What does an engagement ring symbolize, and why is it the right symbol?
We read up on a lot of the standard engagement ring information: the four C’s, ring styles, percentage of salary, etc. We also learned more about the justice issues surrounding diamonds. Amnesty International has had some recent success in its fight against the way diamond industry has been linked to human rights abuses in Africa. For us, we also had a lot of concerns about the possibility of spending a large amount of money on jewelry, and felt that was not in line with our values. We were offended by some salespeople who seemed most interested in selling us up to the largest diamond possible, as well as the way the industry tries to connect the cost of the ring to the extent of our love for each other.
