OBJECT OF DESIRE • NO-WEDDING RING

Marie Nordmann, 47, is a Internet technology specialist who works as a liaison between businesses and software developers to fine-tune programs. Her great-grandfather started Nordmann Printing Co. and also the Neighborhood News, a precursor to the Suburban Journals. She writes a blog — "which has been pretty inactive for the last year" — and also writes on Facebook — "which gives me a chance to be a smart-aleck." She spoils her dog, Fanny, an affectionate beagle with a penchant for going outside at inconvenient times.

"My most prized possession is a wedding ring I got when I realized, at age 40, that I probably would never get married. It was about seven years ago, and I decided to start shopping for a diamond ring to wear on my right hand. It took me about two years to finally come up with what I wanted. During that time, I got to try on a lot of great rings, including one that was priced at about $500,000. That was cool. And I even dated one of the jewelers for a while. (I wish that would have lasted a little longer.) The ring is gold with platinum bezels. The two small diamonds are about a half-carat. The main diamond is about three-quarters of a carat. I got that from a friend of mine who was getting a divorce and moving to Texas. She needed the money, and I needed the diamond, so it all worked out. I love it; it's easily my favorite piece of jewelry."