Engagement - Which ring?

[myles76]

In 3 weeks time it's my partner's & mine 3 year anniversary and I'm arranging a surprise long weekend away to Monaco, as it's where we both first met each other.
I also plan to ask her to marry me. I've arranged everything so far, the hotel with sea view, flowers, how to get her bags packed without her knowing (what else are her best friends for�), and have even got her the time off from her work without her knowing � its been a real military operation!

Only problem is, the ring! - What to choose?

She's what I (and everyone who knows her) call a very English country girl and doesn't wear hardly any jewelry (not a "Bling" girl, by any means). And we live in deep country and are country active people (not that that has anything to do with anything)

In recent months I've caught her doing the "looking in jewelers' windows" thing, but that's not really helped me, as she won't give anything away. So in the end I got her 3 best friends to take her away one weekend, for a girly weekend, to drop a few hints for me to see what sort of thing she likes.
Here's the problem, she's always liked the yellow gold color and plainer style, and everybody who knows her well says that's ideal and would really suit her. However on this weekend away, what her friends came back with was that really liked platinum and blinggy (first time any of them had heard this from her) so we're all just wondering if this is just a phase as platinum seems to be in style at the moment.
Obviously, I don't want to get her the wrong thing, but at the same time I don't want her to be thinking: "I wish he'd got me the other style ��. "(Every man's problem, I'm sure)
And yes, I do know I can change it if I get it totally wrong � but that's not the point.

Suggestions please!!!!

[Litchick]

OR, as someone else suggested...really get her to tell her friends which one she really wants and then go get it. You still have three weeks.....

Wow! I'm all excited now too!!!

[dancealot13]

Myles76- I just want to call you Romeo ;)

Love the beach idea too- especially if that's where you met. But I agree with Litchick, the balloon idea is GREAT!

[The Tiggster]

myles76 you were doing so well until you said you were sloping off to Dublin for a lads weekend AT EASTER!! tut, tut!!

Only joking you sound a wonderful, thoughful man & I bet any choices you make about the ring/proposal will delight your (soon-to-be) fiance.

My husband surprised me with the proposal & ring both of which were very traditional (meal, champange & a 3 diamond 18ct yellow gold ring) which to me was perfect as at the end of the day it is about the love you share & the future you have together.

However you propose & with whatever ring will be one of the most important & wonderful moments of your life (along with your wedding day & birth of your 1st baby) so go with what you feel will be right.

All my very best wishes.

[Greedyfly]

Just like to say - you sound like a sound type of guy and I am sure everything will go well. I have never known a man to go to this much trouble/effort - well done, she will be so suprised.

[dumb]

I would ask her friends and also what about something with her birthstone? depending on what it is of course. Mt birthstone is emerald and when I got engaged I got a lovely ring with an emerald surrounded by little diamonds. It is beautiful

[Cheekystar]

I'm a former diamond expert / advisor, so if you had of come in to where I worke and told me all this I would of advised -

a white gold, diamond solitare, either round, or baguette (oblong) which would look stunning, the white gold gives the bling but with traditional touch! if she's small framed, don't get anything too huge it'll make her fingers look too small, so make it balanced, its quite a traditional ring, but symbolic too.

Good luck

[Dudee]

now - does your lady wear any other rings? This is most important as I wear a yellow gold ring that I was given for my 21st and wont remove so my engagement ring had to match that gold - this is highly important as now girl wants to wear gold and silver - NO NO....

The ring you choose may not be exactly her choice but if you know her well enough - which hopefully you do - you shouldnt get it too wrong and if she really really loves you she will be so blown away she will love any ring as much!........just make sure you can see the diamond and it isnt �400 from Hinds or Argos - this is the speciallist lady ever remember!

With regards to the balloon flight - oh my god - what if you drop the ring!...........I say go for the real old fashioned proposal of over a romantic dinner - or on the beach just the two of you, be prepared for tears it's just such an amazing feeling knowing that someone loves you that much - Good luck it's sooooooooooooooo exciting.

[myles76]

Wow, Thank you all so much for your kind comments and thoughts, but having read them all I still don�t believe that most guys don�t go into the planning of such an important event in this kind of way and with this much excitement � I think you lot have too bad an impression of the typical bloke!! lol

So anyway, as requested, the updates:


Yes I was away at the weekend with the boys in Dublin, which was great (I�m Italian/Irish � so at least half of me was going home!!). Anyway, part of the reason for going (other than Rugby, Guinness and best friends) was I was also taking away both my father and hers, and it gave me a chance to ask her father for his blessing � luckily he gave it and prompted to buy all of Temple Bar a Guinness to celebrate!! (My dad was over the moon too) and then we got her Mum & mine on the phone and both of them were just as happy & excited!! � Thank God!!

I�ve also finally bought/ordered the ring � earlier this morning!!
Cut a long story short; seeing as I work in the West End of London, De Beers at Old Bond Street is just around the corner. So I booked an appointment and arranged to meet her 3 best friends there (the ones she�d already confided in) and all I can say is � it was an adventure!! � But we finally sorted it between us.

Please see below:

[myles76]

Continued from above:

It�s quite a thick (approx 4.5-5mil.) Platinum band with an in-set oblong shape diamond. I went for the inset rather than proud, as we do a lot of out door activities and it won�t catch. It was amazing, I knew it was the right one straight away � all of us did.
I just stood there and it practically sang to me: �I would look great on your girlfriend�s finger � forever� and with the help of the girls, I even know her correct ring size.
(The other handy thing is, if she says yes, they do a matching wedding ring).
So that�s it, ordered and delivered to my office 3 days before we go away.

As a way of saying thanks to the girls for all their hard work and a pre-break relaxation for Emma (my girlfriend), I�ve booked them all to go away (as a surprise) on a full 2 day Spa at The Mandarin Oriental in London, the day before we go away.
Other than dropping the dog off at my parents, I think all is just about set..
Thank you all so much for your help and best wishes. Watch this space for updates!!

Let�s just hope she says yes!!

[whiskeysheri]

You've got to be the perfect guy! Her friends will love you.

She's bound to say yes! Please keep us updated and make sure you take a camera. Best wishes (and congratulations) xxxx

[Litchick]

Well done Myles!!!! What will you do about the actual proposing? Please say you'll do your hot air balloon! Just make sure she doesn't fall out!!! LOL! BEST WISHES YOU SOUND LIKE A GREAT GUY!!!!