question about class rings

[clh2]

UGGH - this is something I've dreaded, alhtough somewhat prepared myslef for.

And I must add - DH is just ticked off about this. His opinion is DH and I have survived just fine without a class ring. WELL...DD is a different person with different opinions, and it doesn't surprise me in the lest that she wants a ring.

My questions - has anyone on the Disboards ever purchased their ring from Walmart? How did it hold up...how does it look etc. Would you do that again, or order through Jooesten's?

And my other question is - I've heard that if you do not get your ring as a sophomore, that Josten's will discount them in future years. Is this true? And what type of discounting are they talking about? Is it anything significant? OR is it just a minimal discount? What I specifically heard is if you order your graduation announcements from Josten's that you can get a REALLY discounted ring at that time.

I've told DD that if she really wants a class ring, we could consider doing this for a Chrimstas present, instead of what we planned to get her. DH still isn't totally on board yet, but I'm working on him.

 

[jewjubean]

I got my class ring from walmart and saved half the price of the ring. I've never taken it off in the two years since I've graduated and I love my ring. I had to pay for it myself so I had to go with something less expensive but I love it!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

My DD graduated in 1997 and we did get her classring from WalMart. At that time WalMart had a much better selection that the provider that the school was using. It has held up fine and still looks perfect.

 

[horseshowmom]

Here's a recent thread - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2303638

I don't blame your daughter for wanting a class ring, but there's no way that I'd spend what they cost through the school. Wal-Mart is a great compromise.

 

[MrsPete]

In addition to Walmart and Jostens, you can also buy class rings from Balfour, Art Carved, Herff-Jones, and a couple other companies (you learn these things when you're a high school teacher). They all have their own deals.

My ring, which I still love, was bought in the early 80s from Art Carved. Their deal is that they re-size it for free for life, and if you later want a college ring you can trade this one in for $25 + this ring.

I know that Jostens does the re-sizing forever, but I don't know their details.

 

[momof1princess]

mine is an art carved, bought through a local jewelry store, and i would never part with it. i don't know what the quality of wal-mart class rings are, but my DH bought his through our school (i believe the brand was herff jones-i know they did our graduation invitations and gowns) and both of ours still look new. back then (late 1980's) the school rings were considered lesser quality and those who could afford it got their rings elsewhere. mine is an amethyst with two small diamonds and DH's is a black onyx. OP, you might check around at some local jewelry stores for prices.

 

[flying_babyb]

with Jostens, mine was 99 bucks my juinor year.

 

[rflorek]

Another opinion for you: I HAD to have a class ring in high school. I wore it one time - my first day of college. It has been in my jewelry box since 1985 - it would've been long gone, but I can't decide what to do with it.

 

[Shmily1]

Even through the companies that come to the schools there are less expensive varieties. I think mine was through Balfour. They do resizing and will fix it if something happens to it. I bought DS19 and DD18's rings through the school too (we all graduated from the same high school). Both DS and DD chose a ring that has diamonds all the way around it with their birthstone in the middle and the school, their names, and other stuff on the sides. DS is a sophomore in college and can't do without his! DD is a freshman in college and she wears hers sometimes, but I don't see her doing with out it. Even though I graduated so many years ago and my ring was only ~$240 then, it still looks great!

 

[ah1126]

I got mine from Wal-Mart about 11 years ago. I wore it my senior year and so while I was in college. It is still in perfect shape. I really wanted it then, but you wear it such a short time, then what do you do with it?

 

[MommyBryn]

Another opinion for you: I HAD to have a class ring in high school. I wore it one time - my first day of college. It has been in my jewelry box since 1985 - it would've been long gone, but I can't decide what to do with it.

I was the same way. I wanted a class ring SO bad. Wore it off and on through HS but never again afterwards. I think mine was just over $100 through Jostens and I chose most of the cheapest options.

 

[goldcupmom]

DD is a Sr. & wanting a ring. Josten's is NOT discounting any more! Cheapest we could get thru them is almost $300! Thinking about thru limoges - she likes very simple & prefers silver/white gold. Have read some reviews on WM.com & they aren't very favorable. Still looking & deciding.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another opinion for you: I HAD to have a class ring in high school. I wore it one time - my first day of college. It has been in my jewelry box since 1985 - it would've been long gone, but I can't decide what to do with it.

I agree with this poster. If she has plans to go to college, once she is there wearing a HS Ring will be an embarrassment.

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

Both of our daughters got diamond/birthstone cluster rings for Christmas presents in their senior years instead of a class ring. They LOVE them and wear them often. I had spoken to them both about this idea instead of a class ring - I told them that mine and their dad's was never worn after our senior year. I remember my best friend's mom gave her a diamond cluster in her senior year and I always thought that was the neatest idea - you can wear it the rest of your life!

My daughter found mine while cleaning her room today (who knows why it was in there???), and I asked her if she regretted not getting a class ring instead of her diamond/sapphire one, and she said she loved her ring and was so glad she got that instead!

Just another idea for you - your DD may not go for it! And it was probably more expensive than the class one, but it was a major part of their Christmas.

 

[Pixieflip]

Both of our daughters got diamond/birthstone cluster rings for Christmas presents in their senior years instead of a class ring. They LOVE them and wear them often. I had spoken to them both about this idea instead of a class ring - I told them that mine and their dad's was never worn after our senior year. I remember my best friend's mom gave her a diamond cluster in her senior year and I always thought that was the neatest idea - you can wear it the rest of your life!

My daughter found mine while cleaning her room today (who knows why it was in there???), and I asked her if she regretted not getting a class ring instead of her diamond/sapphire one, and she said she loved her ring and was so glad she got that instead!

Just another idea for you - your DD may not go for it! And it was probably more expensive than the class one, but it was a major part of their Christmas.

Wow, now this is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[jlima]

I never wore my HS ring after my freshman year of college.

I did get a sorority ring in college, but never wore it after I graduated from college.

I did get a college ring; and I wore it occasionally for 3 - 4 years after college.

Getting the ring from WalMart as a Christmas gift sounds like a great compromise. Have fun shopping!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Another possible compromise would be to have her pay for part or all of the ring. We do this with DD14 on big ticket stuff--say, she wants an iPod, we know a standard MP3 player is a better deal. We'll chip in the cost of the MP3 player, if she wants to "upgrade" to the iPod, she pays the difference. YOu could look at the different options and prices, and find what you think is fair to pay. If she wants a fancier or pricier one, well, she is old enough to kick in from her babysitting money or whatever.

Another thought--is she likely to be going to college? If so, she'll only wear the HS ring until she gets the college one. Just sayin'! It might make sense to get a pricier ring a few years down the line.

 

[clh2]

OP here - thanks for all your feedback!

DD doesn't want a "real piece of jewelry" instead of a class ring. I would prefer this as well.

DD priced out a ring through the Josten's online catalog, and it came out to $150. So - DH and I are now thinking that she can pay for that all by herself. And then we can go back to our original plan of getting her an ipod touch for her main christmas present.

DD is pretty responsible on what things cost, so she picked out the leaset expensive style, metal etc.

 

[zachsmomie]

We just purchased the ring for my son from Jostens. While I realize he may not wear it forever, the Jostens information did say it can be traded in towards his college ring.

 

[Kimmumum]

My DS15 was online today "putting together" his class ring. He says "Hey mom, I got my ring figured out. Wanna see it?" I say "How much is it?" He says "Ummm...... ........ ........ $952". I got up and walked out of the house. I have no idea what it looked like, came with, nothing. I think he fell off his rocker if he thinks that ring is even a slight possibility. The subject hasn't come up again.