Less stress for you- Having your partner choose her own engagement ring will make the shopping experience a lot less stressful for you. You won't need to worry about buying a ring she doesn't like and can be rest assured she will be grateful for including her in the process.
According to her, yes. In a recent survey close to 90% of women said they want to be involved in some way when her engagement ring is designed or selected. So, unless your girlfriend deliberately sent you on a solo mission, it's time to start thinking about ways to get her in the loop.
If both want to incorporate design elements and prefer to share the experience of choosing, then picking a ring together will be a great experience. However, if you and your partner are more traditional in your wedding rituals, and prefer to be surprised, then choosing alone is definitely better suited to you.
Let Her Choose the Ring
Some men are not certain about the bride-to-be's tastes in rings, and prefer to allow her to choose her own ring after the proposal. If this is the case, then you can call local jewelers and set up personal appointments for you both to go and look at rings.
Absolutely. It is a ring she is going to wear for a very long time - hopefully, forever … so, having her choose it is a good idea.
Tip #6: Ask her!
If you've tried the methods above, and you feel that a surprise engagement ring is not your style (or hers), then feel free to ask her directly about what she's hoping for. From the type of gemstone (diamond or otherwise) to the setting color to the overall style, you'll have all of the specs to go on.
This is entirely up to you. Many couples will decide who spends money on the engagement ring or wedding band after discussing it first. Maybe it sounds best for the man to purchase the woman's ring while the woman purchases the man's ring.
As with the ring, there is nothing wrong with going for something simple if that's all you can afford or if it's what you know they want. Likewise, using a proposal ring, and going to buy the real one together later is totally fine.
It's a long-standing tradition that the guy chooses the ring he thinks is perfect for his gal, then surprises her by popping the question.
The short and fast answer is the left knee. Traditionalists and etiquette experts insist the left is the correct knee to propose on since this is the knee that medieval knights used as a display of respect and surrender.
General Rule: You should spend at least 2 months salary on the engagement ring. If, for example, you are making $60,000 per year, you should spend $10,000 on the engagement ring.
If you're really particular or have your eye on a specific style, say so. It's OK to drop hints about what you really want. That's the best way to completely avoid this situation. If the ring is not what you expected, don't ask for a totally new ring, but think about modification options.
The wedding band traditionally goes on the left-hand ring finger first, nearest the heart, with the engagement ring stacking on top. Again, this practice is not law, and the rings can be arranged in any way that is most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to you, including wearing the rings on separate fingers.
Telling your new fiancé that you're not sure about your engagement ring is a difficult prospect, but it's better to have the conversation sooner rather than later. Be clear, kind and don't place any blame on your partner. Remember, you're starting a conversation, not making a complaint or demanding a new ring!
Making the decision to get married together has also led 75% of couples to choose an engagement ring together, with 28% of these couples saying both people were 'very' involved in the process. Gone are the days of shopping for an engagement ring on your own—this 100-year tradition seems to be at an end.
However, perspectives have shifted quite a bit, and now there are more men wearing engagement rings, too. It's a personal choice, and everyone can be completely free to make the choice that's right for them regarding engagement rings.
While $6,000 is the national average cost of a ring, the spend per couple varies. Our study found that roughly one-third of all respondents are spending between $1,000 to $4,000 on their engagement ring. In fact, 8% of ring shoppers are spending under $1,000.
With natural diamonds, you can get approximately a 1 to 1.25-carat diamond for $3,000. If you choose a lab-grown diamond instead, you can get approximately a 2.5 to 3 carat stone. Just remember that if your budget is $3,000 total, you will need to opt for a smaller diamond in order to afford the setting, too.
You don't need to spend a fortune to buy an engagement ring. In fact, according to data reported by jewelry industry publication Rapaport.com, eight percent of people spend less than $1,000 on their partner's engagement ring (around a third spend $1,000 to $4,000).
Spending between $3,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring puts you in good company. According to an article in the diamond industry magazine Rapaport.com, “roughly one third” of respondents to an industry survey reported spending between $1,000 and $4,000, with an average diamond size of 1.00 to 2.00 carats.
He can do whatever he wants, but traditionally men wait until the wedding day to don their ring. However, there's nothing wrong with wearing it before. It's more of a personal choice. Generally, if a dude chooses to wear the ring before the I do's, it's more of an engagement ring or promise ring.
Now, there are all types of precious metals and styles that are used for male engagement and wedding rings, allowing more guys to take part in it. Some guys in years past probably would've worn a ring if they had the option for silicone, tungsten or stainless steel.
The answer is that they are two different things, and while the engagement ring is purchased first, you may or may not end up with both. It all depends on your personal preference and relationship. While most couples choose to follow the tradition of wearing both, there's no rule that says you have to.
Can I Help My Partner Pick the Engagement Ring? Definitely. In fact, 62 percent of couples now go engagement ring shopping together. If you don't feel comfortable doing so, be sure to communicate those feelings to your S.O.