The ring or me?

Recently, I am surrounded with friends that are getting married. And with proposals of engagements, comes along the ultimate question: "How big is the ring?" It seems to me that 0.5 carat is a minimum standard of today's market. 0.8 carat is considered lucky. 1.0 carat is a blessing.

I for one, agree to men's exasperated plea of: "Oh baby, it's just another rock!" Maybe it's because I am not experiencing it myself yet. Or maybe it's because I am yet a fan of diamonds. Or perhaps I simply think it is ridiculous to spend Aus 10,000 on a 1.0 carat diamond ring. Not to mention the upcoming wedding costs of the wedding dress, the dinner, the decorations, honeymoon, bla, bla, bla..

I'd rather spend a bomb on my honeymoon to Paris, sit the gondola boat in Venice & pamper ourselves with first-class hotel & romantic dinners.

Sometimes I can't help but wonder, is the 1 carat ring really a symbol of love and sacrifice of yr fiance or is it merely just another ring? Are we getting married to the man who we wanna spend the rest of our life with or are we getting married to the engagement ring?