How to Choose an Engagement Ring

You'll need to decide on your budget before you do anything else. Engagement rings are expensive, so it's important to know what you're getting into before you go in the store. You'll need to decide if you are going to pay with cash upfront or if you want to use a credit card and pay it off over time. Many stores offer a payment plan for you as well.

Not all engagement rings are made from diamonds. If you're looking for something more budget friendly, you may go with cubic zirconia. You can also go non-traditional and choose a different type of precious stone. Ruby engagement rings are a nice, less expensive option. You can even do a large sapphire or emerald surrounded by smaller diamonds on the sides.

The shape of the ring is one of the bigger decisions you'll make when choosing. Does she like round, pear shaped or princess cut? There are plenty of options out there to choose from, but you'll need to know her style first. Look at her other jewelry to get an idea, or you can casually sneak it into a conversation.

You may have heard of the 4 Cs when it comes to diamonds. Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat make each diamond unique. The cut is different from the shape and is how the facets are arranged. The clarity and color refer to the quality of the diamond while the carat is the weight of the stone. Depending on your budget you may need to sacrifice some of these.

The ring store will ask for her size when you buy the engagement ring. If you can, try to find a ring she already owns and take it in for them to compare to. You can always ask her what size ring she wears if you aren't planning to keep the proposal a secret. You can always choose an average size and then have it resized later on after you give it to her.

Once you have the ring, it's time for the proposal. Even if you've talked about marriage and are sure she's going to say yes, it can still be nerve racking. This will be one of the most special moments of both of your lives, so you want to make it memorable. Decide if you want to propose in public or private. Mostly, remember to relax and enjoy the moment.

Although this can seem like a lot, taking it step by step is easiest. If you really don't know what she'll like, talk to her friends and family. You can always get her involved as well if you think she wants to help pick her own ring. Try not to let the process get you down, and just remember you'll get to marry the woman of your dreams at the end of it.