I really didn’t know where to put this, but considering the classiest people on the net are likely to show up in the SDMB Cafe Society board, well, the answer was obvious once I thought of it.
Anyhow, long introductory sentences aside, here’s the big Q(s):
[ul]
[li]When buying a ring for your female SO (just a romantic gift type thing, which I know she is OK with, and NOT an engagement ring), what does it mean when she says, “I prefer simple rings.”?[/li][li]Also, if you do not know her ring size, how do you find out without tipping her off as to your pending purchase?[/li][/ul]
On the first Q, I know that she doesn’t like rings with multiple gems. She prefers platinum and white gold, also. I was thinking that by ‘simple’ she means a solid band with a single gem, but then I remembered that a while back she showed me a ring that her ex bought her. It was a solid band silver ring with a single gem nonchalantly hanging out on the middle of it.
Here are some handmade rings that are NOT simple. Here are some with single stones that are also not simple.
In contrast, most of the rings here are simple (not that you could tell from the price). Overstock.com has lots of rings at pretty good prices, but you’ll have to sort through heaps of very un-simple rings to find something appropriate. Something like this sapphire one or this pearl one could be to her liking - they’re simple without being plain.
As far as sizing goes, is there any way you could obtain one of her rings? Then you could trace it (both inside and out) and give it to the jeweler. Rings can usually be sized fairly easily, but it would be nicer if it fit straight away.
“Simple” might also mean “simple to wear”, meaning no fidly bits sticking out, catching on her clothes etc. Rings she doesn’t have to take off to go to bed.
What I did with my wife to get her ring size is I put one of her rings on my finger and noted where it fit. One of her rings fits over my pinkie right to the second knuckle. Then when I buy rings, I can try them on my pinkie to see if they fit.
I enlisted the help of one of her friends to find out for me. Girls talk to each other about jewelery and it doesn’t raise as much of a red flag for her friend to ask her what ring size she wears as it would for me.
Thanks for the links, Blue Mood. They’re really helpful.
And thanks for the tips everyone else. I’ve got a better idea now of what to get. Finding out the ring size is going to be difficult, though. She lives in an all-women’s dormitory, so I doubt I’ll have a chance to sneak out a ring. Someone told me though that you can print out ring-size measurements? Then, one night when she’s staying over, I could size her with a slip of paper while she sleeps.
I take my hubby’s ring off all the time and put it on my fingers when we’re playing around. Maybe you could do something like that. Take her hand and slip her ring off, then put it on your finger and pretend to “admire” it. Do a bit of a falsetto “Do you think this matches my eyes darling?” and have a laugh before giving it back. But whilst you’re doing so, take careful note of where the ring fits on your finger. She’ll be none the wiser if you do it right.
Moderator coughs discretely: it’s not the audience, it’s the topic. This really belongs in IMHO, so I’m moving it there. You’ll still get classy answers, I’m sure.
The next time you’re intimate, say “I couldn’t help but notice that your fingers are the same size as this woman with whom I also regularly fornicate. As I was thinking of buying her a ring, perhaps you could tell me your size and it’ll save me having to ask her”. She won’t suspect a thing, and chicks dig the challenge of a rival love interest!
Could you ask one of her friends or roommates (if she has one) for her ring size. They might know (I know my best friend’s from shopping with her) or be able to find out discretely. Many rings have the size inside the band (normally the cheaper the ring, the more like this is). Women inspect each other’s jewelry from time to time, so they could perhaps find out.
Make sure that whatever color stone you go for is a color she’ll like and has clothing to wear it with.
, Hogwash!!!