Well...I never saw this coming!

Wow I had no idea about that and yet it still feels wrong not to ask with a ring 

I've heard about this before and I agree. Why do you need a ring to solidify your commitment to one another? I've never been a fan of diamonds to begin with, and I certainly can't see justifying spending THOUSANDS on a hunk of rock. I'd rather use that money for a cool vacation than a ring I would worry about losing. I don't like the current societal expectation we place on rings- as if someone isn't as committed to you because they didn't get you a large ring, or that your worth is somehow tied to a shiny gem.

I agree Willa, but I want that ring so the world knows I'm taken. I would like little gems in it to make it a little more special and feel like mine, but in no way do I want thousands spent on it!!

If I had a big gem I would slice everyone open. We tried it with a fake ring, in less than 15 minutes I'd somehow managed to almost lose my finger, and to make myself and Besnardm (up there) bleed in several places. So a sticky outy ring is no good for me, small embedded gems is the way to go.

And not too expensive cause with my luck I'd lose it. I'd also worry about losing it. I'm just not girly enough to go full on with it ha ha.

A ring is just a symbol, and it can be very valuable to have something showing that you are taken without you having to say anything.  I think people should not feel pressured to buy a ring that is more expensive than they can afford.  It doesn't matter what kind of ring you have, it's the commitment behind it that counts.

YES!! Thanks for explaining, Dancing Lady, that's exactly what I was trying to say ha ha. It's the meaning and sentiment I want more than anything .

I have never had an engagement ring (and never likely to at this point in life), and it has never been a big thing to me.
  I don't really care about jewelry, and what I wear; I wear because I like the looks of it, and not because it is expensive. I only have one or two pieces that are sentimental to me, and neither of those are expensive in the least (comparatively).
One is a pair of earrings that Robin gave me, and it is made from little ovals of wood with white Arabian horses painted on them, and beaded fringe at the bottom.
When I wear them, I feel how much my Robiin (daughter) loves me, and I love them more than anything.

The other piece is actually a ring, and I don't have it anymore. 
When I met Robin's father, he gave me his ring to wear around my neck on a chain (the custom back in the 50's and 60's), and that is what we used when we were married. 
Even though it was only in my jewery box for the all the years we were married after that; I still loved it.

So, I am also of the opinion that it isn''t the price, it is the meaning , that makes the ring important.