Engagement ring question for the ladies.

[Anonymous]

I personally love canary diamonds.

My DH has HORRIBLE taste in jewelry and I insisted on going ring shopping with him. The engagement ring that he had set aside for me was not only ridiculously expensive it was also horrid. I ended up picking a ring half the price and 3x prettier.

If your girlfriend has liked your taste in jewelry in the past, OP, then go for it. If she hasn't, however, then hold out on buying the ring until she can be present.

[Anonymous]

My jeweler gave me a great tip when I proposed 11 years ago. She told me that I had 60 days to return an item with store credit towards any other purchase. So I purchased a slightly smaller ring than I could afford that was the right size. I popped the question and gave her the ring. When we returned home (I proposed on a cruise), we went to the jeweler together and she selected the ring she wanted and we returned the first ring and bought the second ring. This way I had a surprise ring to pop the question with, but she still got to pick out her ring. We were both very happy with the results. Talk with your jeweler to see if this is an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: What is a canary diamond?

It's yellow.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Like shiny, frozen urine.

Don't do it, OP. Pop the question with a cheerio and then go ring shopping (if she even wants to spend a fortune on a silly piece of jewelry.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My jeweler gave me a great tip when I proposed 11 years ago. She told me that I had 60 days to return an item with store credit towards any other purchase. So I purchased a slightly smaller ring than I could afford that was the right size. I popped the question and gave her the ring. When we returned home (I proposed on a cruise), we went to the jeweler together and she selected the ring she wanted and we returned the first ring and bought the second ring. This way I had a surprise ring to pop the question with, but she still got to pick out her ring. We were both very happy with the results. Talk with your jeweler to see if this is an option.

Great idea.

My DH also has not-so-great taste in jewelry and it's taken me forever to feel okay about suggesting shopping together for it. 25th anniversary coming up in a year, and this time it will be my choice!

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. But you aren't marrying me. So yes, like PPs have said, find a way to figure out what SHE likes.

[Anonymous]

I would love it. But that's me.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, ladies (OP here). I appreciate the suggestions and comments. She knows the proposal is coming. I did want to choose a ring myself, but she pointed out some she liked. She likes the emerald cut antique style rings (the one I am considering is of this type). She hasn't said anything about diamond color, and I haven't asked. Based on some of the comments here, I think a simple "How do you feel about colored diamonds?" is in order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What is a canary diamond?

It's yellow.

Ick.

[Anonymous]

I would also love it. Am I the only one who wouldn't want to be consulted on a ring? I think you should find the woman in your office who dresses the best and ask her. As much as I want a ring that I LOVE, I think picking it out myself totally ruins it.

[Anonymous]

17:11 Really? Does DH also pick out your clothes and hairdo?

[Anonymous]

I agree to ask her, OP! Women don't get married out of high school anymore. Chances are, she has been out in the world and has established taste. You never know what she likes, and it is a big investment. I would never have the same taste as my MIL, for example.

[Anonymous]

First of all, are you SURE it's a canary diamond and not a low-grade yellow diamond a jeweler is trying to pass off as a canary diamond "at a steal"? There's a huge difference but if you're not a big jewelry aficionado, it can be really easy to get taken for a ride on stuff like this.

Second of all, normally I think it's really sweet and romantic for the man to pick out the ring he wants to propose with. Call me old fashioned, but I like that. However- colored stones are such a matter of personal preference that I would not suggest buying a yellow stone as an engagement ring unless you know your girlfriend likes colored stones. Personally, I hate them, and never wear them and would have been pretty sad (in a petty way) had my husband proposed with a colored stone- they're just not me. If you want to propose with a canary (and get it verified as a canary by a reputable jeweler/third party) be sure first, whether by dropping not-so-subtle hints or flat out asking, that your girlfriend actually likes colored stones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also love it. Am I the only one who wouldn't want to be consulted on a ring? I think you should find the woman in your office who dresses the best and ask her. As much as I want a ring that I LOVE, I think picking it out myself totally ruins it.

Me too. But then again, outside of that I don't wear a lot of jewelry. He had a vintage ring and checked it with my best friend for taste appropriateness. And the "how do you feel about [shape] diamonds?" was the strangest question of my life.

[Anonymous]

PP's who said this before are right: You need to ask her mother/sister/BF to see if it would be her thing.