Engagement Ring Sales Still Strong In Today's Economy

Recent data shows that Jewelry stores nationwide report a sharp decline in sales across all categories except one, Engagement rings. Engagement rings have held steady over several years. This is because this is not a luxury purchase but a necessary and purposeful purchase. The number of engagement rings sold in 2008 has held steady with past years sales but the size of the diamonds has shrunk. People are still getting married, as in better economic times, but they are doing it on a budget. Florists, caterers, and many ancillary wedding vendors are reporting that couples tying the knot are opting to do many of these services themselves or sharply curtail their spending on such services. Couples are deciding to make their own centerpieces and have cold cuts over a sit down surf and turf dinner. In a related side note: Divorce attorneys are reporting a decline in divorces being filed for.

With money issues being one of the leading causes for divorce one would think that hard economic times would lead to a rise in splits among couples. The opposite is holding true. Couples are choosing ( many times out of sheer necessity) to stay together. The added costs of divorce and maintaining two separate households is proving impossible in the face of recession. The lack of money and credit that is facing couples today are forcing them to work out their differences instead of giving up on the marriage. It just goes to show that adversity can many times show you what is really important in life.