Ring of confidence

Choosing your fiancée's engagement ring can be a huge responsibility – but never fear, Brides is here...

PSST . . .chaps, listen up. Unless you happen to be called J-Lo, getting engaged can be one of the most meaningful moments in a girl's life. It is also pretty important as far as you're concerned, provided you want her to say ‘yes' to your proposal.

As if the mere decision to get married isn't exciting enough, next comes the exhilarating (and sometimes stressful) task of buying the "rock". If you are like most men, you'll know next to nothing about diamonds, won't have a clue about how much they cost (or how much you should spend on them) and will have no idea which jeweller to go to.

Of course, the venue and the method of popping the question are crucial, but it's the engagement ring that is going to cost the serious bucks and to ensure you get the ‘yes' you're hoping for, Society Brides asked the Diamond Information Centre to come up with this comprehensive guide ensure you choose a ring that dazzles.

1. Determine a budget

How much you spend is a personal matter, but most often it will be determined by your income. However, according to research conducted on behalf of Diamond Trading Company – the world's diamond experts – most guys agreed that a month's salary was an appropriate amount to spend, so if you haven't already, get saving.

2. Learn what she likes

This part of the buying process will take a bit of research; for something this important, you should have an idea of what she'd like. Think about her overall tastes – would she prefer a classical design, such as a solitaire? Or is she a fashion junkie who might prefer the latest fancy-cut stone or unusual setting.

Make life easy and ask her friends or relatives, pay special attention to her reaction to other women's diamond engagement rings. You could get her to log on to the Design Your Own Engagement Ring section of the www.forevermark.com web site where she can interactively create her dream engagement ring.

3. Find a reputable jeweller

If you already have a trusted jeweller, your pre-purchase preparation is done. If not, ask around for suggestions. Look for a retailer with an excellent reputation.

Many of the area's top jewellers advertise in this very magazine and they will happily take the time to explain the 4Cs – cut, colour, clarity and carat – of a diamond's quality and value.

4. Get the size right

If she's in the habit of leaving any of her rings lying about, make an impression of one. A bar of soap, a piece of clay or even a piece of bread can be used to take a reliable measurement. Simpler still, just put one of her rings on your own fingers. Push it down as far as it will go and then mark the spot with a pen. Then just show the marking to your jeweller who can measure it for you.