Survey Reveals About 70% Find 'Original, One-of-a-Kind Rings' Appealing; Nearly 47% Seek 'Special Memories' for Milestones

■ Survey on Preferences and 'Special Memories' when Choosing and Purchasing Rings

Rings are items that accompany life's milestones such as marriage, engagement, and anniversaries.

Because they are not something bought many times in a lifetime, everyone is careful when choosing them.

So, what do people look for in a ring, and what kind of failures do they fear?

To answer this, we conducted a joint survey with the original wedding ring brand 'Koubou Smith,' targeting 500 men and women nationwide regarding their 'preferences and special memories when choosing and purchasing rings.'

*When quoting the contents of this press release, please take the following actions:

- State that the quote is from the 'Survey by NEXER Inc. and original wedding ring Koubou Smith'

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Overview of 'Survey on Preferences and Special Memories when Choosing and Purchasing Rings'

Survey method: Internet questionnaire

Survey period: May 27, 2026 - June 4, 2026

Target audience: Men and women nationwide

Valid responses: 500 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Regarding ring designs, which do you find more appealing: 'ready-made/mass-produced designs' or 'original/one-of-a-kind designs'?

Question 2: When choosing or purchasing a ring, what are the points you 'do not want to fail/regret' about?

Question 3: Please tell us the reason for your choice.

Question 4: Do you want to create a 'special memory' at life's milestones such as marriage, engagement, or anniversaries?

Question 5: Please specifically describe the experience you think is ideal as a 'special memory' for life's milestones.

Question 6: Do you find more value in 'making and experiencing the creation process together as a couple' rather than 'purchasing and receiving the ring at a store or EC'?

Question 7: Please tell us why you feel that way.

*As a rule, figures are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not be exactly 100%.

■ 67.0% Answered They Find 'Original, One-of-a-Kind Designs' Appealing for Rings

First, we asked which they found more appealing for ring designs: 'ready-made/mass-produced designs' or 'original/one-of-a-kind designs.'

The result showed that 'original/one-of-a-kind designs' accounted for the majority at 67.0%. On the other hand, 'ready-made/mass-produced designs' remained at 33.0%.

Two out of three people are moved by a unique piece just for them.

Rings are worn for a long period and easily become objects of affection. This might be why the desire for 'a piece just for us' appeared stronger than a shape seen somewhere else.

■ 26.2% Answered the Point They Regret the Least When Purchasing is 'Whether It Has Value for the Price'

Next, we asked about the points they feel they 'do not want to fail/regret' when choosing or purchasing a ring.

The most common response was 'whether it has value for the price' at 26.2%.

This was followed by 'the size not fitting anymore' at 19.0%, and 'getting bored of the design' at 13.2%.

Furthermore, the results were 'not knowing where to buy' at 11.8%, 'concerns about strength and durability' at 11.4%, 'discrepancy in preference and sense with the partner' at 9.6%, 'concerns about after-sales service' at 4.2%, and 'others' at 4.6%.

We also asked for the reasons behind these feelings in free-text format.

Those who answered 'whether it has value for the price'

- Because I would regret it if I bought something expensive and it turned out bad. (Male in his 20s)

- I would be disappointed if the quality wasn't good for the price, so I would carefully examine if the product is worth the price. (Female in her 30s)

- Whether it can continue to maintain value commensurate with the price. (Male in his 40s)

Those who answered 'the size not fitting anymore'

- Because I am afraid of sizing up after childbirth and not being able to wear it. (Female in her 20s)

- Even if it's the perfect size, swelling varies from day to day, making it difficult to find the balance between loose and perfect. (Female in her 30s)

- It's sad that even a favorite piece cannot be worn as fingers change size with age. (Female in her 40s)

Those who answered 'getting bored of the design'

- Worried if I can enjoy the design forever. (Female in her 30s)

- Because a timeless design is good. (Male in her 30s)

- If I am paying a reasonable price, I want a design I won't get tired of so I can cherish it for years. (Female in her 40s)

Looking at the reasons for each option, the content of anxiety seems to be broadly divided into two.

One is anxiety about 'price.'

Rings tend to be expensive, and it is hard to grasp the market price. That is why voices expressing the desire to ascertain whether there is value commensurate with the amount paid stood out.

The other is anxiety about 'whether it can be used for a long time.'

The size not fitting, getting bored, breaking down. The fear of not being able to use something acquired with effort was common to many people.

■ 46.8% Answered They Want to 'Create Special Memories' at Life's Milestones

Next, we asked if they wanted to 'create special memories' at life's milestones.

Combining 'strongly think so' at 8.8% and 'somewhat think so' at 38.0%, 46.8% responded positively.

On the other hand, 'do not think so much' was 26.8%, and 'do not think so at all' was 26.4%.

So, what kind of experiences do they specifically consider 'ideal'? Here are some excerpts from the free-text responses.

What experience do you think is ideal as a 'special memory' for life's milestones?

- Toasting at a luxurious dinner. (Female in her 20s)

- I want to make memories by going on an overseas trip and having an extraordinary experience. (Male in his 30s)

- Touring memorable places, talking about nostalgic things, and realizing that we have grown from our past selves to our present selves. (Female in her 30s)

- Want to have a tangible experience. Making plates, making pendants, etc. (Female in her 30s)

- I think the ideal experience is choosing something that will remain in shape for a long time with an important person. (Male in his 40s)

- Having a meal at a nice restaurant and exchanging memorable items. (Female in her 40s)

A common thread can be seen in the voices collected.

While many people mentioned 'experiences' such as meals and trips, a considerable number of voices also desired 'things that remain in shape' and 'wanting to exchange items.'

In other words, they likely want to cherish both the 'experience' that remains in their hearts and the 'form' that allows them to recall it later.

Special days become memories once they pass.

They want to turn those memories into a form they can pick up and look back on later. I felt such a wish exuding from the responses.

■ 39.6% Answered They Find Value in 'Making and Experiencing the Creation Process Together as a Couple' for Rings

Finally, we asked if they found value in 'making and experiencing the creation process together as a couple' rather than 'purchasing and receiving the ring at a store or EC'.

Combining 'feel very much' at 7.6% and 'somewhat feel' at 32.0%,