$500 for a class ring????

[cteddiesgirl]

My parents bought my HS class ring when I was a sophomore. They paid either $200 or $300 for it in 1988.
Of course, it was real gold as I couldn't wear anything else. But, the design of it didn't look like a regular class ring.

So, I wore mine all the way through college. I haven't worn it in years now, but I still have it.

With gold prices the way they are, I should just see how much I can get for it now. LOL

 

[casndan]

I just bought my college ring, well actually, my mom bought it, we agreed when I was in high school that I would wait until college to get a ring, I'm not sure my mom was aware it would be almost 10 years later but I called her anyways! A promise is a promise! It was very close to 600 dollars, but it's
14K and as long as its taken me to graduate you better believe I'll be wearing it! My mom told me in high school that I wouldn't wear my high school ring after graduation, and I'm pretty positive that she was totally correct on that one, I'm sure if she had bought one it would be in my jewelry box collecting dust!

 

[MichelleVW]

I just paid 275 for my DD's last week, I think she's crazy because we just moved to North Dakota and we are moving again next year, so she is only going to this school for her Junior year. She had it designed with the name of her current school and the mascot of her old school on it.

 

[minnieandme]

I graduated in '89 and paid about $250 for mine. I ordered it through Josten's since that's who my school used. Mine has my initials engraved on the inside, the school's mascot and year on the sides. I wore mine up until I got pregnant with my second DS and it just never fit after that.

 

[MadameLeota]

My class ring, which I got my junior year (2003), was about $100, and I still wear mine just about every day (4 years later)...

But then again I still wear my letter jacket too....it's cute, I'm proud that I got it, and it keeps me warm!!

BTW, got the ring at Walmart, which is what my brother's doing this year too!

 

[kinntj]

I would not pay that kind of money for a class ring. I would give my DD's the option of going to Walmart or a local jewelers for a class ring or getting her a real piece of jewelry be it a watch, diamond earrings, or another ring she could wear longer for that price. Ummm, $500 can help pay for senior class pictures, college application fees, a graduation party, the list goes on and on.

 

[helenabear]

I got a HS class ring in probably 1993 for under $100. I got my college class ring in 1999 for about $125. No way I'd pay that much for a ring. If you want one, go to Walmart and get one for around $100 or so. The prices for class rings you were quoting were rediculous!!!

 

[horseshowmom]

I haven't read the whole thread, but I agree with the ones who said Wal-Mart. DD's class ring came from there and was under $100 (with all the upgrades she wanted). It wasn't real gold, but nobody could tell the difference. It was very pretty.

And, as others have said, they won't wear it past high school. I wouldn't put a lot of money. DH's is gold, and it's been in the jewelry box since he got out of high school.

(I did the same thing when I was in high school except mine came from a jewelry store.)

 

[Camicar]

First of all, I think class rings are a total waste of money. Yes, I had one. And I STILL think they are a total waste of money. When I think of how many hours I worked to pay for that piece of crap that was sitting in a drawer by the time September rolled around -- money I could have used for college, I get irritated all over again. I learned an expensive lesson -- I bought the cheapest one available in 1978 and it cost $250. Considering that minimum wage was $2.10, that was a lot of hours I put in for that piece of crap.

I've already told dd that we will not be paying for one and that she cannot use her money for one. If she wants one, she can have mine resized. But I doubt it's going to come up -- she is practical to a fault, so I can't imagine her wanting one.

 

[kimmikayb]

I guess $500 doesn't surprise me too much. I paid $150 for mine in 1983.

 

[MichelleVW]

First of all, I think class rings are a total waste of money. Yes, I had one. And I STILL think they are a total waste of money. When I think of how many hours I worked to pay for that piece of crap that was sitting in a drawer by the time September rolled around -- money I could have used for college, I get irritated all over again. I learned an expensive lesson -- I bought the cheapest one available in 1978 and it cost $250. Considering that minimum wage was $2.10, that was a lot of hours I put in for that piece of crap.

I've already told dd that we will not be paying for one and that she cannot use her money for one. If she wants one, she can have mine resized. But I doubt it's going to come up -- she is practical to a fault, so I can't imagine her wanting one.

Don't you think that is kind of harsh if she really did want one?? My DD REALLY wants one...I think it's a waste of money, but since she really really really wants one it's coming out of her Christmas money.

I think it's a silly thing to spend money on, but I also think the Chris Brown CD she bought last week was a silly thing to spend money on, but it's her money and I don't care how she spends it. (as long as it's not illegal!!)

 

[LisaNJ25]

Don't you think that is kind of harsh if she really did want one?? My DD REALLY wants one...I think it's a waste of money, but since she really really really wants one it's coming out of her Christmas money.

I think it's a silly thing to spend money on, but I also think the Chris Brown CD she bought last week was a silly thing to spend money on, but it's her money and I don't care how she spends it. (as long as it's not illegal!!)

yep and just a little to controlling...

I bought mine with my own money. I worked and had a job though high school. The money I earned was mine to do with as I pleased. Since there are other alternatives kids do not have to go though the school and pay a fortune. When the time comes I will give my kids a set amount towards a ring.. anything over they will have to pay for.

 

[SeaSpray]

DS16 (junior in high school) got his class ring last year and it cost $460. That was for white gold. Yellow gold was the same price, but he liked the look of the white gold better. I was glad that they let the kids get the rings in their sophomore years now because it's that much longer that they'll wear them. DS said that about half of the kids in his grade got their rings last year, and the rest will them this year.

They had other versions of the ring for less, and they pretty much all looked similar, but made from other metals.

Edited to add: DH and I paid for the ring, just as my parents paid for mine. DH never had a class ring and wishes he had gotten one, but his parents wouldn't let him.

 

[mandy200587]

Mine was around $300, but it's not a typical class ring. It's got a marquise stone in the middle in aquarium. It looks more like an engagement ring in some sorts but it has my school initials on one side and the year I graduated on the other, 2005. Then there are there three fake small diamonds either below or above the engravings. It also has my signature in the band and yes I still wear it everyday.

Oh and the rings are nothing to graduation costs. I think going in order my yearbook then my ring were the cheapest of all my stuff for my senior year.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Class rings are a waste IMHO. Most kids wear them for the rest of the school year and then they'll sit in a jewelry box for the rest of eternity. Or they'll loose them. And if you don't upgrade the ring, they are only 10K which is really like having no gold at all.

I gave my kids the option of getting another piece of jewelry or a good watch.

My oldest chose a heavy gold 18K bracelet (I added $$) that he wore for a couple of years and now that's sitting in a drawer. I wanted to buy a watch for my youngest, but he chose an 18K heavy gold chain that he still wears. I'll give that chain another year before that makes its way to a dresser drawer.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I got a class ring around 1994 or so (class of 1996), and I don't remember how much my parents paid for it. I seem to remember around $250 or $300 -- this is the same design as the one I chose (though mine is white gold with an aquamarine in the center), and it's currently $370 on the Josten's site. I imagine the prices have gone up a bit over the last 13 years.

I still occasionally wear my ring, and I've even worn my letter jacket in the years since high school. I don't think either of those things were a waste of money, and neither do my parents. But of course, everyone must choose what is best for their family, and not worry what everyone else is doing.

 

[cccm]

I didn't get one. One of my sisters did, never saw that after she graduated.

My parents got me a sweet 16 ring instead. Opal and garnets, opals are my birthstone. I still have the ring and am looking to get it reset (my fingers grew about 1/2 size since then).

Might be something to think about as a less expensive alternative.

I had an ex-boyfriend's ring for years. Mailed it back to him the year that I got married. I think he was a little offended that I returned it. I didn't need it and thought his children would want it one day.

 

[Kath2003]

Wow, whilst I don't see the point of spending that kind of money on these things at all, I wouldn't expect a parent to stop their son/daughter spending their own hard-earned money on it? I bought stuff that was way more stupid than a class ring with my money when I was 16/17/18 but I earnt the money so I could do what I wanted with it?

 

[Camicar]

Don't you think that is kind of harsh if she really did want one?? My DD REALLY wants one...I think it's a waste of money, but since she really really really wants one it's coming out of her Christmas money.

I think it's a silly thing to spend money on, but I also think the Chris Brown CD she bought last week was a silly thing to spend money on, but it's her money and I don't care how she spends it. (as long as it's not illegal!!)

A cd costs $15. A class ring costs $450. Big difference.

$450 can also make a big difference when you want spending money for college.

yep and just a little to controlling...

I also wouldn't let her buy a tv for her bedroom, or rap cds with lyrics that glorify the degradation of women, or hoochie mama jeans if she wanted them either. And I wouldn't let her get a tattoo or facial piercings or allow her to have sex in her bedroom in my house. Oh, the horror! To me that's not controlling, that's parenting. I'm willing to say no to things I think are bad ideas when a lot of parents will let their kids do anything they want. If kids were so capable of making good decisions on their own, we wouldn't be legally liable for them until the age of 18.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Heah Cindy, I did a post on this too not long ago. I dont even know what the price was. I reminded ds #2 that my ring was still in the jewlery box aka, useless. He had a job and if he wanted it he could pay for it himself and the money would probably be better spent on future car insurance etc. He agreed with me and saw the light!! I am sure Alex will understand, no matter what the final decision.