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Every year, high school students all over the country buy class rings.

The rings are traded, shown off, compared and sometimes lost. Companies such as Herff Jones, Jostens and ArtCarved -- three of the largest class ring vendors in the market -- advertise that rings are a perfect way to show off high school interests and record favorite activities, clubs, sports and memories.

But, with price tags that can sometimes total several hundred dollars, are class rings worth it?

Class ring supporters say rings are a way to remember high school and can bring back memories. And because the rings are personalized, they can make a statement about the wearer. Yet critics say some students buy rings simply because purchasing one is a popular fad and a long-standing high school tradition.

The ring tradition traces to 1835 to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where cadets wore rings as a sign of unity and honor. Even today, class rings are meant to express pride in a student's school. Some campuses even hold a special ceremony for distribution of class rings.

Roanoke Catholic is one local school that continues a yearly ceremony in which students receive their rings. Each fall, members of the junior class acquire their rings during the Ring Day Ceremony.

"The rings are blessed by a local priest and then presented to the students," said Annemarie Zoller, a Roanoke Catholic senior. "After the ceremony, the juniors have a parade, which the whole high school goes out to watch."

Annemarie said the tradition is important because it helps the school's small classes unite and become closer.

Despite the long-standing traditions, not everyone holds rings in high regard.

"They [class rings] are not worth the cost simply because they are not worn that much and they are given to boyfriends and girlfriends and end up lost," said Carolyn Painter, an employee at a jewelry store in Christiansburg.

Cost is also a big issue in the decision not to buy a class ring. Painter said in 1959, she bought her 10-karat gold ring from Jostens for $23. Because of the rising cost of gold, today that same ring would cost about $300 because one ounce of the precious metal sells for $600.

Typically, companies come to schools selling rings, although some students chose to purchase from other vendors, such as Wal-Mart. Buyers can chose from gold, silver,or less expensive substitutes -- such as siladium -- for the band. There are also many simulated jewels to put on top and hundreds of possible symbols to engrave on the side, ranging from sports to religion.

In the past, the jewel on the ring would be school colors, but today, birthstones are popular.

Joe Assaid, a sales representative for Herff Jones, admits that cost is probably the top reason students would not buy a class ring.

But Morgan Sumpter, a sophomore at Giles High School, said there are other reasons students may hesitate to purchase a ring.

"I like the rings, but it is really hard to choose what activity you're going to put on your ring because you still have two more years and you do not know if you'll be doing the same activity," she said.

So, are class rings worth it? Like almost everything else, it really depends on the individual.