Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring Together

As the lines between boyfriend/girlfriend, de-facto couple and married couple become more and more blurred many couples are shucking tradition and deciding to go with buying a diamond engagement ring together. So how does this affect the proposal and how do you go about it?

OK, so we all know how it is supposed to go, the man goes out and spends a whole lot of time, energy and money buying a special diamond engagement ring. All the while the woman carries on with her life, unaware of the turmoil that he is going through until - surprise! Down on one knee he goes, asks the big question and extends his hand containing a velvet box encasing a stunning diamond ring.

She says yes, hugs, kisses and they all live happily ever after.

It's a wonderful fairy tale and one that women all over the world dream of. But unfortunately in many cases it is just that - a fairy tale.

In many many instances the ring that is proffered does not live up to expectations. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying that you need to over extend yourself financially to get the biggest diamond or that it needs to be an exact replica of the one that Prince William gave Catherine, or that we won't accept white gold instead of pure platinum.

Sometimes a ring may be so elaborately styled that we could never wear it except on very special occasions, often the ring that is given to us just doesn't quite match up with our personality, sometimes the ring might be so obviously expensive that we are too scared of wearing it! More often than not it is a simple case of the band needing to be re-sized.

Your engagement ring is such an important symbol of your love; it has to last for a very long time, will be seen most days and is a considerable financial investment so it is really important to get it right the first time.

One of the ways to guarantee this is to shop for your engagement ring together; this is something that many couples are doing, in fact for many it is their first big decision together, which creates its own memory and special occasion.

The obvious advantages of buying a diamond engagement ring together are;

You can choose a style that you both like and that you both connect with,
You can make sure that you buy a ring that looks stunning on her finger - so many women get given rings that look great in the box, but when they put them on the effect is less than flattering,
You can choose a style that she will find comfortable and practical - she has to wear it for a long time!
You can make sure that it fits properly - there is nothing like getting a fabulous ring that doesn't fit.
You can research together and make sure that the ring that you buy really is the best quality for your budget.
As so many couples have joint bank accounts you can budget for it together.

But what many couples do not realize is that it also creates another effect;

Often guys feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of buying a ring. With good reason, it is a big decision and there is a lot to know. Suddenly you are supposed to become diamond, jewelry and design experts and it can quickly become a man vs woman thing.

Buy buying a diamond engagement ring together you are bought closer together as a couple as you research, design and seek out the perfect ring. Just as buying a first car or house or having your first baby are moments that are unique to you, this is quality time for yourselves that you will come to cherish as the years go by and life becomes far busier.

But, wait, what about the proposal? Won't buying a diamond engagement ring together ruin it?

Your proposal is not about a fabulous ring - it is the question that is being asked that we get excited about, the ring is just the icing on the cake.

The best advice here is to talk about it. Some women like to get presented the ring the same day as the proposal, some want the proposal to be a surprise and are happy to wait to find a ring, some go to elaborate measures to make the proposal moment even more special. Some men offer the velvet case, with a request that she help him choose a ring.

Anything is possible with a little imagination.

For a comprehensive guide to buying a diamond engagement ring and to find out how to easy it is to design a stunning engagement ring that you will both love, then read Mandy's story at James Allen Reviews

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Shopping For Engagement Rings Together

Although traditionally a man would surprise his girlfriend with an engagement ring, shopping for engagement rings together has become commonplace and offers many benefits over the "old-fashioned" way of doing things.

For many centuries, men have offered their prospective bride an engagement ring when proposing marriage. The tradition goes back so many centuries that historians cannot even be sure where or when it began. One thing is for certain though; the engagement ring tradition is just as important a part of marriage today as it was hundreds of years ago.

But more and more these days, women are comfortable being part of the process. Gone all are the days of chivalry when the man would seek to "bribe" a woman into being his wife with an expensive ring. These days, women have their own money, their own taste, and expect to be involved throughout the courtship and engagement process.

As a result of this, more couples are now shopping for engagement rings together, instead of the husband-to-be going out on his own, like the lone ranger. And in general, this is a very good thing. After all, why shouldn't the woman be as much a part of this process as the man -- or even more.

If a woman is going to wear a ring on her finger for any length of time, then surely it should be one that she is comfortable with and fits her style. This last point is important because different women have very different tastes. Some would prefer white gold, and others would prefer yellow gold. Some expect to see a diamond on the engagement ring, and others are more comfortable with a simple gold or silver band.

And if you consider the alternative, shopping for engagement rings together makes a lot of sense. Often, when a man goes to buy a ring on his own, he will end up very confused about what to buy, and which type of ring his girlfriend would prefer. In these cases, men often resort to having a friend or family member go with them to be a "sounding board" when they shop for rings.

But if you're going to take a friend or family member along when shopping for engagement rings, doesn't it make much more sense to simply take the woman you plan to spend the rest of your life with? After all, she is the one who must be happy wearing the ring; not your friends or family members.

Once you've made the decision to shop for engagement rings as a couple, it is a good idea to discuss the price range you are comfortable with before you visit the jewelry stores. It doesn't have to be a specific dollar amount limit, but both partners should at least be "on the same page" before the shopping begins.

The worst-case scenario is that the woman may be completely blown away by a beautiful ring that is, unfortunately, way outside your price range. That is why it is critical that you sit down and discuss a general price range in advance -- and agree to stick to it.

Shopping for engagement rings doesn't have to be stressful, as long as you discuss things thoroughly in advance and make your decision as a couple.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on platinum engagement rings at http://www.whereyoucanbuy.com

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