Engagement Ring Doesn't Fit - Will This Alarm Consulate?

[Bugs 455]

Hi, I'm an American male with a Filipina fiance. We were wondering if the fact that her engagement ring is a size and a half too large would alarm the consulate during her K-1 interview. We plan on getting it resized once she moves here to the US since it has a wedding band that goes with it. For now she can wear a rubber adapter around the base to make it fit, but which would probably be visible.

[TBoneTX 45,324]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to Philippines regional subforum -- not a true process question; requires embassy-specific answer. ***

[Bugs 455]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to Philippines regional subforum -- not a true process question; requires embassy-specific answer. ***

Thank you.

[TBoneTX 45,324]

Thank you.

Welcome.

[Artisan 138]

Hi, I'm an American male with a Filipina fiance. We were wondering if the fact that her engagement ring is a size and a half too large would alarm the consulate during her K-1 interview. We plan on getting it resized once she moves here to the US since it has a wedding band that goes with it. For now she can wear a rubber adapter around the base to make it fit, but which would probably be visible.

I doubt they'd even notice. It's not uncommon to not wear an engagement ring here, especially if you are outside a lot or working with your hands. Michelle only wears her wedding ring most of the time since she doesn't want to attract the attention of local criminals and is scared to death of damaging her other rings when she does laundry.

As a side note, it's funny trying to get a ring that will fit a Filipina's finger in the US. My jeweler sold me a platinum ring with six faceted diamonds (that I gave Michelle as a promise ring) for a steal just because it was so small she didn't think she'd be able to sell it to anyone else and she hated the idea of scrapping the ring. I bought her actual engagement ring and our wedding rings in Ongpin (the jewelry district of Divisoria) since it was easier to find rings to fit our fingers locally. While many people might shy away at buying jewelry in the Philippines, Michelle knew just the right places to shop (her job required an intimate knowledge of almost every legitimate vendor in Divisoria and Baclaran). I know gemstones as well and was able to find a perfect ruby engagement ring made of 18k gold with ten tiny faceted diamonds for $200. When I tried to get some matching earrings made in the US my jeweler was very unhappy that she was unable to acquire natural rubies of high enough quality to match the ring. So if you can find a trusted buyer to help you out you can find some great bargains in Manila.

[Brandon and Sugar 8]

Hi, I'm an American male with a Filipina fiance. We were wondering if the fact that her engagement ring is a size and a half too large would alarm the consulate during her K-1 interview. We plan on getting it resized once she moves here to the US since it has a wedding band that goes with it. For now she can wear a rubber adapter around the base to make it fit, but which would probably be visible.

I don't think that would be a problem. The engagement ring that my fiance gave to me was also a bit big to me so I'm wearing it with my middle finger cos I'm scared of losing it lol but once I arrive in US my husband to be is going to have it resized.

Edited January 3, 2013 by Brandon and Sugar

[raf.luv.leah 5]

No, it will not be a problem. I passed my K-1 visa interview at the Manila US Embassy today and my engagement ring is also a size too large. Don't worry. Everything will be okay. :-)

[Tintin and Mike 127]

We got approved and we didn't show any proof of engagement ring

Good luck!

[Caryh 5,206]

My wife had what looked more like a wedding band than an engagement ring when she did her interview for K-1. It had one tiny inset diamond chip. I didn't want her walking around with a big diamond in the Philippines, people have lost fingers over things like that there. I had a USA style diamond engagement ring to surprise her on arrival in the USA. They did not bring up her ring at all.

[actob99 156]

Just don't wear it if your both worried. USEM doesn't care about a ring. It might get lost if a loose fit.

I did the same and got it resized here,. I found it amusing that no jewelry shops there that we went to wanted to make some extra money resizing her ring. I didn't care about the cost. Nope, only if I bought a ring there. It happened at 5 different places.

And they wonder why the have issues mAKing money???

[Tahoma 2,292]

Chinook had her ring resized in the Philippines before her interview. At her interview, the consular officer didn't mention anything about her ring.

I seriously doubt that your fiancée would have a problem with the consular officer.

[Caryh 5,206]

I did the same and got it resized here,. I found it amusing that no jewelry shops there that we went to wanted to make some extra money resizing her ring. I didn't care about the cost. Nope, only if I bought a ring there. It happened at 5 different places.

And they wonder why the have issues mAKing money???

It can be pretty amazing to me how poor of business practices go on there. Its like they want to go out of business. One thing I noticed when we were shopping for clothes for my wife there, we went to a ton of shops that had only size large left. All the smalls and mediums had been sold out. The ever helpful clerks would keep trying to tell my wife that she should buy the larges anyway because it they were nice LOL. I could only surmise they brought in all this stock when they opened, quickly sold out all the sizes that actually fit the women in their country, and then refuse to bring in more until they sell out the sizes that fit maybe one in hundred women in that country. Its no wonder those shops come and go so fast. We must have been in around 20 or 30 stores that had nothing but women's size large left in stock of anything.

[Justud 42]

HAHAHA, Had this same problem. I tried to make sure everything was sized just right before i left for Manila, and of course it was still too big. Had to pay another $160 to get it re sized while i was there. and i had the two band ring. but anyway, i dont see where you should have any issues.

[Artisan 138]

I am truly surprised at the experiences many of you have had with shopping in the Philippines. I absolutely love shopping when I am in Manila.

Perhaps a few things I may be doing differently though help. I don't buy anything non-incidental outside Manila. Unless it is made locally nearly everything comes into the Philippines through Manila so it's best to buy from those shops that wholesale right off the boat. I rarely buy anything at the malls. Malls are for watching movies (the Platinum Cinema at Gateway Mall in Cubao with leather recliners is tied with the best theater I've ever been to in the world and it doesn't win only because the other theater had waitress service during the movie) and for eating out with friends when you want Western fast food. I always shop in specialized wholesale districts (Baclaran for clothes, Ongpin for jewelry, and the rest of Divisoria for odds and ends) and when I am dealing with sales associates I do my best to use Tagalog. Electronics and computers are the only things I don't buy when I am in the Philippines.

If your fiance/spouse is from one of the provinces and you are shopping in Manila wander around and listen to the vendors in the various shops until you find someone speaking your significant other's dialect. Doing business in Bicol has saved Michelle and I a lot of cash and impressed the shopkeepers who often miss having someone new to talk to in something other than English or Tagalog.

[Bugs 455]

Wow, thanks for all your replies, ladies and gentlemen. Sounds like I really have nothing to worry about. But I do agree she really shouldn't wear it out of the house otherwise, as it is a pretty nice ring with a .6 carat diamond.