1. Set a realistic budget
When it comes to how much you should spend on an engagement ring, the general rule is 3 months salary. But really this is an out of date and often unrealistic rule. If you can afford to spend 3 months of your salary on an engagement ring, go for it! But if you can’t, don’t stress out about it. A better rule to follow is to have a realistic budget for the engagement ring. What can you afford? If you save up a bit of money and wait a month or two, will you be able to buy a nicer ring? Whatever you do, don’t spend more that you can and end up in debt because of the ring. The last thing your fiancée wants is for you the two of you to start off your life together paying of her engagement ring.

2. Go with her current style
If your fiancée wears a gold daughter’s pride ring and a gold graduation ring, you may not want to buy her a white gold or platinum engagement ring. On the flip side, if she prefers silver jeweler, white gold, or platinum will be the perfect thing. The point is you want to get something that fits in with her current style. Not only will it mean that the ring will fit in with her current jewelry, but you’ll also be pretty much guaranteed that she’ll love the ring.

3. Know the lingo
Before you go to buy a new computer, bed, or car, you probably do some research right? You read up on the current models and lingo so that you know what to look for when you go shopping. Well, the same rule applies when buying an engagement ring. When you go to a jeweler, he or she will want to know not only your price range but what cut of diamond, setting and band style you will want. You will also need to know a bit about carat size and clarity of the diamond. If you know all of this before you start to shop, you will be less likely to panic and just choose the first ring that you see.

4. Ask her
If you and your girlfriend have been together for a while, odds are that the topic of getting married has come up. More and more couples are discussing marriage before an engagement takes place. This usually means that the fact that you are going to propose won’t be a surprise. Most women have a vision in their head of their perfect engagement ring. If you both know that a proposal is coming, there’s nothing wrong with shopping for the ring together. In fact, this is the best way to make sure she’s getting the ring that she wants. And the when and where of the proposal can still be a surprise.

5. Trust your instincts
If you do decide to keep the fact that you are proposing a secret from your girlfriend then, when you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring, trust your instincts. After all if you are about to propose, odds are you know her pretty well and know what kind of ring she’ll love. And always keep in mind the fact that it’s coming from you and is a gesture of your love, even if it isn’t the ring she had been envisioning, she’ll love it anyway.

Author’s Bio

Diane Ferraro is the Advertising Director for Robbins Brothers. Robbins Brothers provides a huge selection of engagement rings and promise rings so you can find the ring that you are looking for. Started back in the 1920′s, the core value of the company is still “love the customer.”