How to Determine What Your Girlfriend Likes Before You Try to Find an Engagement Ring

Face it—men simply don't know as much about jewelry as women. It's in your best interest to determine what your girlfriend likes before you try to find an engagement ring, so you'd better do some sleuthing. Here's how you can avoid a look of disappointment when you open that ring box without spoiling the surprise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Some of her favorite jewelry
• A trustworthy friend of hers

1. Take a look at her jewelry box. Take note of the kinds of rings she likes and wears often. Pay attention to the band (gold, silver, or white gold) the setting (high, low, flush, bezel, tension) the stone shape and most importantly, the size.
2. Listen to her. Next time you cruise past the jewelry section in the department store and she coos over a certain item, pay close attention. Women have a way of subtly telling you what they want.
   
   
3. Ask a friend. Swear one of her close girlfriends to secrecy and then ask her for help. Find a friend who's opinion your girlfriend trusts. Bring her to the jewelry store with you when you go shopping.
   
4. Match her personality. Fit the ring to her style—be it original and flashy, traditional or bold.
   
   
5. Bring her with you. It may spoil the surprise, but it's trendy these days to go shopping for engagement rings together. Have her narrow the choices down to three, then go back later and pick one of them out. She'll still be surprised, and you'll feel confident that she'll love the one you selected.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• If you can get away with it, try smuggling some of her favorite rings into the store with you so the jeweler can help you decide.
• If you want to maintain the surprise, try popping the question with an empty ring box. If she says yes, go shopping together the next day.
• Round diamonds are the number one shape. But consider other popular shapes, such as ovals, squares and solitaire diamonds.
• Careful with family rings—it may be tradition, but what if she hates how it looks?
• The old "2 months salary" rule is a bit outdated. It's better to match your budget so you aren't in debt once you are married.
• Wide bands make fingers look smaller, so if she has dainty fingers go with something a bit more delicate.
• Don't even think about not getting a diamond! No matter how original or unconventional your woman is, diamonds are one tradition that she'll appreciate.