Many third-year students now face some difficult decisions. No, not what majors to declare or what internships to apply for. But rather, silver or gold, garnet or sapphire?
It's that time of the year again when hundreds of students, primarily third years, are breaking the bank on Jostens class rings.
Roughly 800 students each year purchase the rings ranging in price from about $300 to $600, according to Jostens saleswoman Jennifer Powers.
Students can order from a wide variety of designs and colors, but when fifth-year College student Chris Schenkkan placed his order last fall, he wanted something different. He asked Jostens to put a "V" with cross sabers on his ring.
"Only it wasn't possible because the football team had rights to the 'V' and sabers," Schenkkan said. Jostens, however, pulled a few strings and told Schenkkan the next day that they could do it for him.
"So I have a one-of-a-kind ring," Schenkkan said. "Now, they've apparently worked out all the kinks and can do it, but I was the first."
On the sides of the white gold band, Schenkkan placed his year, major and the initials "AVP," the a cappella group of which he is a member.
Schenkkan said although he isn't a "big jewelry person, a class ring is something that you keep with you the rest of your life. I've worn it kind of religiously."
For third-year College student Stephen Ward, however, his fiancee has worn the ring far more than he has.
"She tries to wear it on her finger, but it weighs her hand down," Ward said. "For the most part, she just likes to carry it around with her, so I wanted to make sure she liked it."
Ward said he put his psychology major on the side of the ring.
"But my activities -- no," he joked. "I don't think they have one for sci-fi."
Jostens' most popular ring is the University's signet ring.
"It's U.Va.'s traditional ring," Powers said. "Close to 90 percent, male and female order your U.Va. signet ring."
With the purchase of a class ring, third-year students also receive the opportunity to participate in the October Ring Ceremony on the Lawn.
Read More
Breaking my silence
By Cecy Juárez | 2 days agoI, Cecy Juárez, am one of the three “squirrels of U.Va.” running the @thesquirrelsofuva page.
Lending a hand during the finals push
By Abby Snowdon | 4 days agoThe race to the end of the year has begun, and University groups have set up pit stops along the course to help students get to the finish line.
The spring fashion trend for you based on your college lifestyle
By Malone Morchower | 4 days agoIn 2024, decades of different styles have come back, culminating in a casual yet exciting fashion.
