A third of Brits reveal they prefer alternative engagement rings

More than a third of Brits have disclosed that they’d rather receive an alternative to a traditional engagement or wedding ring 

According to research undertaken by jewellery insurer Protect Your Bubble, 37% of Brits would prefer not to receive a traditional wedding or engagement ring. The top alternatives were signet rings, with 22% stating they’d rather receive one; following behind were necklaces, bracelets, and watches. Holidays and home improvements were also named as top choices for an alternative to a pricey ring.

In another shift from tradition, just four in 10 Brits who proposed surprised their partner by selecting the engagement ring themselves. Out of those who didn’t choose their own engagement ring, however, only 56% said that they loved it.

Furthermore, although second marriages are now relatively common, the research showed that they seem to dictate a significantly smaller budget. While couples spend almost five weeks’ wages on engagement rings in first marriages, that drops to just 1.3 weeks’ wages in second marriages.

James Brown, director of Protect Your Bubble, said:“We’ve been drifting away from conventional notions of weddings and marriages for some time now – the bride’s family are no longer expected to cover the entire cost of the wedding, for example, and nor are women expected to wear a veil when they walk down the aisle.

“But to find that such a significant number of Brits would prefer to receive something else instead of a traditional ring is really quite surprising. While many Brits appear to be straying away from engagement or wedding rings, the majority of those have opted for another piece of jewellery or watch as an alternative. These will still hold a significant sentimental value – not to mention price tag – so good care needs to be taken to keep this safe and in good condition.

“You should clean jewellery regularly to remove everyday dirt. How you take care of your jewellery will vary depending on the metal it’s made from, so do your research to avoid damaging the jewellery with any harsh or corrosive chemicals.

“It’s easy to catch or break a bracelet or a necklace that doesn’t sit as close to the skin, so you should be careful of such accidental damage. A comprehensive insurance policy can protect against this alongside theft and loss, so look into taking out an appropriate policy as soon as any jewellery is purchased.”