Engagement ring buying tips for men

Now that you know she is "the one," and you're ready to settle down, it may be time to start looking at engagement rings. If you have no idea what type of ring or style she might like, there are a few ways to approach the ring buying process:

Enlist her friends and family

After asking your soon-to-be father-in-law for her hand in marriage (yes, men still do this) why not partner up with your girlfriend's mom, sister or best friend to help you pick out the ring? These women likely have the best insight as to what style ring she will love to wear. Even if you don't bring them along to the jewelry store, you can always browse with them online so they can point you in the right direction.

Scout out her jewelry box

Even though you've likely bought her a piece of jewelry during your courtship, you should definitely pay attention to the jewelry she wears every day. Take note of the type of metal she prefers, if her jewelry is more traditional, funky, big or small. All of these indicators can help you narrow down what sort of style ring she will like.

The only time you are ever permitted to snoop in your woman's personal space is when you are going to buy her engagement ring. Look at the jewelry in her case to get a closer look at her precious stones, gems and jewelry design. Bring one of her rings with you to the jeweler so they can size her finger.

Ask her opinion

You can always take your main squeeze out to the jewelry store or look online with her. Of course, if your intention is to keep the proposal a secret, then taking her with may not be the best idea. You can always go to the mall with the intention of "browsing for watches." While you pretend to look around, keep an eye on what your girlfriend is checking out and make a mental note so you have a starting point when you return to the store alone.

Create a custom engagement ring

Consider working with a jeweler to create a custom engagement ring for your bride-to-be. This is a great way to bring different design esthetics you like regarding different designs into one. Maybe you saw a stone style that you thought was great, but liked the design of a different band. The custom engagement ring design process is a way to add a touch of your personality into the ring and create something you know she'll treasure for years to come. Plus, she'll be impressed that her ring is unique and that you had a hand in making that special piece of jewelry for her.

Jewelry terminology to keep in mind

It's important to do your research before shopping for the ring. Some jewelry terminology and buying tips to keep in mind include:

Asking about the four C's - Cut, color, clarity and carat weight are the engagement ring elements that define the four C's of jewelry buying.

Diamond shape - Although your jeweler can help you identify the shape of a diamond, some of the most popular engagement ring stone styles to keep in the back of your mind are round, princess (square) emerald (oblong square) and oval.

Setting - Are you looking for a solitaire ring or a three-stone engagement ring? When researching the setting of the engagement design, keep in mind that the setting will dictate what type of wedding band will pair well with the diamond.

Metal - Traditional wedding bands are typically made from yellow gold. Popular metals used to create engagement rings today are white gold, rose gold, platinum, palladium and titanium.