| Picking the right engagement ring can crumble the | | | | of engagement rings for almost a century and it |
| confidence of even the most stalwart of men.You | | | | practically guarantees optimum fire and brilliance. Next, |
| think she'll love whatever you choose (after all, it's a | | | | choose a stone that is colorless (or nearly colorless). |
| diamond!), but you want to get it right. You want her | | | | Colored stones have only recently become popular in |
| to know that you pay enough attention to her | | | | engagement rings, but like most trends, they may |
| personal style and taste that you can select the ring | | | | not enjoy the longevity required for a piece of |
| she would pick for herself. So the big question is, | | | | jewelry that she'll likely wear for the rest of her life. |
| should you go traditional or modern? | | | | Finally, look for a solitaire setting. This is usually |
| Chances are, she has a growing jewelry collection. | | | | characterized by a six-prong setting and a simple |
| This is a good place to start. If you're not sure what | | | | band of gold, white gold, or platinum (depending on |
| to look for, try going online. Many online jewelers | | | | your budget), and is always characterized by (you |
| have a section of their site devoted to helping you | | | | guessed it) one stone. |
| learn about what markers indicate traditional versus | | | | If you're really not sure what she would like in terms |
| modern engagement rings (for example, the cut of | | | | of traditional versus modern engagement rings, you |
| the stone, the setting, the color, etc.). Compare the | | | | can always consult her female relatives (her mom will |
| stones in her collection to online information to | | | | almost surely have a handle on her style) or go to a |
| determine what style she prefers. If she seems to | | | | personal buyer for assistance (you can often find |
| have an assortment, or if you simply can't ascertain | | | | them online!). As a last resort, you can always ask |
| her personal style, you should probably go traditional. | | | | her what she likes. But if you want to avoid tipping |
| So what does a traditional ring look like? First, you | | | | her off to the impending proposal, remember that |
| want to look for a round cut. This has been THE cut | | | | upgrading the ring at a later date is always an option. |