ahhhh I don't know!
I think my man has good taste, so I trust him...he would probably slyly ask in some way too what kind of things I perfere...

I didn't think so, but YES! I was completely blindsided and it was AMAZING!!!

I was shocked by my fiance's proposal because I had no idea it was coming! It was romantic. I'd been giving hints about what kind of ring I wanted for years, so I didn't get a "surprise" ring in the sense that I didn't have any idea what it would look like. But the custom ring he got was even better than I had ever dreamed of. And what he said to me was so romantic. I'd rather be surprised by the proposal!!

In order for me to be surprised he can't can't tell people in my family that he's about to propose. They will seriously spoil it...

Well this is a tough one. On one hand I want to be completely surprised! But on the other...I want a ring I will love, not one I'd have to learn to love and then feel guilty for not liking it. So I think I'd rather talk about what rings I like and then just be surprised by his proposal...

I would love to think that he knows me so well that he could pick out my idea of the perfect ring himself. But of course that is not reality, especially for me who never wears jewelry. I don't even know my own ring size.

I would prefer to be surprised, even if the ring isn't exactly what I wanted. It can always be exchanged or altered if I don't like it. But the thought of my boyfriend actually trying to pick out the ring on his own to surprise me would be enough to make me deliriously happy.

My DH picked out the engagement ring - he went with a very simple, tasteful Tiffany setting with a near-perfect diamond that was his mother's. The diamond is sentimental, but he had it reset just for me. I'm not sure what carat size it is (it's perfect size for my petite finger), but I do know it is near flawless. It was a surprise.

Then he told me if I didn't like it, feel free to swap out the setting. But I didn't want to do that. So instead I took charge finding my wedding band. That's where my choice came in. He took my kids off my hands so I could really focus on the shopping. I found a unique, antique-looking ring that the tiffany band slips into, making a set, and surrounding it on two sides with diamonds. It's gorgeous.

My parents have been married 45 years. When dad proposed, he was a poor college student and couldn't afford a ring. So he sold his car to buy her a miniscule diamond in a simple gold band. My mom wore it proudly for 25 years, then on their 25th anniversary, my dad surprised her with a massive anniversary band. The diamond is HUGE, and there are diamonds all over the band. It must've cost a fortune.

I think that's how it should be done, frankly. Wait until the marriage has passed a certain amount of years, then go all out, because it's been earned!!!

i picked out my ring...but had NO clue when i was going to get it. so it was still a total surprise...and i actually love it more now that it's actually mine =)

I want it to be a total surprise. I want to know NOTHING.

surprise! really want I would love to be surprised it would make it that much better not having a clue

i'd like to be surprised, but i would drop hints about the type of ring i want, or more importantly the type i DONT WANT!
i feel its pretty important to have ring you love, as you have to wear it for the rest of your life! but if your man doesnt have good taste, you need to show him things...drop hints once you're at that point in your relationship!

i picked out my ring, but now i sort of wish i let him pick one out on his own. he has better taste than i do and i would probably like what he would've picked better.

My BF and I have gone through so many issues with "the ring".

At first he didn't want any of my input, and he wanted to just find something for me and for it to be a huge surprise, but I knew that he'd want to get me a solitare, which I really, really didn't want. So I went ring shopping with my Mother, and instructed him to speak directly with her and only her (my sister-in-law has horrid taste) if it ever came time to look at rings. Well, he did that but my Mom only showed him the one ring that she liked (round, w/ pear baugettes)...whereas I had fallen in LOVE with an estate ring, circa 1948 (the same era that my band is from, it was my grandmother's).

Eventually he spills the beans b/c he's so frustrated with what to get...everyone's pushing him towards these "precision fit" rings so that my band will sit flush but I think they're kind of fug, so he was super confused.

Now, with some of my own persuasive negotiations with the 120 yr old jewelry store in our home town, they've agreed to set his grandmother's diamond in the estate ring...but only if we agree to BUY the diamond that was already in the ring...

Oh and thats just the half of it. I could go on and on...

In the end, though: I'd rather have it a surprise...but I'm so happy that the ring that will be on my hand the rest of my life is one that I truely love and not the same one that EVERYONE else has! Oh and I have no idea when I'll be proposed to...but I'm thinking our romantic getaway in Savannah in 2 weeks just might be it...

I told my boyfriend exactly what I want. I even plan on taking him shopping with me when I get my fingers sized for a ring [I need to know my ring size so I can finally place my online order for my college class ring].

I'll be surprised as to when he proposes, and if he follows directions. I'll be shocked if I end up with a ring I don't want.

I forgot to mention that neither my bf nor I like diamond rings ... so I swear I'll kick him if he gets me a diamond ring I'll never wear.

My husband and I were walking around the mall one day and he randomly pulled me into a jewelery store. We shopped around together, looked at lots of rings, tried a few on. I pointed out qualities that I liked and disliked. This was nearly a year before he actually proposed, so I'd nearly forgotten about it! When he did propose, he had picked the diamond and the setting out himself, with what I liked in mind. The proposal was a complete surprise, which is great, and there was no ring remorse!

I picked out mine!

I think i would drop hints along the way....like the shape of the diamond maybe, but that's it. The rest I want to be a surprise. This is a gift from him to me, not from me to myself haha

Oh, I guess I forgot to mention: I did make it loud and clear that I did NOT want a yellow gold band, under any circumstances.... I much prefer white gold.

I am very picky and I hardly wear jewelry except for watches and the occasional necklace, so I want to pick out my own ring!

I definitely wish it had been more of a surprise. We went ring shopping, which was fine, but he wanted me to pick out the exact style that I wanted, instead of giving several options. Plus, we live together and share expenses, so I knew he was saving for it.

I want it to be a total surprise! I think my bf has great taste, but since jewelry isn't really an area he's too familiar with, I think he'd be smart enough to ask my sister or friends for help... I hope.

I actually just went shopping for a ring a couple of weeks ago with my boyfriend. Neither of us are into surprises so it was a mutual decision to go shopping together. My boyfriend's reasoning was that he wanted to make sure that I got what I wanted because "it's going to be on my finger forever". I thought it was a great bonding experiencing for us and it was especially awesome of him to be so particular about what I wanted. I have to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ring I'll be getting soon!

Oh and I changed my mind about a zillion times before I decided on THE ring.

I've been pointing out rings I like to my boyfriend for a while, but he has really good taste in jewellery (my Mom still doesn't really believe he didn't have help in selecting the pieces he's gotten me so far). I want the proposal itself to be a complete surprise, but I've already had a bit of a hand in what type of ring I'm going to get.

I gave my fiance tips on the different cuts and styles, I told him what I liked, didn't like and what size and the ring he picked is awesome and I love it.

He has sent me several links to things he says and just like everything else he is right on point. If and when it happens I would rather be surprised. Our whole relationship he has kept me on my toes and I am sure then when he does it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life ... that is also a quote from him

I am really really picky about my jewelry and I only like certain engagement rings. I did fall in love with a limited edition ring at a jewelry store... well, it has now been taken off of their website and I don't know if I will get it! I did print off several pictures of it (different angles) so maybe I can have it somewhat recreated. He knows that is the particular style is what I like. So ideally I'd get that ring and the actual proposal would be a surprise! lol

I think I'd like to be surprised, but maybe with some suggestions from me, and I'd hope he'd employ the help of my mom, his mom, my girlfriends or something (I trust their taste).

I always liked the thought of being totally surprised, but I'm so incredibly picky about the type of ring I want, me not knowing was out of the question. I also don't wear much jewelry, so I have to really love the item (either b/c of the look or the sentiment behind it). My boyfriend (now fiance) knew this, he is also older than me & I believe that played a part in his refusing to pick out a ring himself. He did this because he wanted me to have EXACTLY what I wanted, then he wanted to take it from there (he was intent on getting the biggest diamond(s) he could-thank God we couldn't afford a huge rock b/c I, in all honesty, would NOT feel comfortable w/ a 3 carat diamond & it wouldn't look right on my kinda small hands).

We did a little shopping around, and when I'd see a ring I kinda liked, I'd turn to my boyfriend & ask what he thought-he REFUSED to have any kind of opinion, he said he wanted me to find what I wanted & not be swayed by him. I wanted something very simple & clean, I LOVE emerald cut, but know that they're prone to getting dirty easily & losing their luster if you don't constantly clean it. Then I discovered the Asscher cut. I did some research online & found THE ring-we then searched jewelry stores, finding nothing, & ended up at Robbins Bros. (it's exclusively engagement rings-only in Tx & Ca, I think). Unfortunately, they didn't have one anywhere close to what I wanted, so we had it custom made. I now have my dream ring: a 1.5 carat Asscher cut center stone, flanked by 2 .75 trapazoid cut diamonds on a thick (not wide) platinum band. I plan on getting a simple platinum wedding band.

The way we did it worked for us b/c we knew after only a few months of dating that we were going to get married & were "unofficially" engaged for years before he could afford to get the ring. Another reason I prefer our way is that I would hate to have him pick out a ring on his own that wasn't my taste-of course I'd love it b/c it came from the love of my life, but if I didn't absolutely adore the look of it, I know it just wouldn't feel right. Thank goodness he knows me well enough to realized that I had extremely specific ideas about what I wanted & he never even contemplated going it alone. (We've been together 6 years-he proposed on Christmas day 2 years ago by waking me up with a beautiful box tied w/ a simple but gorgeous ribbon). I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I think most men (if you're proposing) should know what their s/o would like. I mean you should know her pretty well if you're proposing.

If not get some .02 from her mother/sister/best friend.

SURPRISE! If the guy does'nt know your taste its not meant to be lol

my fiance had given me a stack of catalogs and pictures of rings and he said choose the two that you really fell in love with well i found the two and months later this past superbowl he proposed with the ring that i choose i was so caught off gaurd, only his mother knew of the proposal

Most guys I know ask their girlfriend or at least someone close to her what she likes. I gave my husband an idea of what I liked when he asked me which cut and metal I preferred.

But we didn't go ring shopping together and I didn't select the exact ring I wanted. I personally wanted SOME suprise...I think it's more romantic than going to a store and saying "oh, I want THAT one". That's just not my style.

I think a little bit of surprise makes it more romantic and exciting.

I was completly surprised at my engagement in January! I didn't get the exact ring I had my eye on, but after hearing how long and seriously he took with picking it out, it made it all the more special and i absolutly love it!

I want to be completely surprised. But me and the boy have cruised through jewellery stores so I could point out what I like. But as far as for when he will ask, I have no idea and I like that.

There wasn't much surprise in our proposal. We'll be living apart a few years after marriage, so we talked for quite some time if we really wanted to go through with this, since we know it will be hard. Knowing he was going to propose, he had no problems asking what I liked -- I told him I wanted a platinum setting, asscher cut, and the setting itself had to be low because I'm a scientist and I wear gloves all day and a tall ring would be too uncomfortable to fit under my gloves.

Dudes, here's what you do. You give all your details to your mom deploy her to drop the awkward hints. You know moms live for that.

I always thought I wanted to be surprised, but then my ex-fiance did surprise me with a proposal. He screwed up BADLY on the proposal AND the ring (although no, that is not why he is my ex! I said yes and we split up a year later.) He was very self-centred about both - thinking only of what he would want and giving no thought to what I would want. Now that I've been through that experience of being disappointed by both the proposal and the ring, and I had a year to come to terms with it before the relationship ended, I think the ring is more important to me because you have to wear that forever but the proposal is only a few moments of your life. So I think in future, I would rather pick out the ring myself next time or at least drop some strong hints.

However even if you know a proposal is coming, I think you can still be surprised by it if you don't know exactly when & how it is coming. So you could have your cake and eat it too... pick your ring and be surprised by the proposal!

I always thought I wanted to be surprised, but then my ex-fiance did surprise me with a proposal. He screwed up BADLY on the proposal AND the ring (although no, that is not why he is my ex! I said yes and we split up a year later.) He was very self-centred about both - thinking only of what he would want and giving no thought to what I would want. Now that I've been through that experience of being disappointed by both the proposal and the ring, and I had a year to come to terms with it before the relationship ended, I think the ring is more important to me because you have to wear that forever but the proposal is only a few moments of your life. So I think in future, I would rather pick out the ring myself next time or at least drop some strong hints.

However even if you know a proposal is coming, I think you can still be surprised by it if you don't know exactly when & how it is coming. So you could have your cake and eat it too... pick your ring and be surprised by the proposal!

I'd want to be surprised... But...whoever my future fiance is.... I hope he's smart enough to ask my best friend or twin sister for advice on the ring!!!!!!!!!!!!

100% surprised. I don't pick out my birthday or xmas presents, so why would I pick this? My husband knew me well enough to pick the perfect ring for me!

the last few friends that he's bought me are nice and i like them but i think i'd want to be surprised with my ring but i'd want my ring to be perfect/....i guess i want him to choose the ring but i can still change it if i want to!!

He bought you nice friends, lady-T? That's a good boyfriend. Sorry, couldn't help myself

I told my fiance that I wanted a platinum setting and princess cut. I also said I liked the settings with small diamonds. I didn't pick out any specific rings.

He picked it out based on what I said, and I was blown away by how beautiful it was. He didn't have any help at all, even though I told him to ask my friend for help with shopping. He wanted to do it all on his own. He didn't even tell anyone, not a soul, that he was proposing!

The ring is amazing; it turned out even better than the examples I looked at. The size of the diamond is perfect for me. I wouldn't want it any bigger or smaller. He did good. So I still managed to be surprised but was also really satisfied with the selection! Best of both worlds.

My bf has very *specific* requests for the whole thing (must be platinum, everything must match) and he also wants something that I will love every single day of my life till I'm dead LOL; so he told me, find the rings. I found them. He approves. As for when? I have no idea... He wants to ask my parent's blessing first. So, after that... He wants to ask my parent's blessing first. So, after that.
I don't like surprises. I have an anxiety disorder.

I will wear this ring for the rest of my life....I want to be absolutely in love with it. And while I want my love to amaze me with a proposal, I want input on my ring. Sorry but too much of a commitment to leave up to your hopeful thoughts that he buys the right ring.

I'd rather it be a surprise. If you truly hate it hopefully your guy is man enough to want you to exchange it for something more your style.

Oh heck no. When I went ring shopping with my now-husband, he kept steering me towards rings that were completely the opposite of what I wanted. He was attracted to massive solitaires that stuck up really high...I ended up with a lovely antique-looking ring with a streamlined setting; so glad he took me shopping with him!!

There really are no great surprises in life any more and most of me is grateful for that, except in this case.

When it happens, I want to be totally and completely surprised.

I have two very distinct rings I like and most of the standard bridal sets don't do much for me. I also have a diamond that was my Grandmothers that could be incorporated if it fit. I also don't want any new diamonds because I have strong feelings about the diamond trade...

So taking all that in mind, I told Mr. March when he became Mr. The One (it was about 5 weeks into it) that I was going to tell him something once and then I never wanted to talk about it again. I told him when the time came I wanted to be completely surprised and that my two best friends had a good idea of the kind of ring I wanted (specific pictures actually) and that one of the friends had my Grandmothers ring in her safety deposit box and the rest was up to him.

This tactic isn't appropriate for all relationships and certainly the timing has to be right but in our case it worked well.

I wanted to be 100% surprised, but my dh didn't want to buy something that I didn't like. So we compromised. We looked at several jewerly stores and I showed him rings that I liked. We narrowed it down to my three favorites. And he did end up buying the one I liked the very best.

Funny aside, I worked at the mall where the jewelry store was located and it had been in the shop's main window display. When it was removed, I just KNEW that dh was going to propose soon. And I was excited beyond words the entire time I was waiting for the proposal. I did know the night he was going to propose because of the bid deal he made about our fancy date and dinner and that he requested I wear a certain dress---- something he had never done before. HOW he proposed tho' was a complete surprise and absolutely wonderful.

Oh, I forgot to mention that dh was so concerned about getting the right ring because I didn't want a diamond. I wanted something that was unique. He bought me a beautiful marquis cut ruby surrounded on top and bottom by a wave of tiny diamonds. After being married 10 years he had a GORGEOUS anniversery band of alternating diamonds and rubies custom made. It is truly stunning and I am constantly complimented on it.

Also, in my culture, the engagement must have two stones. One to represent the man and one two represent the woman. Plus the engagement ring is a totally seperate ring from the wedding ring which is traditionally a wedding band. We picked the wedding bands together. Band on left hand, my engagement ring on right.