don't forget, you can always go back and upgrade the diamond in a few years. Go for the style of the ring (with space for a future upgrade in mind?).

TheOtherThreads: 5 Posts: 1,584 Joined: Jul 13, 09	Sep 23, 09, 17:29 / #
beckski: Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary You're an American girl, one can tell... ;)

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Sep 23, 09, 17:41 / #
you definitely should spend every grosz you have. ;)

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER	Edited by: beckski Sep 23, 09, 18:29 / #
ShawnH: Come on Beckski! If the guy of your dreams got down on his knee and presented you with a slightly used ring, you would be OK with that? Hell yeah, if the diamond is 1kt total weight+ (hehe) People purchase used homes, cars, jewelry, etc. I'd be honored to receive a ring that was a family heirloom, as an engagement ring. Some are quite lovely. I also pointed out that pawn shops also have new, unused rings available for purchase. Of course he's not gonna go & give his fiancee a dented, scratched up engagement ring. I'm merely suggesting a way he can get more bang for his buck. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Sep 23, 09, 18:33 / #
beckski: I also pointed out that pawn shops also have new, unused rings available for purchase Yeah, but I purposely (like many on here) ignored that fact based on my ability to slam you for the other part of your statement! :-) A family heirloom one would be cool though, as long as it was in your family....

sadieannThreads: 4 Posts: 320 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Sep 23, 09, 18:43 / #
Express your love. Choose what is fitting for you. There is no price on an engagement ring. Naturally, you should gravitate toward a ring that expresses your relationship and your commitment to each other.

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 23, 09, 22:22 / #
SzwedwPolsce: Yes, the emotional value is the most important value. If she always remembers the passion of you two when she looks at the ring, it's worth more than any money you can spend on a ring. Ah ... MY FRIENDDDDDDD ... words... words like honey!!!... lovely words you speak!

GooseThreads: 1 Posts: 3 Joined: Sep 23, 09	Sep 23, 09, 18:08 / #
beazee: .wec.pl Thanks Beazee, really useful beckski: Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary If this is right, then I won't be proposing this year (or next). ShawnH: this is propaganda issued by the diamond conglomerates! Thanks, makes me feel better ShawnH: you can always go back and upgrade the diamond in a few years. Go for the style of the ring (with space for a future upgrade in mind?). Good tip, nice one

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER	Edited by: beckski Sep 23, 09, 18:20 / #
Goose: Good tip Here's another tip. You may actually be able to buy a really nice engagement ring at a pawn shop. Purchasing the ring there, may only cost you approximately 1/2 the cost of a luxury jewelry item, as opposed to a retail jeweler. Not all the jewelry at pawn shops is used. Lots of their items are infact new. If the ring does happen to be slightly used, just give the ring a good polishing job; it'll sparkle like new! A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Sep 23, 09, 18:22 / #
beckski: You may actually be able to buy a really nice engagement ring at a pawn shop. Come on Beckski! If the guy of your dreams got down on his knee and presented you with a slightly used ring, you would be OK with that? "Uh, yeah sweetie, it was in the scratch and dent section, but it was lovely in it's day!"

OsiedleRuda	Sep 23, 09, 18:35 / #
dnz: You should look at spending around 2 years wages to get something decent. In Poland its perfectly normal to take out a massive loan to buy an engagement ring and then another larger loan to pay for the wedding ring and wedding. I can't believe guys still fall for this nonsense. It's not like the OP lives in Saudi Arabia, and you can't even talk to a woman in public, never mind get laid without a ring on you finger! Two years wages for a ring???

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER	Edited by: beckski Sep 23, 09, 18:38 / #
ShawnH: A family heirloom one would be cool though, as long as it was in your family.... My sis's hubby gave her his mother's wedding ring. It's absolutely gorgeous. She adores the ring and wears it with great pride and honor. The heirloom wedding ring is truly a symbol of my brother-in-law's love to my sister. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

beazeeThreads: - Posts: 46 Joined: Sep 9, 09	Edited by: beazee Sep 23, 09, 19:23 / #
beckski: Does she need a magnifying glass to look at the diamond? Lol.Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary. Having many of them in your collection? 3-month salary worth just in case he dumps you... and you collect quite a cash in a pawn shop? Not with me, luv. Yeah, if that was for cash she would dump me then... nice test though. Goose, good man, you went for Polish girl. Being courteous means even more for them than having your valet packed up with kings. I can guarantee you 95% of Polish never heard of "minimal value of engagement ring stated at...". That's some materialistic 81tches 8ullsh1te.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Sep 23, 09, 19:27 / #
beazee: 3-month salary worth just in case he dumps you... and you collect quite a cash in a pawn shop? Not really. Rings are over valued compared to their "scrap value" (selling for the value of the diamond and the gold). You are paying quite a bit for the "artistry" of crafting the ring. So, you don't ever really get what he paid for it. I think I got more value out of my $25 marriage licence, than I ever would for the ring though.

JustysiaSThreads: 15 Posts: 2,869 Joined: Oct 14, 07 MEMBER	Sep 23, 09, 19:50 / #
don't think the price matters as long as it's a nice ring, make sure it's a special romantic moment which she will always remember. the engagement ring from my ex was £300 ;D

beazeeThreads: - Posts: 46 Joined: Sep 9, 09	Edited by: beazee Sep 23, 09, 19:56 / #
Goose: The question is, is there an expected amount that one should spend on a ring in Poland? On the page I gave you a link to you may find that the range of engagement rings falls between 400 PLN to 3900 PLN. (E100 - E950) And that's the money people tend to spend on the ring in PL. Why spend more? JustysiaS: the engagement ring from my ex was £300 ;D Was that the reason? If I may ask.

frdThreads: 8 Posts: 1,956 Joined: Feb 3, 09	Sep 23, 09, 22:05 / #
Well.. we are talking here about engagement ring not a wedding ring. Engagement ring doesn't really have to be very expensive, as for wedding rings, there's a statement that one should spend at least one salary on it.

JustysiaSThreads: 15 Posts: 2,869 Joined: Oct 14, 07 MEMBER	Sep 23, 09, 22:06 / #
beazee: Was that the reason? If I may ask. reason for what, i don't understand the question

Lodz_The_BoatThreads: 58 Posts: 2,314 Joined: Sep 7, 08	Sep 23, 09, 22:16 / #
beckski: a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary. God bless your lover.

SzwedwPolsceThreads: 13 Posts: 1,915 Joined: Feb 21, 09	Edited by: SzwedwPolsce Sep 23, 09, 22:18 / #
JustysiaS: make sure it's a special romantic moment which she will always remember Yes, the emotional value is the most important value. If she always remembers the passion between you two when she looks at the ring, it's worth more than any money you can spend on a ring.

GooseThreads: 1 Posts: 3 Joined: Sep 23, 09	Sep 23, 09, 22:50 / #
SzwedwPolsce: Yes, the emotional value is the most important value. If she always remembers the passion between you two when she looks at the ring, it's worth more than any money you can spend on a ring. Yep, good enough for me. Next challenge, what do I do about ring size. Girlfriend wears earings, bracelets but not rings so I can't "borrow" one for comparison. Anyone got any tips as to how I can find out her size? Is it worth just hazzarding a guess or opting for an average size?

JustysiaSThreads: 15 Posts: 2,869 Joined: Oct 14, 07 MEMBER	Sep 24, 09, 00:01 / #
can always have it resized at the jewellers, it's common practice, it won't always fit perfectly. just go there together and they will measure her size, not sure how much it costs but if you choose to insure it then it might be covered for that too.

beazeeThreads: - Posts: 46 Joined: Sep 9, 09	Sep 24, 09, 00:23 / #
Goose: how I can find out her size? Do you have any friends among her girlfriends? Is any of them engaged already? Let your lady try her girlfriend's ring - at least you will know should it be smaller or larger. No. 13 was alright for my wifey slender fingers. WEC is very flexible as to any alterations.