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Proposing to my Polish girlfriend


Goose  1 | 3  
23 Sep 2009 /  #1
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.
krysia  23 | 3058  
23 Sep 2009 /  #2
Shop around, there are many jewelry stores in Poland, because the design of a ring is more important than the price.
Polson  5 | 1767  
23 Sep 2009 /  #3
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 ;)
dnz  17 | 710  
23 Sep 2009 /  #4
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.
OP Goose  1 | 3  
23 Sep 2009 /  #5
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!
beazee  - | 31  
23 Sep 2009 /  #6
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?

wec.com.pl/Bizuteria-z-brylantami/Pierscionek-z-brylantem-CP-4002B-0-02-ct-J-Si-p1008.html
With bigger stone it worked out around 350 euro (enough is enough).
beckski  12 | 1609  
23 Sep 2009 /  #7
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.
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
23 Sep 2009 /  #8
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?).
TheOther  6 | 3596  
23 Sep 2009 /  #9
Supposedly, a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary

You're an American girl, one can tell... ;)
plk123  8 | 4119  
23 Sep 2009 /  #10
you definitely should spend every grosz you have. ;)
OP Goose  1 | 3  
23 Sep 2009 /  #11
.wec.pl

Thanks Beazee, really useful

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).

this is propaganda issued by the diamond conglomerates!

Thanks, makes me feel better

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
beckski  12 | 1609  
23 Sep 2009 /  #12
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!
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
23 Sep 2009 /  #13
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!"
beckski  12 | 1609  
23 Sep 2009 /  #14
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.
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
23 Sep 2009 /  #15
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....
OsiedleRuda  
23 Sep 2009 /  #16
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???
beckski  12 | 1609  
23 Sep 2009 /  #17
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.
sadieann  2 | 205  
23 Sep 2009 /  #18
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.
beazee  - | 31  
23 Sep 2009 /  #19
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.
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
23 Sep 2009 /  #20
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.
JustysiaS  13 | 2235  
23 Sep 2009 /  #21
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
beazee  - | 31  
23 Sep 2009 /  #22
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?

the engagement ring from my ex was £300 ;D

Was that the reason? If I may ask.
frd  7 | 1379  
23 Sep 2009 /  #23
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.
JustysiaS  13 | 2235  
23 Sep 2009 /  #24
Was that the reason? If I may ask.

reason for what, i don't understand the question
Lodz_The_Boat  32 | 1522  
23 Sep 2009 /  #25
a nice engagement ring should cost in the range of a three-month salary.

God bless your lover.
SzwedwPolsce  11 | 1589  
23 Sep 2009 /  #26
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.
Lodz_The_Boat  32 | 1522  
23 Sep 2009 /  #27
Ah ... MY FRIENDDDDDDD ... words... words like honey!!!... lovely words you speak!
OP Goose  1 | 3  
23 Sep 2009 /  #28
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?
JustysiaS  13 | 2235  
24 Sep 2009 /  #29
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.
beazee  - | 31  
24 Sep 2009 /  #30
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.

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