Engagement Ring for a Russian Woman

Originally Posted by GaryM

Thanks Chris

I guess I should have done a search first

Originally Posted by sidney

My MIL gave the wife a diamond ring that was passed down thru the family because she didn't feel safe wearing it on the street. My wife had a friend that was given a beautiful neckless for an engagement gift. One day she forgot to put it inside her shirt while on the strret and it was torn from her by some petty thief. So yes it can be a potential target for theft it least more so then in america.
Sid

Originally Posted by GaryM

Which confirms my worst fears

Most robbers are only after one thing which is money and jewellery so with the ring insured she could just hand it over to (hopefully) avoid getting hurt without having to worry about how much it cost. The insurance would then cover it for replacement.

Far from ideal as I would still be very unhappy about the potential safety issue and the trauma involved if she ever got robbed when the only intention is to do the romantic thing by giving her a diamond engagement ring as a token of your love and commitment towards her

Originally Posted by GaryM

There is some interesting reading in the old discussions that Chris posted links to and it seems that at the end of the day the left-hand/right-hand thing with the rings is just down to personal preference...I guess I would just have to ask her

One thing that the discussions don't seem address is the aspect of the security of your lady walking around Russia with an expensive diamond on her hand which is something that would worry me slightly.

Also, there is the issue of insuring such a ring in Russia which does not seem to be discussed anywhere either. Can this be done and if so then how expensive is it (generally)? I know that after telling my GF in a past conversation that I had a digital camera replaced through my insurance policy after I damaged my old one she seemed a little surprised that the insurance company just replaced it...well surely that is what insurance is for is it not? Does this mean that insurance doesn't work the same way in Russia? There would obviously be no point in insuring a ring if it wasn't properly covered but it would also seem risky not to insure such an expensive item at all. Does anyone have any experience of this because it seems quite an important thing for anyone thinking of getting their RW a traditional western engagement ring.

Originally Posted by GaryM

I know that Russian tradition doesn’t actually involve engagements as such but how many guys on here have actually gone through an "official" engagement with their RW? And did you get her a diamond engagement ring? I know my lady would love a proper engagement…well the ring part of it at least but I’m wondering how common an offical engagement is with a Russian woman before marriage which we all know usually happens only a matter of months after you've proposed anyway.

For the guys who did get engaged and bought their lady a diamond ring, which hand did she put the ring on? I know that Russian tradition for the wedding ring is the right hand but what about a non-traditional engagement ring? This could be an issue especially if you are planning a surprise and the ring finger on each hand is a slightly different size.

Finally, there is the safety issue to consider because obviously not many Russian women will be prancing around Russia flashing diamond engagement rings on their hand so it might make her an obvious mugging target. Is this likely to be a problem?

I'd appreciate anyone's views and advice on the above questions