Bought one junior year, and yes I actually bought it not my parents. My brother and I actually have matching rings even though we graduated at different times. It was slightly a status thing as @Jamie 2 said, our parents didn't graduate from HS and they're both immigrants so it was sort of a reminder that we achieved what they didn't have the chance to.
I didn't get one for high school. I graduated early so I didn't have senior pictures or anything. However, when I went to college several years later it was a huge deal for me, first in my blue-collar family and all that. My mom and grandma got me one for graduation and I wore it proudly. I was really heavy then so I got a larger ring. Since then I've lost a ton of weight and the ring is way too big, both in size and scale so I just keep it in my jewelry box.
I would have LOVED to have a class ring - but my family couldn't afford it and neither could I. I also missed out on 6th grade camp and playing an instrument all through school for the same reason. Sad but I survived!
I got a college ring - It's a really big deal to get your class ring at my university. I still wear it every day and people recognize it all over the world.
My mom made me get one for high school, so I picked onyx as the stone because it was black. She wasn't impressed. I didn't get one for college, because it wouldn't go with any of my outfits. :P
My parents bought me a class ring toward the end of junior year of high school. We had a junior ring dance semi-formal (prom was only for seniors and their dates) and it was a big deal at my school. I wore it all senior year and then never again.
Not particularly my thing. Plus, I went to three high schools and three JCs before CSU. I don't think I'd've known which one to buy if it had been my thing (plus, Grandma bought me an opal ring for HS, which was my thing. *g*)
I didn't get one for high school, because in my family, graduating from high school isn't really that big of an accomplishment. I considered getting one when I was in college, since I am extremely proud of where I went to school (both because it is highly respected and because it's where my parents met). When I was looking through the catalog though, they didn't have any statistical symbols (to represent my minor) and I didn't like the symbol they had for my major, so I didn't get one. I would have worn it proudly, though.
I have mine from HS--but I went to an all girls private catholic school where there is like an entire ceremony and crap denoting your becoming an upperclasswoman. Symbolic and crap. The ring is the same as it was when the school was founded...and it's ugly as hell.
@Andrea: You wouldn't be an MIT grad by any chance, would you? I'm quite familiar w/the Brass Rat, having a lot of alums in my circle of friends. :-)
I got rings for both high school and college; my parents wanted me to have them, and since (in HS at least) most of my friends did as well, I didn't have any objections. The college ring was daintier and prettier, but unfortunately both rings were stolen around 5 years ago when my apartment was broken into by some crackhead who only stole my jewelry (almost entirely cheap costume stuff) and a Lane Bryant credit card. (No, I'm not making that up, although for the life of me I can't imagine why a crackhead would want plastic from Fat Chicks R Us; based on how they got inside the house, they would have been a small or at least skinny person. Then again, they are crackheads... *sigh*)
Got a high school ring but lost it when I was in my 20s. Didn't get a college ring, just didn't care and school rings don't match my taste in jewelry. But I don't hate on anyone who wears theirs.
My high school had people buy one in freshman year. That never really made sense to me, but I got one. My mom forced me to. I picked one that doesn't look like a typical class ring, it was really delicate and pretty. But it was WAY too big, my mom never got it resized, I eventually lost it, and oh well.
My parents offered to by a class ring or to give me money for a nicer ring from a jewelry store owned by a family friend. I bought a lovely (non class) emerald ring that I still wear regularly.
Negative, my high school and college ring selections were hideous and I would have felt like a complete fool wearing them.
But to each their own. A lot of people wear a lot of shit that I think looks stupid and I am sure others feel the same about me. Especially when I wear that stellar button up tank with zoo animals and a rainforest I got from the thrift store.
@Lola, that's a great idea, I might have to remember that for my own kids.
Yep, I got one, wore all through senior year and then never again. I still have it, but it doesn't fit. I didn't realize I was so tiny, really wish I wouldn't have spent so much time worrying about being fat :D
I should left that for 20 years later when I really am struggling with my weight. Now it's just a depressing reminder, damn you metabolism, thyroid, and old age ;D
I love my HS class ring and still wear it on occasion. It's a black onyx in white gold and it doesn't look like a traditional class ring, which was the look I was going for. It's oval-shaped and I didn't have my school's name put on it, just the year. It's quite lovely, really.
I bought a HS class ring. When my daughter was picking hers out I gave her crap about the stone she picked out, then I got mine out to show her and it was the exact same stone...
My son picked out a gorgeous class ring, kids have way more choices today.
A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY GIFTED MINE FOR ME AND IT WAS LOST IN THE WOOLWORTH BATHROOM WHERE I WORKED IN JUNE OF 1993, VALLEY STREAM NY. IF ANYONE LOCATE A JAMAICA HIGH SCHOOL RING DROP ME A LINE!
I still have mine. I don't wear it, but I don't really want to get rid of it. It's yellow gold with "topaz." Not my school's colors, but it looks neat together and I'm not a fan of yellow gold.
I got one in HS. I had (and still have) ridiculously small fingers. i remember when I was getting measured for it the person measuring was like "OMG you have baby hands!" i don't remember what size I ended up getting but it ended up being too big anyway. But because I was oh so cool (lol) I started wearing it on a chain as a necklace.
Nope. I was offered one from my parents, but I told them I wanted a St. Louis Cardinals ring instead. They asked why and I told them "I was forced to go to Northside for 3 years and hated it, why would I want to remember and honor that? I chose to be a Cardinal fan."
A few years ago my Dad had an accident at work that messed up his hand (he got his hand caught in a packaging machine and it crushed it) and his wedding ring was torn off, so I gave him the Cardinal ring and he wears it to this day as his wedding ring.
I've never been a jewelry wearer, not even watches, so I never bothered with a class ring. I preferred to spend the money on my car (tires, oil changes, etc.).
I bought a high school class ring my junior year and my mom actually saved it and has it stored in her safe deposit box. It was actually really pretty. I found a high school ring YEARS ago in a park and I saved it. My mom has that one stored too - LOL! I believe it was a ring from Class of 52'. I tried to find a way to locate the owner but no luck. At least it's in a safe place and well taken care of years later. You know...I might start digging into the history of it again now that we are on the subject.
plus being from Canada, it was sorda seen as an "American" thing to do, just didn't reflect Canadian kids in '92. parents bought me a (used)car instead.
I got one. Mother of Pearl. It was actually quite pretty. Somewhere along the way it disappeared. I do however have my grandmothers class ring 1927. No stone, but MHS is carved on it. That ring I love.
I agree that they usually are pretty big and bulky which is why I didn't get one. My boyfriend has one, and it means a lot to him (though he never wears it!) cause he struggled in school. Mostly it's a physical reminder of his persistence and success.
I bought my own junior year of high school. It was small compared to a lot I have seen. I wore it senior year then put it in my jewelry box. I have thought about selling it for the gold a few times along with the gold necklaces that belonged to old boyfriends that I never gave back.
We got our rings in Junior year. Had it for about 3 weeks before I gave it to my then boyfriend and he promptly lost it. What made it better was about 3 weeks after he did that, I found him in bed with my best friend. [I wouldn't sleep with him and she was ugly and would.] I still have that guy and it has been better than 30 years since he did that.
Sorry .. to clarify .. that was high school. Didn't buy one .. nor do I think they were offered?? .. for college. College was not a good or happy experience for me .. so I would hardly want any reminders of it. However, I did get a 1990 S10 Blazer for a graduation present. It turned out about as well as my high school ring situation did! Bad dash at 5000 miles .. broken suspension part at about 8000 [and all I ever did was drive it on paved roads!!] and during that repair they found out it has come from the factory with 1/3 the amount of AT fluid it should have had. Ya .. great.
However, the 1991 Maxima I traded that Chevy POS in for was with me til 2006 .. and she is now on the third child of the family I gave her to .. so there is that. ; )
I have my sons class ring catalog in my purse right now. I found it in his room on the floor beside his bed. I texted him to let him know we have to pick a style and his.response was "what's the point". Then I launched into a sob story about how I never got mine andwas looking forward to getting his for him. To which be responded "awwww". I'm going to purchase it andwear it on a chain around my neck. U know like a RAPPER. LOL
I am still waiting for Andrea to tell us where she attended school, lol.
Gosh yes, Enty! It was and is a rite of passage in the midwest. Purchased my sophomore year of HS. and it is a one of a kind, because the jeweler got the lightning bolt is reversed. Have my mother's also still (same school). Purchased for both children - who wore their rings proudly.
I got a regular ring with an aquamarine in it b/c I knew I'd actually wear it after highschool. I wanted a law school grad ring b/c i was proud of actually graduating, but I was too poor by the time grad rolled around and also saving to take the bar.
I didn't want to spend the money on a place I hated so much, but I did get a senior key necklace instead. I debated getting one from my college but really think they are ugly. I think it's a bigger deal for guys, at least in SC anyway.
Class rings are LAME!
ReplyDelete...and usually really, really ugly!
Damn, Dia! You are usually so sweet, but way to offend anyone who has one!
ReplyDeleteSorry @Cathy! It's all of that wine I've been drinking since Blind Item #1. Made me feisty!
Delete;)
Bought the HS ring.... senior year, it was important - after that, not so much.
ReplyDeleteLost it and haven't looked back.
What dia said. I think they appeal mostly to people who think it's a status symbol to show they graduated HS.
ReplyDeleteNope my father gave me a car after each graduation... but I had to keep a B+ average. Much better motivation than a ring!!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't my thing but my sister bought me one anyway. I never wore it unless she was around.
ReplyDeleteBought a high school ring junior year, sold it 20 years later for the gold when I was struggling with supporting three kids.
ReplyDeletePawned mine for beer money back in the day.
ReplyDeleteHigh School but I didn't for College...went to 2 different ones..
ReplyDeleteyes, both. both stolen, along with the rest of my jewelry a few years later.
ReplyDeleteBought one junior year, and yes I actually bought it not my parents. My brother and I actually have matching rings even though we graduated at different times. It was slightly a status thing as @Jamie 2 said, our parents didn't graduate from HS and they're both immigrants so it was sort of a reminder that we achieved what they didn't have the chance to.
ReplyDeleteYep, for high school. Never wore it after graduation, but I still have it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get one for high school. I graduated early so I didn't have senior pictures or anything. However, when I went to college several years later it was a huge deal for me, first in my blue-collar family and all that. My mom and grandma got me one for graduation and I wore it proudly. I was really heavy then so I got a larger ring. Since then I've lost a ton of weight and the ring is way too big, both in size and scale so I just keep it in my jewelry box.
ReplyDeleteI would have LOVED to have a class ring - but my family couldn't afford it and neither could I. I also missed out on 6th grade camp and playing an instrument all through school for the same reason. Sad but I survived!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so harsh, but I hate them. They are gaudy and big and too expensive for (IMO) an ugly piece of jewelry.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't tell, I also hated high school and hated the jocks who wore rings. I rolled with Andie and Duckie from Pretty in Pink.
I'm just happy I grew up and left those days behind. Nothing good about that time of my life. *plays tiny violin*
I got a college ring - It's a really big deal to get your class ring at my university. I still wear it every day and people recognize it all over the world.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, are you an Aggie?
DeleteSame same here... Aggie class of 02
DeleteMy mom made me get one for high school, so I picked onyx as the stone because it was black. She wasn't impressed. I didn't get one for college, because it wouldn't go with any of my outfits. :P
ReplyDeleteMy parents bought me a class ring toward the end of junior year of high school. We had a junior ring dance semi-formal (prom was only for seniors and their dates) and it was a big deal at my school. I wore it all senior year and then never again.
ReplyDeleteNope! I grew up very poor and those rings were very expensive.
ReplyDeleteNot particularly my thing. Plus, I went to three high schools and three JCs before CSU. I don't think I'd've known which one to buy if it had been my thing (plus, Grandma bought me an opal ring for HS, which was my thing. *g*)
ReplyDeleteI got a senior ring that I still wear every day. It is the only ring I have that is tough enough to wear every day.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get one for high school, because in my family, graduating from high school isn't really that big of an accomplishment. I considered getting one when I was in college, since I am extremely proud of where I went to school (both because it is highly respected and because it's where my parents met). When I was looking through the catalog though, they didn't have any statistical symbols (to represent my minor) and I didn't like the symbol they had for my major, so I didn't get one. I would have worn it proudly, though.
ReplyDeleteI have mine from HS--but I went to an all girls private catholic school where there is like an entire ceremony and crap denoting your becoming an upperclasswoman. Symbolic and crap. The ring is the same as it was when the school was founded...and it's ugly as hell.
ReplyDelete@Andrea: You wouldn't be an MIT grad by any chance, would you? I'm quite familiar w/the Brass Rat, having a lot of alums in my circle of friends. :-)
ReplyDeleteI got rings for both high school and college; my parents wanted me to have them, and since (in HS at least) most of my friends did as well, I didn't have any objections. The college ring was daintier and prettier, but unfortunately both rings were stolen around 5 years ago when my apartment was broken into by some crackhead who only stole my jewelry (almost entirely cheap costume stuff) and a Lane Bryant credit card. (No, I'm not making that up, although for the life of me I can't imagine why a crackhead would want plastic from Fat Chicks R Us; based on how they got inside the house, they would have been a small or at least skinny person. Then again, they are crackheads... *sigh*)
She's either an MIT grad or a Texas A&M Alum...the ring is a big deal around here too.
DeleteNo worries, Dia! It just caught me off guard to see anything un-sweet coming from you!
ReplyDeleteI love jewelry but I didn't like the class rings, not my style.
ReplyDeleteNot a jewelry guy, so nope.
ReplyDeleteNot my thing.
ReplyDeleteGot a high school ring but lost it when I was in my 20s. Didn't get a college ring, just didn't care and school rings don't match my taste in jewelry. But I don't hate on anyone who wears theirs.
ReplyDeleteGod yes I got one and still have it. That was years ago, these days it doesn't seem important.
ReplyDeleteMy high school had people buy one in freshman year. That never really made sense to me, but I got one. My mom forced me to. I picked one that doesn't look like a typical class ring, it was really delicate and pretty. But it was WAY too big, my mom never got it resized, I eventually lost it, and oh well.
ReplyDeleteMy parents offered to by a class ring or to give me money for a nicer ring from a jewelry store owned by a family friend. I bought a lovely (non class) emerald ring that I still wear regularly.
ReplyDeleteInstead of a class ring, I got a wedding ring, less than 2 weeks after I graduated. Still married to the same great guy, too. :)
ReplyDeleteNegative, my high school and college ring selections were hideous and I would have felt like a complete fool wearing them.
ReplyDeleteBut to each their own. A lot of people wear a lot of shit that I think looks stupid and I am sure others feel the same about me. Especially when I wear that stellar button up tank with zoo animals and a rainforest I got from the thrift store.
@Lola, that's a great idea, I might have to remember that for my own kids.
ReplyDeleteYep, I got one, wore all through senior year and then never again. I still have it, but it doesn't fit. I didn't realize I was so tiny, really wish I wouldn't have spent so much time worrying about being fat :D
I should left that for 20 years later when I really am struggling with my weight. Now it's just a depressing reminder, damn you metabolism, thyroid, and old age ;D
I love my HS class ring and still wear it on occasion. It's a black onyx in white gold and it doesn't look like a traditional class ring, which was the look I was going for. It's oval-shaped and I didn't have my school's name put on it, just the year. It's quite lovely, really.
ReplyDeleteI bought a HS class ring. When my daughter was picking hers out I gave her crap about the stone she picked out, then I got mine out to show her and it was the exact same stone...
ReplyDeleteMy son picked out a gorgeous class ring, kids have way more choices today.
A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY GIFTED MINE FOR ME AND IT WAS LOST IN THE WOOLWORTH BATHROOM WHERE I WORKED IN JUNE OF 1993, VALLEY STREAM NY. IF ANYONE LOCATE A JAMAICA HIGH SCHOOL RING DROP ME A LINE!
ReplyDeleteI still have mine. I don't wear it, but I don't really want to get rid of it. It's yellow gold with "topaz." Not my school's colors, but it looks neat together and I'm not a fan of yellow gold.
ReplyDeleteI got one in HS. I had (and still have) ridiculously small fingers. i remember when I was getting measured for it the person measuring was like "OMG you have baby hands!" i don't remember what size I ended up getting but it ended up being too big anyway. But because I was oh so cool (lol) I started wearing it on a chain as a necklace.
ReplyDeleteThey had a charm bracelet ring version when I graduated HS. Beautifully detailed ring . Still have it on my bracelet.
ReplyDeleteNope. I was offered one from my parents, but I told them I wanted a St. Louis Cardinals ring instead. They asked why and I told them "I was forced to go to Northside for 3 years and hated it, why would I want to remember and honor that? I chose to be a Cardinal fan."
ReplyDeleteA few years ago my Dad had an accident at work that messed up his hand (he got his hand caught in a packaging machine and it crushed it) and his wedding ring was torn off, so I gave him the Cardinal ring and he wears it to this day as his wedding ring.
I've never been a jewelry wearer, not even watches, so I never bothered with a class ring. I preferred to spend the money on my car (tires, oil changes, etc.).
ReplyDeleteDidn't bother. Knew I'd never wear it again the day after graduation.
ReplyDeleteYes to both. I went to an Ivy League college on scholarship and I wore that damn ring until it wore out!
ReplyDeleteIt was never my thing.
ReplyDeleteThey were ugly and looked too man-ish.
They were too expensive.
No! Never even thought about buying one.
ReplyDelete@Mizzou - You are right - Texas A&M grad. Can't leave home without the ring.
ReplyDeleteYes I bought one in high school with my own money but like others here it was stolen. Wonder where it is now.
ReplyDeleteI bought a high school class ring my junior year and my mom actually saved it and has it stored in her safe deposit box. It was actually really pretty. I found a high school ring YEARS ago in a park and I saved it. My mom has that one stored too - LOL! I believe it was a ring from Class of 52'. I tried to find a way to locate the owner but no luck. At least it's in a safe place and well taken care of years later. You know...I might start digging into the history of it again now that we are on the subject.
ReplyDeletebought the ring, never wore it, ended up selling it. dont miss it.
ReplyDeletefuck no! that shit is ugly.
ReplyDeleteplus being from Canada, it was sorda seen as an "American" thing to do, just didn't reflect Canadian kids in '92.
parents bought me a (used)car instead.
yes, but I left it by a pool and it was gone... sadface
ReplyDeleteI got one. Mother of Pearl. It was actually quite pretty. Somewhere along the way it disappeared. I do however have my grandmothers class ring 1927. No stone, but MHS is carved on it. That ring I love.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they usually are pretty big and bulky which is why I didn't get one. My boyfriend has one, and it means a lot to him (though he never wears it!) cause he struggled in school. Mostly it's a physical reminder of his persistence and success.
ReplyDeleteNope. Ugly ass hell!
ReplyDeleteYes, my parents got me one and I promptly lost it in my 20's also.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want one for HS---hate that place and graduated a year early.
ReplyDeleteMy parents insisted I get one for college since I was the first in my family to graduate with a degree.
Mine is very dainty and subtle with a ring of diamonds around the school seal done in gold.
Did not get one for masters.
I bought my own junior year of high school. It was small compared to a lot I have seen. I wore it senior year then put it in my jewelry box. I have thought about selling it for the gold a few times along with the gold necklaces that belonged to old boyfriends that I never gave back.
ReplyDeleteWe got our rings in Junior year. Had it for about 3 weeks before I gave it to my then boyfriend and he promptly lost it. What made it better was about 3 weeks after he did that, I found him in bed with my best friend. [I wouldn't sleep with him and she was ugly and would.] I still have that guy and it has been better than 30 years since he did that.
ReplyDeleteSorry .. to clarify .. that was high school. Didn't buy one .. nor do I think they were offered?? .. for college. College was not a good or happy experience for me .. so I would hardly want any reminders of it. However, I did get a 1990 S10 Blazer for a graduation present. It turned out about as well as my high school ring situation did! Bad dash at 5000 miles .. broken suspension part at about 8000 [and all I ever did was drive it on paved roads!!] and during that repair they found out it has come from the factory with 1/3 the amount of AT fluid it should have had. Ya .. great.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the 1991 Maxima I traded that Chevy POS in for was with me til 2006 .. and she is now on the third child of the family I gave her to .. so there is that. ; )
We don't have class rings in England
ReplyDeleteI wore my mom's all through hs and loved it, never got one of my own.
ReplyDeleteI have my sons class ring catalog in my purse right now. I found it in his room on the floor beside his bed. I texted him to let him know we have to pick a style and his.response was "what's the point". Then I launched into a sob story about how I never got mine andwas looking forward to getting his for him. To which be responded "awwww". I'm going to purchase it andwear it on a chain around my neck. U know like a RAPPER. LOL
ReplyDeleteNope, I got a wedding ring- I was a child bride!
ReplyDeleteOh God no. They are hidi and why would I want to advertise that I went to Catholic HS?
ReplyDeleteI am still waiting for Andrea to tell us where she attended school, lol.
ReplyDeleteGosh yes, Enty! It was and is a rite of passage in the midwest. Purchased my sophomore year of HS. and it is a one of a kind, because the jeweler got the lightning bolt is reversed. Have my mother's also still (same school). Purchased for both children - who wore their rings proudly.
My parents used my high school money for themselves (mom) or to invest in their business (dad), so I didn't get a HS class ring.
ReplyDeleteThey were very into themselves back then.
I got a regular ring with an aquamarine in it b/c I knew I'd actually wear it after highschool. I wanted a law school grad ring b/c i was proud of actually graduating, but I was too poor by the time grad rolled around and also saving to take the bar.
ReplyDeleteI bought a high school class ring for my pinkie. I can't believe it ever fit me! LOL
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to spend the money on a place I hated so much, but I did get a senior key necklace instead. I debated getting one from my college but really think they are ugly. I think it's a bigger deal for guys, at least in SC anyway.
ReplyDelete