Helzberg Debuts 'Will You?' Proposal Ring

RAPAPORT... Helzberg Diamonds has launched the "Will You?" ring, a $50placeholder for proposing that enables couples to choose an engagement ringtogether at a later stage. Some 73% of men and 63% of women in relationships believemarriage proposals should be a surprise, the jeweler said, citing a survey itcarried out in May. However, of those, 62% of men said the most difficult partof the proposal was picking out a ring, and 50% of the women said the hardest aspectwas letting their significant others know what style they wanted. To that end, the "Will You?" band serves as a way to surprise someone with a proposal, yet still look for an official ring as a couple, explains the pamphlet that comes with it. It also offers suggestions for presenting the ring, suchas, "You're the one. But this ring isn't. Let's pick one out together." It comesin a traditional box inscribed with the words, "The first of manythings we'll do together." The band inside says, "This is a ring, not thering." "The old rules of engagement simply don't resonate with manyof today's couples, who are seeking ways to create new traditions thatcelebrate their love and bring them closer together," Beryl Raff, chairwomanand CEO of Helzberg, said Monday. "The 'Will You?' ring helps merge the belovedtraditions of a romantic surprise proposal with a desire for jointdecision-making." Helzberg is also aiming to encourage couples to stay withthe brand for their future engagement-ring purchase. Customers who buy the proposalpiece will receive a $200 discount off rings priced between $999 and $1,998 atHelzberg stores, or a $400 reduction for rings that cost more than $1,999.Image: Helzberg Diamonds