our weekly column from the wedding babe offers a woman’s response to common questions we receive from grooms. today, our topic is whether or not you should take your girlfriend on an engagement ring (window) shopping trip.

The Wedding Babe thinks it can never hurt to do a little window shopping to see what she likes... and doesn't like.

Q – I’m planning a surprise marriage proposal. Should I still plan on taking my girlfriend ring shopping?

Before you pop the question, should you take your girlfriend ring shopping? If you want your proposal to be a total surprise and you already have a good idea about what kind of ring your girlfriend likes (possibly even down to the color, cut and size — turns out you really were listening when she dropped all those hints!), then you can forgo a shopping trip.

But otherwise, taking her ring shopping is a great idea. There are so many options available when it comes to engagement rings, you don’t want to make a completely uneducated guess and risk disappointing her. Picture this: You get down on one knee with a heart-shaped diamond ring in yellow gold, only to find out later that she wanted a traditional white gold round diamond ring. Awkward… Don’t let this happen to you. Most likely at this point in your relationship, you both know that marriage is on the horizon, so why not see what ring options are out there ahead of time and get a better idea of what she likes? Remember, this is a ring that she’ll wear every single day and should absolutely love.

Although you don’t have to tell her how much you’re planning to spend or if you’ll absolutely be getting a specific ring, at least you’ll have her input, which will make it easier to make this big purchase when the time comes. Trust me; she’ll definitely appreciate the opportunity to clue you in on what she has in mind. And just imagine the look on her face when you propose with her dream engagement ring….

—

Stay tuned each week as we’ll be posting new advice from The Wedding Babe (as well as more info on the babe herself). If you’ve got a burning question for her, please submit it here. And please, no more requests for dates. The Wedding Babe is a happily married woman.. who could probably kick your ass.

Are you planning a shopping trip with your girlfriend to look at ring styles? Has she been dropping hints on what type of finger candy she wants to wear for the rest of her life? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

mythbusters happens to be one of our favorite tv shows. whiteflash.com happens to be one of favorite experts in the wedding industry. put them together and you’ve got a top-notch breakdown of five myths all grooms should be aware of when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. the only downside is we don’t get to blow anything up.

Myth: Engagement ring shopping has to be one of the most stressful, frightening shopping experience in a guy’s life. Fact: With a little information and guidance, you can pick out the perfect engagement ring without going gray. You can, in fact, be confident in your choice and know that you are buying a ring she will wear with pride for years and years.

The best way to approach buying a diamond ring is to think of it like buying a new car. When you are thinking about buying a new car, you don’t just watch a couple dramatic commercials and then swipe your credit card. You read up on fuel efficiency, performance and handling, fuel efficiency, and then weigh your options carefully, so you know you are buying the model that is right for you and your lifestyle. Personal taste plays an important role, of course, but information is key. Still feeling nervous to buy a diamond? Start with the clarity of diamonds, and learn more before you make the big purchase.

Let’s debunk some of those myths that are making engagement ring shopping such a daunting prospect.

Myth: The engagement ring has to be a surprise.
Although the chick flicks would have us believe that the girl is shocked when the guy whips out that little velvet box, chances are, if you are thinking about marriage, she is too, and you’ve probably even discussed it. She knows what’s coming.

Although tradition would tell you to ask her best friend for help choosing the engagement ring, you should probably do that only if you’re pretty confident in your engagement ring choosing abilities or if you know she loves surprises. These days, more couples than ever are going engagement ring shopping together, which allows the girl to finally get to have an opinion about the one piece of jewelry she will probably wear more than any other. And remember, you can always present a non-surprise engagement ring with a creative proposal that will take her by surprise.

Myth: You have to be a gemologist to know how to pick a good diamond.
It might not be as gripping as Car and Driver, but the educational section of a jewelry website that specializes in engagement rings will tell you everything you need to know about diamonds and engagement rings.

Frequent some online forums where educated consumers will be discussing everything from fluorescence to crown angles. (Don’t worry if you don’t know what those are quite yet.) Focus on the Four C’s—Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Try to pick up some of the important vocabulary words so you’ll be able to make an informed choice when it comes time to buy the loose diamond, and remember that it all comes down to personal preference.

L - Whiteflash Double Halo with Amphora Setting. R - The Katie Engagement Ring

Myth: Women are mysterious creatures, and their choices in jewelry and clothes will never be understood by men.
Especially if you are planning on surprising her with the engagement ring, it is now time to start paying attention to your girlfriend’s taste in everything from jewelry to makeup. Consider her lifestyle—a preschool teacher who works with her hands will probably want a ring with a low profile that won’t get caught on anything, while an interior decorator known for her sleek design concepts will probably be looking for something with modern flair. There are literally thousands of engagement ring settings available, so in order to choose the engagement rings of her dreams, put yourself in your girlfriend’s impractical high-heeled shoes for a few minutes. Would she appreciate the glittery look of a halo setting, or maybe the alternative elegance of a sapphire center stone?

Myth: Engagement rings have to cost exactly two month’s salary.
Once you see all the stunning engagement rings available, it’s pretty easy to let your imagination take hold and start bookmarking engagement rings that cost more than your house. In order to make a responsible purchase, you will want to think about budget very carefully. Yes, a diamond engagement ring is an investment, both literally and symbolically, but at the same time, you aren’t doing your fiancée any favors if you spend money you don’t have on her engagement ring. The two months salary rule is quoted often, but it isn’t set in stone—you have to decide what makes sense for you.

Think long term—reputable jewelry houses like Whiteflash often offer a lifetime upgrade policy—which means that you can trade in your current diamond for a bigger or better one and only pay the difference forever. Also, keep in mind that no two engagement rings are exactly the same—the same dollar amount is going to amount to slightly different characteristics in two different stones. When in doubt, opt for quality (i.e. cut) over quantity, or carat size.

Myth: You are in this alone.
When it comes down to it, you aren’t just going to go online and click “purchase” like an engagement ring was some 2 AM Ebay impulse buy. Before you buy an engagement ring, a qualified sales representative should review all your options with you, making sure you know exactly what you’re getting. (Anyone who guarantees eternal domestic bliss is suspect.) While some customers prefer brick-and-mortar stores for their “human element”, the fact is that online shopping can be a more practical option for many guys. But don’t let shopping online mean you wander alone through virtual aisles of merchandise—the best online boutiques offer friendly and attentive customer service that would put a mall-counter sales clerk to shame.

L - Platinum Cathedral Platinum Engagement Ring. R - 5th Avenue Engagement Ring

Brides, which of the Whiteflash.com rings featured in this post is your favorite? Grooms, did you encounter any of these myths during your engagement ring shopping experience? Let us know by posting a comment below.

No, this is not a marquee for a strip club.

“It’s like Kelley Blue Book, except for diamonds.”

This is how Max’s Diamond Price Guide was described to me when I first heard about it last week.  I have to admit, it’s pretty ingenious. Most guys, including myself pre-engagement, have no idea how to budget for an diamond ring. And why would we? We’re talking about a group of consumers whose collective jewelry buying experience revolves around those coin operated vending machines at the grocery store.

Max’s Price Guides, LLC is an independent resource meaning they’re not trying to sell you anything. They’re simply aiming to provide relevant, timely and acurate pricing that will enhance the shopping experience. What’s not to love? The team at Max’s has over 25 years of real-world diamond valuation experience. Here are just a few of the tools that they offer:

Avoid the diamond crapshoot. This isn't a grocery store. This is one of the most important purchases you'll ever make.

Pricing information that is updated weekly – Diamond prices often change based on a number of factors within the market. The weekly pricing information on Max is produced using a proprietary system that evaluates vast amounts of actual market prices and relevant, worldwide economic data. In addition to pricing data, they offer research tools, feature articles, news reports, and diamond education resources.

RealMarket Value Search Tool – A tool you’ll us to make sure the price is right. Max’s editors verify and update prices weekly to give you useful, relevant market pricing information. Enter a diamond Shape, Carat Weight, Color Grade, Clarity Grade, and Cut Grade and get a free RealMarket Value report for the diamond. Available values include Suggested Retail Price – In Store, Suggested Retail Price – Internet, Private Party Transaction Price, and the Sell to Jeweler Price. Values are updated weekly.

The “What Diamond Can I Afford?” Tool – This tool helps you figure out the best carat, color, clarity, and cut available in your budget. Through the Max’s Diamond Price Guide site, you can produce a report in minutes that will be your guide to selecting the right diamond within your spending budget.

Find a Local Jeweler – Search for an approved local jeweler in your area using Google Maps. Simple and EASY

Currency Converter – Diamond retails prices are often quoted in local currency. This powerful currency conversion tool calculates prices in a foreign currency.

To connect further with Max’s Diamond Price Guide, check them out on Twitter and Facebook. And tell them TMR sent you!

—

disclosure: max’s diamond price guide is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

You may have to go into stealth mode to find the right ring.

By Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

There may come a point in your life when you find a great girl and want to buy an engagement ring, turning her into your fiancé, and eventually, wife. You’ll want to find a ring significant enough to mark the most important and meaningful relationship of your life. Your first issue (and your mission, should you decide to accept it) is to subtly find out the type of ring she’s been dreaming about since childhood – “her dream ring”, the symbol of a relationship that’s made it to the peak level, or you might say, “gone platinum”. Your next issue is that you probably know little about buying jewelry – specifically jewelry of this caliber that must be a high-quality piece that will last forever.  So how can you handle the challenge of finding the ring she’ll love, buying a piece that offers long term quality and value and fits within your budget? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

L - Gabriel & Co. - Platinum and square diamond engagement ring by Gabriel & Co. ($3,597 without center diamond) R - Timeless Designs – Platinum and round diamond engagement ring by Timeless Designs ($2,285 without center diamond)

Most women drop plenty of hints about what they like and don’t, especially when it comes to something as important as an engagement ring. Listen carefully as she describes a friend’s ring! You’ll pick up clues. If you don’t, make a comment about one of her friend’s rings (Example: “I liked the carving and size on ‘Jane’s’ ring”) and see how she reacts. She’ll tell you what she likes and doesn’t about the ring. A couple of facts that will help you immediately are that round diamonds are the most desired shape, followed by square.  Next, most women today want their diamond mounted into a white setting since it’s more timeless and goes with everything. Platinum is the most valued for settings because it is a very durable metal, which will hold your diamond more securely and not wear down like other white metals, like white gold.

Maevona – Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Maevona ($1,950 without center diamond)

When you start your research you’ll see that in most instances you’ll be buying the diamond separate from the setting. Therefore, you’ll need to know a little about diamonds. A diamond’s value is determined by its rarity. The more rare a diamond is across 4 categories, the more valuable it becomes. The 4 categories are known as the “4C’s”. Color (colorlessness is most rare), Cut (how precise the cut proportions and angles are returning light), Clarity (how few imperfections there are) and Carat weight (weight/size – larger diamonds are more rare). Now you need to know about a high quality setting. As I mentioned earlier, platinum is the preferred metal for a setting not only because it’s durable, but also because it’s a naturally white metal that will stay white and enhance the sparkle of a diamond (all gold is naturally yellow and made to look like platinum by adding white metals to it). Finally, platinum is 30 times more rare than gold making it the most significant metal for this important symbol.

Remember that you need to set a budget for the ring. Once you do this, figure approximately 80% of that will be spent for a diamond but leave 20% to ensure you get a platinum setting.  After all, the setting is what will need to hold the diamond forever. And if you’re thinking you may not be able to get a platinum engagement ring on a budget, don’t worry. There are platinum engagement ring settings starting for as little as approximately $1,950.00 so you can get a high quality ring that she’ll love for a lifetime.

Congratulations! Mission accomplished.

For more information on platinum ring styles to fit your budget, visit www.preciousplatinum.com

—

Grooms, how did you find out what style of ring your fiance wanted? Let us know in the comments below.

Three Stone Custom Trellis Engagement Ring

By Guest Blogger Whiteflash.com

There are some things in life a man should never compromise; his values, his scotch, his leading lady and the diamond he will present to her when he proposes. While we would be happy to talk to you about fine scotches, this piece isn’t about booze-it ‘s about bling- so pour yourself a glass, sit back and  read up because we’ve done the research and are going to show you how to buy a diamond that will rock her world.

MAKE A BUDGET

These tough economic times have left many men worried they simply can’t afford to get engaged but contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to sell a piece of your liver or hawk Great Edna’s china to impress your bride-to-be.  “Setting a budget is an essential first step as is being informed.  For example, many men do not know that buying just under the carat weight will save them money,” says Bob Hoskins, Master Gemologist for Whiteflash.com

SAVE THE SAPPHIRES

Women have been dreaming about diamond engagement rings since the Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring while proposing marriage in 1477.  As the centuries have passed, trends have come and gone but the now-classic diamond remains the gold standard in engagement rings. The bottom line: Save the sapphires, rubies and emeralds for the many birthdays and anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together.

STAY A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Most of us are aware of the four-C scale: Cut, which refers to how well the diamond is shaped and not the style, (i.e. cushion cut), color, clarity, which determines how many flaws are in the stone, and carat.  While the other C’s get the most press (and are the easiest for most consumers to understand) Hoskins says that paying up for a perfectly clear stone is less important than finding one that is shaped well.   “A lot of buyers focus on size and carat weight but it’s important to remember that the cut of the stone is the most important factor when purchasing a diamond since the cut is what determines its brilliance,” he says.  What this means is that  when a stone is cut with perfect precision (see Hearts & Arrows) it allows the maximum amount of light to enter and pass through it. This is what causes the sparkle your fiancée-and her girlfriends- love so much.

LEFT - Princess Cut Pave Diamond Engagement Ring RIGHT - Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

GET HER SOMETHING SHE WILL ACTUALLY WANT TO WEAR

Many men will try to convince themselves that a woman should like any ring given to her if she’s saying “yes” for the right reasons but the reality is that most of us aren’t that interested in wearing things that don’t vibe with our style.  Think about that reindeer sweater your grandmother gave you.  Do you want to wear that sweater every day for the rest of your life and show it off to friends just because you love your nana?  We didn’t think so.  So, how does one avoid making his fiancé force smiles as she shows off a ring she hopes to “lose”?  Find out what her preferences are before you go shopping advises Hoskins. “Wander into a jewelry store together and pay attention to her reaction to different stones.  Does she toward classic or contemporary designs? Knowing the answer will make ring shopping a lot easier and more fun,” he says.

ENLIST THE TROOPS

Yes, fella’s, the rumors are true; most women have at least one friend or relative with whom they have shared the details of their ideal engagement ring, and she did this, in part, to ensure that when this day presented itself, you’d have some help.  We know, that was very thoughtful of her.  Just be careful about who you go blabbing your plans to.  It’s hard to believe but some women can’t keep secrets.

Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

Many modern couples are forgoing tradition for the chance to bond by building a ring together so if one of the reasons you love your girl is that she’s so hands-on, let her have a say in the ring she’ll be wearing.   Propose with a stand-in ring, pour a couple of glasses of champagne and a spend some time designing a ring together using Whiteflash’s unique custom design option.  “Some of our happiest female clients had a hand in designing their ‘dream ring’,” says Sheerah Koloroutis, a Whiteflash Creative Designer Specialist who notes that collaboration has replaced tradition in many aspects of wedding-planning, including the ring design.   “Most couples discuss marriage possibilities and plans for the future ahead of time so it’s not uncommon for them to work together to create the symbol of their love as well,” she says.

RELAX

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but you’re the love of her life and though the ring might sparkle (and it will because you got one that was cut well), the reason she squeals is because she’s just been asked to spend the rest of her life with you.

About WhiteFlash
WhiteFlash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, founded WhiteFlash.com in 2000 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. WhiteFlash A Cut Above ® is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. Hailed as Lord of the Rings on Line, by Kiplinger’s Magazine, Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom designs and specialty jewelry.

For more information, log on to www.WhiteFlash.com or call 877.612.6770 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.612.6770 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.