<p>I got a nice bundle of papers in the mail today about Family Weekend. Woot. Anyways, I noticed that third years are supposed to get their rings that weekend. My moms going to read this and ask questions, so I need answers. How do I go about getting one of these? I have a high school one, and want a college one, but high school was pretty easy. So, any info on this will be helpful.</p>
<p>Many years ago, we ordered them through the Newcomb Hall book store.</p>
<p>I noticed the 3rd year ring ceremony in the parents weekend itinerary. Sounds good. I never got a high school ring, too pricey, but a college ring would be good.</p>
<p>Pls let us know what you find out.</p>
<p>I'm dropping explicitives. F.</p>
<p>That came from Mincer's website. I'm assuming they're who runs the class ring stuff, which is probably true, since I've seen stands outside of there.
Vistany: are you a third year?</p>
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are you a third year?
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<p>No I missed the ring ceremony in high school and regretted it. When I noticed it on the parents weekend itinerary I was curious about how it worked at UVa.</p>
<p>Yeah I just saw you're not. My b. Anyways, apparently we get them third year. Mom did a lot of yelling/sobbing because they had no intentions to go to Family Weekend and now she's saying she wish she had known about the Ring give-out. Bllleeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhh I want to go back to the best place on earth as I know it (aka, UVA).</p>
<p>Alright, so there are several vendors that make it easy to purchase a class ring. Three in particular, one who sets up camp at the UVa bookstore (Josten's), one who sits outside the Student Bookstore (Balfour), and one who sits outside Mincers (Exemplar). I would also rank the companies in that order from biggest volume to least. </p>
<p>I checked out all three and chose Balfour. The old women at Jostens were chatty and flirtatious but all they cared about was a quick sale and were noticeably disappointed that I was an educated customer. The gentleman at Mincers was nice enough, starting up his new company which is just that, a newer company trying to get established. </p>
<p>The fellow at Balfour though really sold it to me. He was thoroughly interested in see what the ring meant to me, what I did at school, and shared how impressed he is with the University and his pride in his product. He also offered what I thought were the most unbiased opinions of his competitors as well as his own product. </p>
<p>When you purchase (from any of these three vendors) during the couple weeks when they are on grounds/corner, you will receive information about the ring ceremony and whatever else may be going on ('09 had a dance). The ring ceremony itself is kinda silly, imo, but was cool enough and as a UVa student you can never get too much of the tradition talk we love oh so much. But in the end it was all about getting the ring and being there with classmates and friends - at least for me.</p>
<p>Also, each vendor is going to give you some sort of incentive based on how much you spend on a ring. Last fall it was a gift certificate to the respective store which housed the vendors. (UVa Bookstore for Jostens, Student Bookstore for Balfour, Mincers for Exemplar).</p>
<p>:) Yay.
So I assume you got yours third year. When did you order it and did you get it Family Weekend?</p>
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<p>I did get mine third year. I don't recall when exactly it was, but I'm guessing mid September. If you spend time around newcomb/corner you will undoubtedly see when they are selling and I'm pretty sure there is a good 2 or 3 weeks that they are selling and will get the ring to you at the ceremony. I found out when all my classmates started talking about it. </p>
<p>I ordered it at the table for Balfour in front of the Student Bookstore on the Corner. </p>
<p>I did receive mine at the Ring Ceremony. Lots of parents were there, I didn't invite mine - didn't think it was that big of a deal for them to come down from nova when I could show it to them during fall break, or whatever. (it was also rainy and gross all weekend)</p>
<p>I just remember during high school it took months. I'm glad I can see them before ordering though. I know I'll get white gold, but I'm torn between the onyx background and plain flat engraving. Now I'm pretty excited :) I wonder how many kids order their rings and change their majors though...oops. Or don't graduate on time. Hopefully my BSEE and 2010 won't change</p>
<p>heh yeah, and the vendors have replacement plans in place in case changes occur to major/year - definitely something to ask them about when you go to see. I have the antiqued look with the engraving, makes it stand out a little more, but I didn't take a long look at the women's rings so not sure what it looks like on them. You'll have plenty of opportunity to see all their styles and metals at the tables, though.</p>