Haven't read through the thread as wanted to put my thoughts first, before reading others experiences/thoughts.
My first, mid 20s, was with haribo rings, then my mother gave me her ring. I couldn't have cared less and loved my mother's ring (from her first marriage) unfortunately, my first marriage broke down (although ex H will never know I regret it massively) mums ring sits in a jewellery box.
I have been engaged for a couple of years now. Its a been sometimes a challenging relationship, when he proposed, it was in our living room, me with a migrane and clearly having an argument with my sons father. The ring is "cheap" £60 or so. I remember at the time being so upset about the whole thing, I think at the time it may even had been my first mumsnet post, I got mixed response s, some telling me that I was lucky, some understanding.
Now I think about it, the ring is quite thoughtful. At the time we had not long been to a beach looking for sea glass. The ring is brown Sea glass in either a silver or white gold setting.
At the time, I was disappointed, with the asking of me, we like to go on walks, in my mind, it could have been something as simple as that. However, like I say, I was asked mid argument with my sons father, with headache in pjs, i as gutted that night.
However... after some time, I realised, my partner was actually sitting himself that night, he wanted to take me out for a meal, but me, being in a bad mood said no... he asked me out of being so scared, knowing he had this ring. I could feel something big was going to happen, and I regret me reaction to him asking to this day.
He had thought of something I would like, he was nervous, he asked me because he couldn't hold it in anymore.
I love old jewellery, I love vintage, I love history, I wasn't what I pictured.
But now, when I think about it. I love my £60 ring. I love that he was so nervous and in love, that's all he could do but blurt out, at my very worst, that he wanted me to marry him.
Things have been up and down over the years (yes, we are still not married) and we went through something big that saw me throwing the ring at him, which actually got run over by a car. Very embarrassing... however, by some luck, nobody picked it up.... and now it sits on my finger, slightly bent, and reminds me marriage is never perfect, never easy, but its what you make it, and if you can get through things together.
Money, really means nothing.