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Dear Breakup Girl,

Should I be angry that my boyfriend got me the same type of sapphire ring that he got his last girlfriend? He claims that it's his favorite kind of gem.

-- Amy

Dear Amy,

Ooh, is your boyfriend Prince Charles? 'Cause Diana -- Queen Mother rest her soul -- had a big blue rock if I've ever seen one.

But in any case, no, you shouldn't necessarily be angry that he got you the same type of ring that he got his last girlfriend; you should be angry if he got you ... confused with his last girlfriend. Or, say, if he got you the sapphire because it reminds him of her. Otherwise, though, well yes, it's a little tacky ... but it may be simply that he, while generous, is just not all that creative in the "Gifts and Accessories" department.

Still, I'd like to hold a couple other facets of your question up to the light? First of all, how do you know it's the same ring? Just as there's really no reason why BG should retain detailed knowledge about the Princess' jewelry collection, there's really no reason why you should know in the first place that this gift idea is a recycled one. Too much information in the ex department, I say. Maybe I'm overreacting, but either someone's asking too many questions, or someone's offering too many unsolicited answers -- meaning that perhaps the ex, ring or no ring, is still an issue. Second, unless this guy really is royalty of some sort, what is he doing throwing precious gems around? Call me old-fashioned/a slave to symbolism, but in my day, a ring was a big thing. Indicating some kind of, you know, commitment. If he'd given you two the same type of flower, the same brand of chewing tobacco, well, that would be one thing. But I'm just wondering why he's given out two fancy rings at all, never mind what kind. It just seems a little over the top. So if I were you, I'd just look to make sure that that big blue bauble's in a nice strong setting. Is he a prince of a guy? Does he give you the same type of gifts -- honor, respect, affection, fun -- that anyone should give any girlfriend? He's the gem you should be appraising.

Love,
Breakup Girl

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