e-mail to a friend in needToo bad to keep, too good to hock
Via BG’s alter ego at Broadsheet:
What to do with that old engagement ring? You know, after you whip it at your lying, cheating ex-fiancé?
Keepsake? Yeah, right. EBay? So impersonal. Pirates? That’ll only do more damage.
Now, as today’s New York Times reports, there may be a more appealing option: an auction site called ExBoyfriendJewelry.com (tag line: “You don’t want it. He can’t have it back”).
At first glance, I cringed. After all, I consider most public expressions of us vs. him (or her) anti-ex bitterness to be inelegant, tacky, TMI. That said, I will also give a pass to just about anything with real humor and heart. And this site, I must admit (which is not hetero-only), has inspired some gems of poignant free verse.
The description for some Celtic knot earrings: “At some point, he began to take fabulous trips to Ireland. Without me.” For an engagement ring and wedding band: “Hey, Mom and Dad. Remember that time I got married really young?” (Her offer: “I can’t pay you back for the wedding, but I’ll split whatever I get for these with you.”) For an emerald ring, this novella: “It was 1989 on Long Island. Poison and Paula Abdul were battling for the top billboard spots. He was 19, drove a white honda crx and rocked skidz; I smoked marlboro lights and lied about my age of 14. We fell in love over whoppers and the run dmc that pumped out of his ridiculously large speakers. When he bought me this emerald and diamond ring from Sears, it was probably the single best thing that had ever happened to me. I wore it all up and down that high school with pride. But soon enough, it was time to trade my gold for silver as the 80s gave way to the 90s. I got into Nirvana and Ani DiFranco and it was clear that an ocean of Drakkar Noir lay between us.”
And, for some clip-on earrings: “Clip ons. Clip ons!”
There’s also an area of the site for “Gifts That Should Have Been Jewelry.”
I see just one pitfall, really: the perhaps inevitable description reading “I dumped him because he bought my engagement ring used from this site!”
What do you do with a laptop that is approximately 2 years old?
seriously.
Comment by Barbara — April 25, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Just remember about the engagement ring received from the ex: In some states, an engagement ring must be returned if the recipient calls off the marriage. In these states, it is not considered a gift, but part of an agreement, the other part of which is the recipient’s promise to marry. If that promise is not kept, the ring goes back.
This by no means applies to jewelry given as a gift, and does not apply to all states, and I am not a lawyer.
Comment by John — April 29, 2008 @ 7:38 am
Completely agree with the above post.
You have to give the ring back. And I am glad this is the case. I am not certain to the percentage of states that aggressively enforce this law; however, every state should. And no I am not married nor have I asked someone to marry me. But, some women, and men for that matter, are so hurt that they loose their minds. They toss the ring in the water, sell it to the pawn shop, place it on ebay, or even make another piece or jewerly. Foolishness! Legally you have to give the ring back. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want but your ass will pay in the long run. So, give the ring back. It saves you the embarassment of having to go to court as a woman or man scorned.
Peace love and happiness!
Comment by Reggie — April 29, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
[...] First we heard about ExBoyfriendJewelry.com. Now we hear, via the Boston Globe, that both online and off, sales of emotionally-tarnished gewgaws have actually created a mini “ex-boyfriend economy” unto itself. Helping fuel the reportedly “unprecedented assault on jewelry boxes and dresser drawers,” apparently, are the currently “record prices for precious metals.” [...]
Pingback by Breakup Girl » From heartbreak to Hermes — May 30, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Nice post about engagement rings and your collection about engagement ring is also very cool.
Thanks for such a beautiful coolection.
Comment by Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring — February 4, 2009 @ 4:57 am
[...] rings” has gone through the roof. Perhaps would-be knee-benders should also consider recycling? Tags: economy, engagement rings, money, stuff, Valentine’s Day [...]
Pingback by Breakup Girl » For poorer — February 11, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Lol, Really nice information, no one would have thought about this topic but its right by all the way. From my point of view why to waste it, surely should auction it.
Comment by Infibeam — September 11, 2009 @ 8:36 am
I’d say, keep the ring and have it hammered or custom-made to a piece of jewelry that goes with any outfits. That’s what I did when I broke off our engagement. I was going for james allen diamonds that were way to valuable to let go. Now I have a pair of diamond earrings that I wear to any occassion.
Comment by Minny Smiths — January 12, 2010 @ 10:55 am
Nicely played, Minny!
THanks for visiting/posting - come back anytime!
Comment by BG — January 12, 2010 @ 11:14 am
This is a great idea.
Comment by white gold diamond earring — January 17, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
I sold a ring to http://www.EngagementRingCycling.com after unsuccessfully trying to get it sold through exboyfriendjewelry. Just my two cents.
Comment by Reba — August 10, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
very good site and info that you give to us, but I didn’t find any social networking like twitter to follow. this help us like the visitor for quickly update your site info. thank for nice sharing
Comment by eheringe platin — November 11, 2010 @ 5:52 am
twitter.com/breakup_girl !
Comment by BG — November 11, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
jewelry is one of the oldest forms of beautification and personal adornment. Nowadays, it is extremely uncommon for anyone to be without a piece of jewelry that they own. From brooches to wedding rings to cuff links, jewelry has become an important part of everyday life and fashion.Here you’ll find the Top jewellery websites, gold, diamond, fashion jewellery. light weight,traditional and antique jewellery in gold, diamond and platinum.
Jewelry has been a regular feature across history, beginning in ancient times and continuing to this day.
Comment by nacklace — July 19, 2011 @ 2:38 am