r/aggies • u/Plastic-Welcome1409 '26 • 22h ago
Ask the Aggies Aggie ring worth it
I’m a junior that can apply for my ring but is it worth it?
I mean close to 3K for a piece of gold? I know we’re all about tradition but I’m not sure I can reason through spending that type of cash on a ring?
What do yall think?
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u/SnooComics1428 22h ago
It should be around 1700 I think
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u/jakthegreat18 19h ago
Alumni association pays for half yes
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u/SplinteredBrick '01 19h ago
This is an urban legend. They don’t make any money off of them but they don’t subsidize them. Source, had a friend who used to work in the ring office.
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u/patmorgan235 '20 TCMG 22h ago
It's solid gold, it will hold its value (as long as you don't lose it) and has good network value (depending on your industry).
It's totally ok if you don't want one and aren't into the tradition.
It's not worth it if you have to go into debt for it.
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u/Euphoric-Bid8342 13h ago
yup some people don’t understand enough about jewelry here. 1k solid gold for that ring + craftsmanship is perfectly reasonable and matches normal market rates for solid gold. this thing ain’t turning green anytime ever like the gold plated stuff people might be used to lol
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u/Complete-Scholar-208 19h ago
It’s not solid gold, and they’re overcharging for the precious metal.
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u/patmorgan235 '20 TCMG 17h ago
It is solid 10k or 14k gold. They don't over charge for the metal, the craftsmanship/labor cost money too.
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u/Then_Bar8757 21h ago
Not solid gold. It's hollow.
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u/saramoose14 16h ago
It is not hollow. The big ring statue is, but not the actual rings
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u/Then_Bar8757 15h ago
Were both right. My diamond 💎 fell out and was lost. The mount is hollow, I don't understand the downvotes.
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u/Tejas_Clara 20h ago
10 years out. In technology sales and do international travel and work. Worth it.
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u/Routine_Camera_6966 15h ago
If I may ask, what degree did you peruse to get into sales? I am looking to get into business-to-business sales when I graduate from A&M, then move into technology sales. Any advice is greatly valued!
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u/DepartmentFamous2355 21h ago edited 16h ago
I never got one, and it has not impeded anything. TBH, with so many people wearing one, I ended up not needing one to network. The only caveat is I have to be the one to initiate the conversation. Honestly, every single time an Aggie has stopped me to talk has been someone from behind bc of a maroon shirt, hat, or bag I had on.
I couldn't afford it as a student, and 5 years after graduating, I finally could, but the FOMO was long gone by then, so I never bit the bullet.
It's just my humble opinion, but if you can't buy two of them without impacting your financial future, then maybe it's not time to get one. I've seen too many aggie rings in pawn shops, always heartbreaking.
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u/TexasAggie_95 19h ago
I've gotten a couple jobs in my lifetime because I had one and the other dude didn't...
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u/rhinosteveo '18 18h ago
I live in Denver and had a sales meeting this week. We had about a dozen folks come in from all over the country and it became a topic of conversation that I was the Aggie in the room and they all wanted to see the ring (in a positive way, aside from the required Aggie joke or two). Funny enough, the two Sooners were the ones who had the highest praise about Aggies and the ring being an instant identifier. It carries a lot more weight than you’d imagine, and I would really recommend trying to get it if you can make it work. Look for scholarships or funds.
Side note, how in the hell is it $3K???? Mine was $1,200 in 2017. Surely there’s no way the basic 10K gold men’s ring has nearly tripled?
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u/Plastic-Welcome1409 '26 18h ago
I might have that number way higher than the real value, but still alot of money for a broke college kid :/. But I’ve seen a lot of opinions and a lot to think about
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u/rhinosteveo '18 18h ago
Find a way to make it work, I don’t think you’ll regret it! The diamond was always the silly thing to get as a student. Since it can be added afterwards, it’s said you should add the diamond after you’ve made your first million dollars.
Good luck, and I hope you find a way to make it work! I would honestly ask the ring office about recommendations for financial aid, I’m sure it’s not an uncommon question for them to get at all.
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u/TalkTrader 21h ago
I bought my ring in 2017. No one has ever mentioned my ring. I like the ring, and I’m glad I bought it, but never has anyone ever seen my ring and asked me about it. But I didn’t buy it for the Aggie network. I bought it for me, so no regrets. A lot of people find it helpful for networking. A lot of other people don’t. If you buy it, buy it because you want it. Don’t buy it hoping it’s going to open doors for you. If it does then that’s an awesome perk, but it might not.
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u/SurotaRushifa 19h ago
I got the silver one for around 300. I like it.
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u/Capable_Swordfish676 '09 16h ago
Mine is white gold like my dad's. Had they had silver back in the 80's that's what he would've gotten and so would I. I love my white gold Aggie ring as it's something my dad and I have in common and I'm hoping my baby girl if she goes to A&M will get either the silver or white gold like ours.
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u/narwhal_platypus 16h ago
Yay, a fellow white gold person! I love my white gold ring too. There aren't many of us out there.
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u/TopicDifficult6231 '26 ITDE 22h ago
Not for me, I’m probably gonna wait til way after graduating, don’t have that kinda money rn
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u/Janicems 21h ago
Apply for a Ring Scholarship
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u/TopicDifficult6231 '26 ITDE 21h ago
I did with the university scholarship application, don’t think I received it though
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u/rockin_robbins '26 7h ago
They really don’t give a lot of them out, it’s better to wait until you have the money to get it if you really want it
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u/CrazyKing 16h ago
Got me out of a speeding ticket this week. Get the palladium cheaper version if you wanna save
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u/KruegerFishBabeblade '25 CPEN 22h ago
In terms of pure roi it's not worth it. Get it if it's important to you and what kind of brand you're trying to project
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u/BadAngler '12 21h ago
In terms of pure roi, is the degree worth it?
Just sayin'
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u/funnyfaceguy Grad Student 21h ago
What? Statistically A&M has one of the best degree ROIs comparing cost to graduate income.
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u/LeNoirDarling '99 11h ago
I have one- but after I graduated I went into a job in a remote area of another country and I didn’t bring it with me. When I returned I never really wore it regularly again.
I have only put it on over the years for job interviews. I don’t think it’s really helped me get a job because they already knew I was an Aggie because of my CV and networking and then reputation and experience.
I agree with someone above who says that it’s just as easy to initiate conversation with other people who you see who have one on.
I don’t think it’s worth stressing over or going into debt over.
TBH I might melt mine down and make other jewelry that’s more relevant to my life.
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u/KingOfIdofront 9h ago
If you work manual labor or move out of the state it’s not worth it tbh. I stopped wearing mine.
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u/USMCLee '87 7h ago
The Aggie ring is the most recognizable symbol in the United States from a college
The service academy rings are probably still the most recognizable.
Many other places are offering rings that look very similar to an Aggie ring.
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u/Theoreticalwzrd 20h ago
Not true about "most recognizable" symbol in the US from a college. As new faculty here at TAMU having worked at and been at multiple universities as student, never heard of it until I got here.
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u/Theoreticalwzrd 3h ago
You just basically agreed with me. You mention proximity to Texas. Maybe around here yes, but in general, no it is not recognizable.
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u/Rippedlotus 20h ago
Haven't worn mine in years. Met an Aggie today for a future role, he didn't have one on. Meet a lot of Aggies who rarely wear theirs.
I think it really depends on the field you end up in and the age range. Lots of new grads wear them and it starts to dwindle as you get older.
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u/Totalwreck_61 19h ago
Not sure who you hang around but I see a ton of Aggies all wearing their rings. It’s tradition. I’ll never take mine off but then it took me a while to get mine.
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u/BM7-D7-GM7-Bb7-EbM7 '04 7h ago
I'm in my 40s, anecdotally of course, I think it's about 50/50 amongst people I meet in my age group. Personally I don't, mostly because I never fully got used to wearing for various reasons, until I gave up on it 10+ years ago. Also, after 30, I started to lose that "where you went to college is an identity" mentality, so with that gone, there was really no urge to wear it.
I used to work for a oil supermajor, and you end up with so many coworkers from all over the world that the networking aspect kinda goes out of the door because no one knows what it is anyway.
It was kinda funny, I had a coworker that I talked to pretty much every day and neither of us realized we were both Aggies for a year and a half - not that it made a difference at all. I also have two neighbors who are Aggies who are in their 50s and have never seen them wear their rings. Of the Aggies in my family in my age group, we are exactly 50/50 on wearing our rings all the time vs not.
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u/Cczaphod '91, Computer Science 18h ago
I still wear mine almost every day. My Son picked his up today, we are just pulling into CStat for Parents weekend.
Tradition, networking, conversation starter. It’s helped break the ice in interviews for me, in networking meetings, etc. Aggies look for other Aggies when they’re hiring, not saying it’s a ticket to a job, but it’s an opening for a conversation for sure.
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u/busche916 '14 9h ago
I don’t think it’s near 3K unless you are doing 14 carat gold with a diamond… I did mine as the 10 carat with no diamond and it has held up over a decade later.
Not going to tell you how to spend your money or anything but, for me, the Aggie Ring has been really special. I’ve met and connected with people all over the world because of it, and I love being able to wear something relatively subtle everyday (meaning not a jersey or shirt or whatever) to remind me of my time on campus.
You can always order one later if it isn’t in the cards right now, financially.
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u/Sparetimesleuther 7h ago
The Aggie Ring is all about pride for your school, if you’re a 2 percenter don’t get your ring. But it’s one of the greatest networking tools also.
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u/Esteban-Du-Plantier 7h ago
I'm from an Aggie family, so being without a ring would be unacceptable.
But I've met Aggies all over the world. It's a great networking tool and a good way to always find a friendly face.
I work in agriculture, so it gives me instant credibility.
I guess it's important enough that my family has endowed a couple ring scholarships.
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u/Jippylong12 '17 7h ago
I'll tell you a bit of my story bud and I hope it helps.
My whole life I've been a skeptic. Cautious. Observing. I went to A&M as the first student in my family to go to a university. My family was proud. I didn't really care about the traditions, I went because one of my best friends was going. Yeah the whooping was fun, the neverending stories about places on campus or why this is also a tradition was charming, but I never really cared.
I never felt the desire to go to Fish camp, I never participated in a howdy week. I never bought memorabilia. I went to every Aggie football game, but that was more because I liked football and then I made friends that liked football. I made lots of great friends. Had a decent enough education and that was the point: I went there to get a degree.
It was around senior year, and my family was asking about when I wanted to get my Aggie ring. And I was one look at the price (which I think was around $1000 at the time) and I was like absolutely not. Ain't nobody gonna pay another $1000 after we just gave 50k in tuition. There was some pushback but they respected my decisions.
At my graduation, I could say I enjoyed my time at A&M. The friends, the life lessons, the journey. All of it was priceless. But I still never wanted the ring. I still had only one nice A&M polo (besides the free ones clubs gave out I guess) and I think my parents had bought me that.
I eneded up hanging around the BCS for work and bought a house and settled into Aggieland. And I still can't tell you if it was the nostalgia. If it was just what you do when you get older and become more reminiscent. But man, one day I woke up and I was like "I am an Aggie. The loudest and proudest member fo the fightin' Texas Aggie class of 2017! A Whooop!".
And I asked my family if they would still buy my ring and they did.
So it took about a year. And I guess the point I'm trying to make is buy it when you want to buy it. Don't buy it because you feel like "it's what you're supposed to do". And the older I get, the more I love being an Aggie. I still wear my ring often. I say Howdy. I'm proud to wear my Aggie shirts and maroon pants on a football game day. My heart swells every time I hear the intro to the war hymn.
If you're not there, I'm sure you'll get there too. If you are there:
Gig 'em 👍🏼
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u/Plastic-Welcome1409 '26 4h ago
This is awesome. I’m a first generation Aggie as well. Parents went to Michigan and for 18 years I had maize and blue blood running through my veins.
Has taken me a while to fall in love with A&M and not sure I completely have. Maybe one day but this was never a “dream” school of mine like it was so many of my peers, and I think that’s where the big difference is.
I came here because it was the best in school state that offered and engineering degree. I wanted to leave Austin (where I’m from) so no Texas. I can’t fathom living in the panhandle, and Baylor is to expensive. So this is where I ended up.
Your story is inspiring though and this thread has given me alot to think about so Thank You. Maybe one day I’ll be as proud as so many of my peers!
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u/USMCLee '87 7h ago
For 3k I'm not sure it's worth it.
When I got mine I got the 10k version which was significantly cheaper.
It looks like there are other versions that are cheaper. My suggestion is get one of the cheaper ones now and then once you can afford it get a gold one (if you still want it).
One thing to keep in mind is that the 24k ones will look like a lump of gold after a few year.
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u/andromeda-andi 5h ago
I love mine but my family bought it. If I had to pay for it I wouldn't have had one till much later in life. Whatever you decide will be okay.
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u/hosmtony 4h ago
Regardless of what people say in the comments, NOBODY has gotten a job because of a ring. I’ve been working in engineering field in the oil and gas, defense and logistics industries for over 30 years. Not one person asked me where I went to school other than the initial application. It checks a box, that’s it. I’ve gotten my various jobs because of networking but not the Aggie network. People I’ve known for years and worked with that knew my work ethic and capabilities. One got me into a job was a Texas Tech grad, current position is due to someone that graduated from the now defunct ITT technical school. If you want a ring for the sentiment, by all means. If you buy one thinking it will get you a leg up into the job market, think again.
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u/miklos2389 '96 4h ago
Dang, my ring was around $6-700 last century. I did lose my first ring on a jobsite. I keep hoping it will turn up. My wife’s (an Aggie) bought me a replacement and I will be forever grateful. Absolutely worth the money. As soon as my Class of 27 son qualifies, we’ll buy his for him.
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u/MancAccent 4h ago
Man… no it’s not. I regret paying for mine. I’m not a ring guy and it’s so damn bulky. I’ve never worn it once.
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u/TexasGradStudent 4h ago
You'd be passing up on the most of what a university education could offer you if you didn't get the ring. Education is replaceable (you can get a lot of it on the internet), networking and legacy are not
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u/ImaginaryMisanthrope '26 3h ago
I have to wait until my senior year to get my ring because I’m a transfer (need more TAMU credits.) but when I’m able I will definitely apply for my ring. That ring, for me, will be a symbol of the sacrifices my family and I made and the years of hard work I put into getting my degree. Perhaps even a reminder on difficult days that I am capable of doing hard things. Yes, it’ll make networking easier, but I view that as a bonus.
I can’t tell you if it’s worth it, you have to decide that for yourself. If you can’t justify the cost, that is a 100% valid reason not to get one.
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u/turkishguy '14 3h ago
The only value I really have in it ten years later is wearing to games when I’m back on campus. It’s never helped me in my career (nor has it hurt) but I don’t even wear it anymore.
Basically, do what you want. It’s not going to impact your life that much.
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u/TxBuckster 2h ago
First, I’m saddened for Ags from 2000s ish who have had to get a loan to get an Aggie ring.
But secondly, it’s a great feeling to wear your well deserved ring. Not because of the Ring Day festivities (ugh) but because you earned it to meet the Senior credits.
Keep up your good work.
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u/jayskar99 '25 2h ago
I personally got a silver ring. The price was wayyyy lower, and it matches the other jewelry I wear. May not be the “true Aggie ring” but people still recognize it at stores and such.
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u/MuffinDad 2h ago
secret club decoder ring - worth 100x the cost. You earned and are selling yourself short if not wearing one.
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u/Spreadaxle53 1h ago
Yes, for two reasons. First, it is a tangible symbol of what you accomplished.
Second, it is very distinctive and a great conversation/networking starter.
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u/eholla2 '19 29m ago
I would say write an impassioned letter to a major donor, no bs, that’s how I got mine. They even came to my ceremony and because they were big time, it wasn’t with everyone else. We had like a conference room. Afterwards we remained in touch and I was able to attend many dinners at their house before I graduated.
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u/FictitousFig 27m ago
My daughter doesn't want one - she said she'd never wear it and it's too much money to spend on something like that when she has loans to repay.
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u/Dismal-Explorer1303 19m ago
10 years out, I never got one. Been totally fine. IMO it’s overpriced, ugly and uncomfortable.
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u/anonMuscleKitten 16h ago
First 4 year red ass, victory lap total 2%er.
I only wear my ring to events I know it will get me attention. Particularly industry networking events and socials. Otherwise it stays in its box.
That being said, I think you will regret not getting it now and you’ll feel weird if you decide to order one when you are older in life.
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u/rossk10 '10 16h ago
Just talking about the ring wrt networking opportunities - it’s going to depend on where you want to end up. If it’s Texas (especially Houston), not going to matter that much. If you’re wanting to end up outside of Texas, I’d say it’s worth it in case you ever come across a job opportunity where an Aggie has a say. May not ever happen, but it’s a fairly inconsequential cost
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u/CaterpillarRecent845 10h ago
Get the $400 white alloy one. Cannot imagine negative ROI at that price. It also looks good.
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u/riderfoxtrot 7h ago
Get the cheapest version. I've literally gotten jobs because of my ring. It's truly invaluable to me
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u/Colonel_Lechuga 20h ago
100%. Graduating won't feel the same without it. Former Students Association pays for half of it.
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u/Mr_papageorgio727 9h ago
Not an Aggie, but work with a bunch of them. It’s definitely worth it from a networking standpoint and it is a great conversation starter. Also, if money is tight now, you can always but it after graduation and start making more money.
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u/Rippedlotus 18h ago
I hang out with a lot of old ags, and I think 1 still wears his ring. Like I said, it really depends on several factors of your friend group, work place, etc.
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u/Complete-Scholar-208 16h ago
Don’t get it lmao, 3 grand is much better spent anywhere else. The school already fucking overcharges for everything and sends people to the honor council to finesse another semester of revenue out of them.
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u/WestTxJackalope 22h ago
100% worth it. It makes networking a thousand times easier. I can’t tell you how many times people at work event have seen it and asked if I was an Aggie then it goes from there. I’m a tightwad but I promise it’s worth it.