The engagement ring is traditionally seen as the man’s domain. He would go out, choose and buy a ring with little or, more often, no input from his wife-to-be. Often the whole concept of marriage would be a surprise to his girlfriend - and not always a welcome one at that!
These days, the decision to enter into marriage is sometimes made together even before it has even reached the engagement ring stage, though having said that, a decision still needs to be made about the ring and the actual proposal.
Some men will want (and be happy) to take the responsibility for choosing the engagement ring themselves whilst others are petrified by the thought! Likewise some women think it is romantic to be surprised by the ring and proposal, whilst others have very specific wants which would be better served by both having an active involvement in the choosing of the ring.
The most important thing to remember is to do what is right for you as a couple. Just because your friend bought a 1 carat diamond ring in bezel setting on a platinum band, doesn’t mean that you need to do the same, but likewise that option may be preferable to a ring that you won on ‘Hook the Duck’ at the local fair!
Whatever engagement ring you opt for, determining its style and your budget are key factors in the decision. With that in mind, before you head out on your quest, it is imperative that you sit down and do your homework and learn all you can about diamonds, bands, settings and more.
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