A proposal should be a moment of joyous surprise. For one Redditor, it certainly was.
Her fiancé popped the question with a ring she initially adored, a beautiful oval-cut “diamond” with a sparkling band.
But the surprise quickly turned to confusion. Then, anger and profound doubt, all because of one word: Temu.
Now, read the full story:
This story is a masterclass in how a seemingly small issue, like a $38 ring, can crack open fundamental problems in a relationship. The issue isn’t really the price tag. It is the lack of transparency, the emotional manipulation, and the fiancé’s inability to address his partner’s valid concerns with honesty and respect.
He proposed with a cheap ring he hid the origin of. When confronted, he deflected, played the victim, and offered superficial apologies without ever truly explaining himself.
Now, he expects her to “pick her own ring and buy it with her own money,” effectively washing his hands of the entire mess. This is not how healthy partnerships thrive.
The True Cost of a Temu Engagement Ring
An engagement ring is steeped in symbolism. It represents commitment, trust, and a shared future.
For many, an engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry; it’s a symbol of commitment, love, and the intention to marry,” states financial expert Marguerita Cheng in Forbes Advisor. “The value isn’t necessarily in the monetary cost, but in the thought and meaning behind it.”
The problem here is not merely about money, but about the thought and meaning behind a $38 ring from a company known for low quality and ethical concerns. When a partner earning $200,000 annually chooses such a ring, it raises questions about how much value they place on the relationship itself.
A 2014 study by Emory University economists, often cited in discussions of engagement ring spending, found that while excessive spending doesn’t guarantee a stronger marriage, it also implies that extreme cheapness can be its own red flag, especially when financial means are abundant.
The fiancé’s reaction, or lack thereof, reveals even deeper issues. His evasiveness, turning the conversation around to make himself the victim, and his refusal to provide a genuine explanation are classic red flags for poor communication and emotional immaturity.
Dr. K.R. Petersen, Ph.D., writing for Psychology Today, explains, “Stonewalling involves refusing to engage in conversation. This behavior can make the partner feel unimportant, unloved, and even invisible.”
Furthermore, the OP’s concern about the ring’s safety is valid. Healthline and other sources have raised concerns that some ultra-cheap jewelry from platforms like Temu can contain harmful heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. [Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/is-temu-jewelry-safe] The fiancé’s dismissal of these concerns adds another layer of disrespect.
Ultimately, this situation goes far beyond a ring. It exposes a profound disconnect in values, a lack of trust, and a deeply concerning communication style that could plague the marriage. The fiancé’s sudden cheerful demeanor after offering a superficial “solution” demonstrates his desire to avoid difficult conversations, not resolve them.
Check out how the community responded:
Redditors were united in their support for the OP, calling her fiancé a major red flag for his cheapness and deceptive behavior.
![Apprehensive_War9612 - Temu? There’s real gold and real silver and real platinum and real tungsten and real stainless steel and real diamonds and moissanite on Amazon for [goodness] sakes.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761676815249-1.webp "Her Fiancé Makes $200K, But He Bought Her Ring From Temu")
![The fact that he wouldn’t tell you tells me that he knows it’s up [messed] up NTA](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761676819337-5.webp "Her Fiancé Makes $200K, But He Bought Her Ring From Temu")
Many users called out the fiancé for his obvious lack of effort and the poor quality of Temu jewelry.
Commenters also focused on the alarming implication of his behavior, seeing it as a sign of deeper relationship issues.
This isn’t about the ring‘s material cost; it’s about the fiancé’s character, his evasiveness, and his alarming pattern of avoiding conflict.
The cheap ring is just a symptom of a much larger problem concerning respect and communication. The OP’s gut feeling that she cannot handle a marriage with someone like this is a powerful indicator that she needs to seriously reconsider her future.
What do you think: Is this a minor hiccup that can be fixed, or a major red flag that indicates deeper, irreparable issues in the relationship?
