Personally, I can never understand the fuss about a big clonker of an engagement ring and think that they are a complete waste of money. I never bought my wife one, instead spent the cash on a custom made wedding ring. October is our 20th anniversary.............

Rings, like Valentine's day are a rather modern bit of Western culture. Before the 20th century, other types of betrothal gifts were common. (Wiki).....Before the end of the 19th century, the bride-to-be frequently received a sewing thimble rather than an engagement ring. This practice was particularly common among religious groups that shunned jewellery. Engagement rings didn't become standard in the West until the end of the 19th century, and diamond rings didn't become common until the 1930s. Now, 80% of American women are offered a diamond ring to signify engagement.

Go with the thimble, I am intrigued to know what happens

Matt