I have an old-fashioned emerald-cut diamond ring, with a tapered baguette on each side, just like my grandmother had. I love my engagement ring. I do not like canary diamonds.

I also got engaged without a ring; we got the ring later. DH and I agreed that the engagement itself is the agreement to marry, between the two of us. The ring is just a fun piece of jewelry to celebrate that agreement. I would have felt that making jewelry such an intrinsic part of the engagement would cheapen the emotional meaning of the moment.

Which is not to say I don't like jewelry - I LOVE jewelry, and welcome it for all occasions. But it's important to distinguish between the event itself, and a gift commemorating the event. I say propose without the ring, then ask if she wants to shop together, or have you choose something as a gift.

Wow. Based on the responses here, maybe you should just give her your credit card and ask what time you need to be at the church.

Such a romantic and appreciative bunch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the opportunity to buy a canary diamond engagement ring for my girlfriend. It's a great stone at a great price (a friend of a friend is a jeweler). The ring is beautiful. Just not sure if she would be happy with a canary diamond. Looking for opinions from some ladies about canary diamonds. Would you be happy with one as an engagement ring?

It doesn't have to be this big... but this is simply beautiful:

It's simple and elegant.

I love this ring! In the 12 years since I picked our my ring (which is much simpler), I have never seen a style a like better than this one. Crap, now I want a new ring!

Canary diamonds are indeed beautiful and if it were good quality, I would love one, but not everyone is a fan of them. I would definitely discuss it with her, maybe do some browsing someplace and see if she expresses an interest? At least then you will know her taste before you ask. If you don't want to bring your gf in to the mix, at least enlist her bff in the selection process.

Anonymous wrote:I have the opportunity to buy a canary diamond engagement ring for my girlfriend. It's a great stone at a great price (a friend of a friend is a jeweler). The ring is beautiful. Just not sure if she would be happy with a canary diamond. Looking for opinions from some ladies about canary diamonds. Would you be happy with one as an engagement ring?

It doesn't have to be this big... but this is simply beautiful:

It's simple and elegant.

DH designed my engagement ring after getting general guidance on what kind of settings I liked. Love the ring to this day.

We went shopping together for my "push present," another substantial ring. Most stressful experience of my life!

I'm glad he picked it out, but I agree with the PPs - don't spring the canary diamond. I would love a canary diamond (if I had a free ring finger to wear it on), but not as my engagement ring.

Anonymous wrote:Picking out my ring was one of the most fun things I have done in my life.

+1

I like emerald cuts and I like canary diamonds, but the combination sounds terrible for some reason. (I *love* emerald-cut sapphires and rubies, though.) Also, while I like canary diamonds in theory, I would never want one for myself as they're all wrong for my skin tone.
What you're describing sounds way too niche to spring it on someone. I'm in the "propose with a ring pop, go shopping together" camp.

Anonymous wrote:I love my husband but have always disliked the ring he picked. I wore it one year and haven't worn it since (married 10 years this summer). I just wear my wedding band.

I still sort of resent the fact that he bought what he wanted without consulting me. Yes, I know I sound obnoxious but he bought something that was completely not my taste to surprise me when he knew all along that I would have loved to go ring shopping.

I completely agree. I also dislike my ring but I can do you one better: my DH had his father and step mother pick it out. Yup, still bothers me to this day.

Still besotted with my DH after all these years, yet completely agree with PPs: don't spring an engagement ring. Get a sense of style, interest, preference, etc. I finally got my then fiance' to understand when I picked out an enormous, gaudy pinky ring for him and insisted that I wanted it for his wedding ring. He balked and said, "I can't wear that." I didn't even have to reply. Sad that I had to go to that length for him to finally grasp it. But all is well. I ended up inheriting some great rings and we are quite happy.

Go with bigger with si1 rather than smaller prefect cuts

Picking out my ring was one of the most fun things I have done in my life.

I love my husband but have always disliked the ring he picked. I wore it one year and haven't worn it since (married 10 years this summer). I just wear my wedding band.

I still sort of resent the fact that he bought what he wanted without consulting me. Yes, I know I sound obnoxious but he bought something that was completely not my taste to surprise me when he knew all along that I would have loved to go ring shopping.

OP you are going to get some crazy ass answers on DCUM. It's safest to ask your gf OR better yet have her friend ask and then get the info! Especially with a colored diamond.

Personally I don't like them but your gf might love it! Goodluck!

Op, first as someone said, you need to make sure you can return the ring - a reputable jeweler will permit this! Also, I agree that you need to ask her - not her mom, not her BFF, not her sister - none of those people in my life could predict exactly what ring I'd prefer. If your GF is very traditional and you think she would not want to be consulted on her ring, then my guess is she will not like a canary diamond anyway (b/c it's not traditional). I would love the ring you described, fwiw. Oh, and congrats, I hope she says yes!