What kind of engagement ring is she expecting?

by Rich
(America)

I have a Chinese girlfriend who lives in Shanghai and we are very much in love. We have already discussed marriage and I am taking a trip to Shanghai in February of this year to see her. And I definitely want to marry her and I know quite a bit about Chinese culture.

What I don't know about is the Engagement process in regards to Chinese women.

I am American, and in America it is all about the size and cost of the ring, not about the real meaning of the ring (that this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, and the ring is a promise of that).

So I would like to give my girlfriend an engagement ring but I don't even know if it's necessary and/or what type of ring. A diamond/colored diamond/gemstone/pearl or what size?

My girlfriend has very good taste and I want it to be a surprise but I am lost in this regards.

Is there a tradition in Chinese culture when it comes to the engagement ring process (such as the man buys a certain kind of ring)? In America it is almost always a diamond ring, usually half a carat or larger, and like I said the bigger the better.

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Rich





Answer:

Ni hao Rich,

Highly appreciate your email and your interest in our website!

From your question, you mentioned you two have already discussed marriage, Congratulations! Wish you and your girlfriend live happily ever after!

As a matter of fact, in traditional China, when people get married they seldom wear rings. Especially women, who usually wear gold or silver bracelets engraved with a dragon or phoenix. So, no, there isn't any tradition for an engagement ring.

Only in recent decades, Chinese people began to wear rings when they are going to get married following the Western cultures.

As for how to choose the color, size and material for her engagement ring – you said your girlfriend has very good taste. You can choose the color and material according to her taste.

Nowadays, in China, often people also buy a diamond ring as an engagement ring, just like you guys. If you can bear the expense, the bigger the diamond the better. Just like we usually say: “Yes, money alone doesn't mean you love her...but how much you spend on her shows how much you love her.”

If you can afford one like the diamond ring that Vivi Nevo bought for Zhang Ziyi, I am sure that would be a big surprise to her. She would be greatly flattered!

Any more questions, just feel free to contact me.

Best regards,