As the classic song goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” And while every woman knows nothing can come between herself and her real-life BFF, the jewelry industry has trained consumers to believe that a woman’s boyfriend, fiancé, or husband should serve as the middleman when the time comes to add a new sparkly diamond friend to her jewelry wardrobe.
However, times are changing, and so should the way women approach (or don’t approach) the jewelry buying process. Long gone are the days of dropping subtle hints to your husband in hopes he’ll get a clue and buy that dazzling sapphire necklace you’ve been lusting after for months. Sure, a beautiful jewelry gift will likely always be welcomed and appreciated by women as a token of their partners’ love. However, with more women in the workforce than ever before, it’s simply no longer necessary to wait around for your spouse to buy your dream jewelry piece when buying it yourself is an easier, often quicker, option.
According to a 2018 study from luxury goods and jewelry consumer research company, MVI Marketing, 51% of millennial women whose household income equals $75,000 or more have started to buy their own jewelry accessories. As noted by Quartz.com, this shift in jewelry purchasing has been gradually happening since the 1980s, when more and more women began entering the workforce and earning a healthy income independent of their partner’s.
While many women may be all-in on the idea of buying necklaces, bracelets, and fashion rings for themselves, some gals may be intimidated by the thought of buying their own engagement ring. If this describes you, allow us to ease your worry: Contributing to or outright purchasing the engagement ring of your dreams isn’t a crazy idea. In fact, it’s fairly genius. Being the primary buyer of your engagement ring ensures the ring you’ll be staring at forever is one you’ll love forever. According to Glamour writer Bethany Rutter, buying her own engagement ring is a decision she’ll never regret. “Think of it this way: I wouldn’t expect or want my partner to choose my wedding dress for me,” Rutter explained.
In addition to making certain you get what you want, buying your own engagement ring is an act of independence that will almost certainly leave you feeling very much like the empowered woman you are. When you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level, don’t wait around for your boyfriend to work up the courage to visit a jewelry store. Instead, hop in your car and make a trip to Van Adams Jewelers, where dozens of dazzling diamond rings are anxiously awaiting their new best friend to take them home.