i think that in most cases, you would have shown him something you liked in passing in a store or a magazine but i'm not interested in going to pick out the ring and knowing exactly which ring i'm getting...i find it very tacky and unromantic

First of all, my husband has great taste ( UH OBVIOUSLY) haha, so I wasn't worried, but when I knew the proposal was coming, I went looking with my mom who could then drop hints if he wanted them. I just picked bunches that I liked so I would still be surprised, but not unpleasantly.

Unless he knew exactly what I wanted, I'd hate someone else to choose my ring. I'd hope for a proposal with a token ring and then to go looking together. You're going to wear it for the rest of your life, it's got to be exactly what you want.

Let him know what you like beforehand when you two talk about it. Hopefully you have someone with great taste and don't have to think about it again until it is on your finger.

My husband bought me a vintage ring from about 1915 with filagree around the entire piece. I could not have picked out anything more perfect for me. I didn't want a diamond but he went against my wishes with an older piece as the justification since it was previously harvested. I didn't think I would like it but he has great taste.

I would want to have discussed what I wanted at some point, and then maybe shopped together a little to point out good examples. But I would want the shopping together to be early on, like when we aren't even planning on getting engaged anytime soon or anything, lol. So that way he'll remember what I want way on down the road, and there won't be any shopping or even discussing it together, so it will all be a total surprise, LOL.

I think the element of surprise is important. My boyfriend has already asked me what kind of ring I would like and when we watch TV he'll point ones out and ask if I like those. He's also asked me what kind of wedding ceremony I would like. I'm lucky that he's not afraid to talk about events in the future even if we probably wouldn't get married for a few years!

I dislike knowing what I am getting. It's beautiful and even more so because he took the time to pick it for me, not just what I circled in a catalog or what I pointed at. But, I'm the mushy romantic type. To each her own.

My fiance and I have a friend who works at a jewelry shop, and he encouraged me to look at rings on my own and I went ahead and picked out my top three settings. That way he had a choice of the three as well as getting to pick out the diamond on his own. I had no idea he was going to propose as soon as he did, so it was still a huge surprise to me, with part of the surprise being which ring he chose.

I already confessed to him a dream I had once, where he proposed with an awful looking ring, haha, so I have a feeling I'll be picking my own out! Though he really doesn't have bad taste, and I'd prefer it otherwise, I'm also particular about jewelry (and since I rarely wear any, he doesn't have much else to go on).

I would give him suggestion of what I like. When my ex and I were thinking about getting engaged, we went around to the jewelry stores and I showed him rings that appealed to me.

We didn't really mean to pick out a ring together, but it was all in the timing. We'd gone to our local jewelry store to look at rings/ get my finger sized, and it just so happened that everything we were looking for in a ring was in the estate section (we'd discussed what we wanted in a ring prior, but I knew my taste in art deco style bands could get expensive, and I wasn't comfortable spending over a certain amount). Since it was an estate ring (and a really good deal), we knew we'd have to act fast. We went to one other store first, just to make sure there was nothing else we liked more, and the next morning he called and had the ring put on hold. I'll agree, though, the waiting game is the worst!

We talked about different types before we got engaged....it helped that friends all around us were "dropping like flies", so there were a lot around to compare w/o actually setting foot in a store. I had thought that I wanted a three diamond setting; however, he took a chance and got a solitaire, which I absolutely love! The setting is gorgeous and so elegant.

I told my bf to pick it out himself. He's done some research on rings, but I know nothing and I love it. I don't know when it's coming, so I don't know if we'll live together for years or get married this summer. I like it that way. It's a gift to me from him, I shouldn't have any input because, if he knows me well, he'll know what to get me. I have faith in him.

If you both are thinking about marriage, or if its just on the horizon, I think you should go ring shopping, so he knows what you like (cut, gold or platinum, etc) nothing worse than getting a ring you dont like!

I'd show him the *type* of thing I wanted and then let him pick something meaningful. I'd rather he have some element of choice, especially because I'd much rather have something unique or vintage. And mainly I want something simple, so other than that he can go to town.

i've shown him what types of rings I would like so he pretty much knows. but I wouldn't mind going shopping together, picking out a couple and having him pick the one.

I think it's fine to ring shop together. My hubby was clueless when it came to buying the ring. I had a friend who's a jeweler help us out with everything and it was great fun! Now I have a kicka$$ ring that we got to pick out together.

It's a tough question. I want to be surprised. But I don't want to be surprised with a crappy-looking ring. I've mentioned to my boyfriend before that when he's ready to propose to me, he should talk to my one friend, who knows my taste really well.

Its not a big deal to me if it works for some people. My boyfriend has a pretty good idea of my taste so I trust he'll do a good job lol plus I want to be surprised. We've been in situations where we see a ring somewhere and he'll hint that he knows that i will like that one and it ends up being pretty accurate.

He'll choose it. I just know he will. He chooses all of my clothes when we go shopping and has excellent taste. I trust him to pick a good one. =)

I worry he'll spend too much though and if I went shopping with him I'd always go for the cheaper ones to try and save us money!

He knows anything from Tiffany's is fine though.

eh, I'd rather watch Sarah Haskins

http://current.com/items/89614245/sarah_haskins_in_target_women_jewelry....

I think giving him input is okay but to go out and say, "that is what I want..." and expect that exact ring is a tad tacky.

He knows that I want an antique ring (if it must be a diamond) or something very different and beautiful w/ an exotic stone. Anyway, he knows my taste and he is also close with my best girlfriends, so it's not like he would be out of research options.

i chose my ring. and i'm glad i did because he would've chosen something very different.

Before I received what is now my engagement ring, I would NEVER have chosen it for myself in a million years. I thought I wanted a different cut, a different setting, a different size diamond... and now that I have it, it's the most perfect, beautiful, elegant ring I could have ever imagined. I guess something changes when you take into consideration the importance of the event and how much you love who you're going to marry.
He did let me pick out my wedding band, however : )

We went to various jewelry stores together and tried some different styles and sizes on and I let him know which styles I really liked. He picked out the actual ring and surprised me with it, though. I loved it...it was almost exactly what I would have picked out myself. I did get to pick out the wedding bands later on, so it was all good.

It was pretty easy for me; i knew i wanted to use my great-grandmother's wedding set, and he was down with that!

I would hint or if he asked, show/tell him ideas however I do not want to choose one; I prefer the surprise. I think it is more meaningful if he set out and chose the ring himself.

My husband proposed first (using a family ring as a token), and then we picked out a ring together. But if he'd just picked a ring on his own I don't think I would have minded. I'm not that picky.

we are in the processing of going thru all of this right now! I have decided to go with my best friend and mom to look at rings and then my mom is going with my boyfriend to pick the final ring of choice.

A subject after my own heart. Jewelry.

As for me, I had a particular dream ring in mind. However, truthfully, I never thought I would own it, as it was exclusive, and high-end designer (in other words, it was damn pricey). I didn't want to go into debt over a ring. As much as I love jewelry, I'm more sensible than that.

So, I chose a couple of artisan-design pieces. They were well-designed, but did not carry the high-end designer price tag.

I left the finally decision up to my husband, as well as the diamond carat weight.

To my shock, when he actually proposed, he presented me with my dream ring (with my ideal diamond weight). I almost fell off my seat. Somehow, he purchased the ring without going into debt. Of course, I said yes.

i actually got my diamond ring for my first anni, and i picked out the design. win win for me and him.

We went shopping together. I wanted a lab made diamond, but he was skeptical. Fortunately we live fairly close to the retail store for the lab, so we went together to check them out in person. I picked out 2 that I liked, but couldn't decide between them, so I told him to make the final decision.

It's already been picked out. Now I'm just waiting for it

I used to think that I wanted to go to the jewelry store together and that would be how we got engaged, but now having been through 2 of my best friends engagements and hearing their stories, I want a story like that too!

My husband randomly pulled me into a jewelery store one day and we looked at rings. No proposal had been made. We used the time to both become familiar with color/cut/clarity/size/gold vs platinum and the like. I don't wear much jewelry, so I learned a thing or too, as well! I pointed out things I liked. Quite a while later (9 months or so, I think. Long enough for me to brush it to the back of my mind) he proposed and it was a complete surprise, and the ring was perfect

I'm nowhere near ready to get married, but just from conversation, knowing my personality, and getting my style (well, as much as a guy ever can understand women's style!), I'm sure he could pick one I love. I've never shopped for rings in my life before, but I'd imagine if he went in with a rough idea of what he thought I'd want, they would be able to point him in the right direction. I think it would take the fun and romance out of it, unless (like Turkey Jerky said) I'd forgotten or pushed it to the back of my mind.

I think it's good to talk about it, who wants a ring they don't like, no matter how much they are in love? My boyfriend knows what I like and don't like. I wouldn't want to actually pick it out because not only would I want the proposal to be a surprise but I would like the ring to be also.

I can't wait to go ring shopping. It's going to be one of the most important and sentimental pieces I'll ever wear, so it has tobe so beautiful it's to die for!

I'm VERY picky and know exactly which ring I want. I want a pear diamond, Katherine Heigl's ring to be exact. I haven't seen anything even remotely like it stores. So my boyfriend will just have to take the pictures I have of it and have it made. It will still be a complete surprise seeing it in person for the first time!

We designed my pear shaped diamond solitaire ring together and I didn't get to see the final product until he proposed. So it was still a surprise.

My wedding band was also custom-made and I love it. I haven't seen anyone else with a pink sapphire and diamond channel set band!

I don't think picking out the engagement ring you want is tacky at all. I think it reflects the more modern, confident belief that marriage is a partnership, something you embark on together, not something that happens to you. I think that's a little silly. Most women know when a proposal is coming, so why the games? My fiance proposed to me with his grandma's ring, then we went together to the jewelry store and designed an engagement ring. It was much more fun and bonding doing it together, and hey it's my ring! I'd like some say it what a piece of jewelry I'm going to wear forever looks like.

My FI and I had looked whenever we'd pass our favorite jewlery store, but it wasn't like I expected anything. However I do find it important to show him examples of what you like. Imagine getting something that was completely not you and having to wear it forever? Even though he knew what I wanted, when it came to proposal time, I had NO idea. I find it ridiculous that you say looking at rings together makes it just a waiting game. Like I said, I was comppletely and udderly surprised and shocked and got the rink I wanted. If you never discuss a potential engagement and you've been in a relationship for years where a proposal could happen, then you're in trouble.

My FI and I had looked whenever we'd pass our favorite jewlery store, but it wasn't like I expected anything. However I do find it important to show him examples of what you like. Imagine getting something that was completely not you and having to wear it forever? Even though he knew what I wanted, when it came to proposal time, I had NO idea. I find it ridiculous that you say looking at rings together makes it just a waiting game. Like I said, I was comppletely and udderly surprised and shocked and got the rink I wanted. If you never discuss a potential engagement and you've been in a relationship for years where a proposal could happen, then you're in trouble.

completely* and ring*

we went together. his idea. I'd rather have it that way.
My long time ago ex was planning on proposing and had one picked out. after we broke up he told me that, and it sounded really ugly. I'm SOOOO glad it never happened!!!!!!!

We have known we were going to eventually marry almost since we met, so the engagement wasn't ever going to be a surprise. :0) I picked out my ring, and it is literally the most beautiful engagment ring I've ever seen! It took nothing away from his asking me, down on one knee, to marry him. :0)

We would know eachother well enough by then. My guy will have style & class so I would trust & love anything he picked out if he chose to surprise me. If it happens that he wants to look around a little ahead of time to see what style I like or what looks good on my finger, that's fine, too.

My hub was a clueless guy when it comes to 'fashion' or anything that looks good (I hope he's not behind me reading as I'm typing this )
I found this out when he gave me a 'promise' ring (well, I called it that, although it was intended to be the engagement ring LOL). He realized I might not like the ring too much because I rarely wore them (well, my excuse was since I was doing a lot around the house, it and when I tried to wear gloves, the ring always got stuck ).
He ended up bringing me to the jewelry store and picked another ring beside the wedding band, so I chose what I liked.
He's asked me to marry me like a long time before that happened plus I'm not such a 'romantic' type who wants to have a 'story' to tell about my engagement so I guess my stand about the topic is I totally support choosing a ring together.

I'm against a guy proposing to me with the ring. I need him to know that it has nothing to do with my answer. I'd rather get the ring after we celebrated the proposal in bed the next morning. Like in 'Stepmom'. That was sweet.
If I'm going to marry him I should trust he knows my tastes well enough to pick out a thoughtful ring. If it was yellow gold or some gawdy-sized emerald cut colored diamond, for example... we shouldn't be getting married because he clearly doesn't know me.