Learn how to keep the ring safe prior to popping the question.
The stress of picking out the perfect engagement ring, purchasing it (gulp), and then mustering up the courage to propose can make a guy a nervous wreck. Just ask my husband who couldn’t handle hanging onto the ring any longer and popped the question by the bathroom door in my apartment to get rid of it. The results of an internal Jewelers Mutual survey revealed that more than 66% of participants had possession of the engagement ring for less than one week. Even though I didn’t experience the brutal anticipation of proposing myself, I can empathize (and can even understand why being near a bathroom might not be a bad idea).
It makes perfect sense why the proposal brings pressure. According to another recent survey conducted by Jewelers Mutual and featured in USA Today, 35% of people spend between $2,500 and 7,499 on an engagement ring—often coming next in line after the house and car in terms of most valuable household assets.
Proposals gone bad
We all heard the horror stories of proposals going horribly wrong. The guy who arranged for a hot air balloon ride and watched the ring plummet to the ground just has he was about to propose…. The guy who thought it would be romantic to ask for her hand while boating, only to have the ring sink to the bottom of the lake before she could say yes…. The guy who proposed at a clam bake on the beach who wound up digging, and digging, and digging for the diamond ring that would never be found.
If you’re thinking about proposing soon, here are 10 tips to help you get from the store to the proposal with your ring intact.
- DO insure the ring before it leaves the store, like 50% of our survey participants had smartly done. Even if something does happen to it, you’ll be covered and it won’t mean money down the drain. Apply for jewelry insurance and you’ll have 10 days from the application date to send your appraisal documentation to us. Once your information has been accepted, a policy will be issued effective the date you applied online.
- DO keep the ring in the box and store it someplace safe in your home, like a fireproof lock box.
- DO stay grounded. If you do happen to drop the ring, you can more easily recover it on dry land than from the air or water.
- DO let your jeweler hold onto the ring until you’re ready to propose.
- DO use the hotel’s front desk safe, never the in-room safe which can more easily get broken into.
- DON’T put the ring in checked luggage, which can become lost or stolen, including all contents within it. Instead, place the ring in your carryon bag.
- DON’T propose on the beach – rings can too easily get lost in the sand.
- DON’T propose anywhere you have unstable footing – boat, amusement park ride, parachuting, etc.
- DON’T propose in overly crowded areas where the ring could get bumped out of your hand or snatched from a passerby.
- DON’T put the ring in food. It could get lost, or worse yet, choked on. Nothing says “I love you” like a trip to the ER.
The Jewelers Mutual claims department has heard it all – some of the previously mentioned stories are from our very own policyholders. And you’ll be glad to know that Jewelers Mutual replaced the rings, even though the originals never made it to the fiancés’ fingers. The key is making jewelry insurance part of your engagement ring purchase plan. For more information about getting a free, no-obligation quote or applying for insurance online, visit www.InsureYourJewelry.com.
Need inspiration? If you missed the recent post on our Facebook page, watch Matt’s proposal to Ginny (featured on CBS News earlier this week) below. It’s a true work of creative genius! (And a great example of what could be entered into JIC’s Ultimate Proposal Contest.
Congratulations and good luck!
Share your proposal story with us by commenting to this blog post, and don’t forget to enter your story in the Ultimate Proposal Contest TODAY! Contest entry deadline is May 23rd. You could win a Caribbean honeymoon and gorgeous platinum jewelry!