| How to Buy Her an Engagement Ring She'll Love | | | | gemstones that are often set into engagement |
| | | | rings for women who don't like to wear |
| Before we get started, can I be honest with | | | | diamonds. |
| you? The best way to buy her an engagement | | | | |
| ring she'll love is to let her pick it out | | | | Number 3: What Looks Best on Her Hands? |
| herself. She'll wear this ring every day. It | | | | |
| must feel good on her finger and it must suit | | | | An elongated diamond, such as a marquise or |
| her lifestyle. Sometimes it takes trying on | | | | oval, can make short fingers look more |
| many, many diamond shapes and setting styles | | | | sleek--but be careful not to overdo the look |
| to determine which ring is truly "best." | | | | or it could have the opposite effect. |
| | | | |
| But you still want to go it alone, don't you? | | | | Wide bands usually make fingers appear even |
| Maybe because you want to surprise her with | | | | shorter than they are, so think proportional: |
| the engagement ring, or because you don't | | | | |
| want her to be involved with pricing and | | | | Women with long fingers can easily wear bold |
| payment issues. That's fine--if you put some | | | | ring styles. |
| thought into it you can buy an engagement | | | | |
| ring that she'll love almost as much as she | | | | A setting that's extremely delicate could get |
| loves you. | | | | lost on large hands, over-emphasizing their |
| | | | size and making the ring look smaller. |
| Number 1: Pay Attention! | | | | |
| | | | Number 4: Choose the Right Shape & Setting |
| Paying attention to her jewelry likes and | | | | |
| dislikes is the first big step towards | | | | Round diamonds are the number one shape |
| finding her the perfect engagement ring: | | | | chosen by brides, but maybe not your bride. |
| | | | She might prefer an elongated marquise, oval |
| What metal color does she wear now? Most | | | | or pear-shaped stone, or an square or emerald |
| women have a definite preference. | | | | cut diamond. Fancier shapes, such as hearts, |
| | | | are another option. |
| If she loves white gold or platinum, don't | | | | |
| even look at a diamond or other stone mounted | | | | Do you think she'd like a solitaire diamond, |
| in a yellow gold ring setting. | | | | set alone in a band, or would she prefer a |
| | | | cluster of stones? Her current jewelry can |
| What style of jewelry does she wear now? Is | | | | give you clues about her preferences. |
| it contemporary-looking, with bold styling? | | | | |
| Does she prefer vintage looking rings? Or | | | | Number 5: Consider her Lifestyle |
| would you say that the jewelry she wears is | | | | |
| classic, resembling those timeless pieces | | | | How will the ring fit in with her lifestyle? |
| that never go out of style? | | | | Does she work in a profession where fussy |
| | | | jewelry would look out of place? Even if she |
| The best indication of her tastes is the | | | | doesn't, remember that a pointed gem with |
| jewelry she wears all the time, not items she | | | | high prongs could snag clothing (and people) |
| only wears occasionally, because it's the | | | | and is harder to keep clean. Save that type |
| full-timers that she's most comfortable with. | | | | of ring for gifts that will be worn on |
| | | | special occasions, not every day. |
| Number 2: Has She Hinted at her Likes and | | | | |
| Dislikes? | | | | Number 6: What's her Ring Size? |
| | | | |
| Has she ever mentioned her favorite jewelry | | | | Does she have rings that she wears on her |
| styles or pointed out engagement rings when | | | | engagement finger? Maybe a friend or family |
| you're shopping together? If not, take her | | | | member could get hold of one of them long |
| shopping. It isn't difficult to steer | | | | enough for you to have it sized. Of course, |
| yourselves towards the jewelry stores. If you | | | | you'll have to swear the messenger to |
| want to be subtle, say you're looking for a | | | | secrecy. |
| new watch, but be sure to pause at the | | | | |
| engagement ring counters. | | | | Number 7: Consider a Loose Diamond |
| | | | |
| Maybe she has a friend who recently became | | | | If you think you know which shape she loves, |
| engaged. Does she like her friend's | | | | buy a loose diamond to show her when you ask |
| engagement ring? Why or why not? | | | | the big question. The two of you can shop |
| | | | together later for the perfect engagement |
| Does she like diamonds? Some women don't. | | | | ring setting. |
| Sapphires and rubies are both durable | | | | |