A ring that she'll have to wear day in, day out for all of their married lives. No pressure eh? It is a huge ask. No wonder chaps get themselves wound up no end when it comes to buying 'THE' ring and can easily be led astray by unscrupulous jewellery shops, particularly when it comes to buying abroad.

Even for those who can spot a diamond from a paste ring at 120 paces, it can quite often under the lights in a shop be somewhat convinced a ring is better quality than it actually is or you're bombarded with so much information that you just end up being confused more than ever... It's not easy on our men folk. So , what can you do make this process a little easier for the man in your life?

Two things that you can do:

1. Go window shopping! Be realistic with the budget that you have to spend on your engagement ring. Don't 'ooh & aah' over what ring you'd like and then tell him that you can't afford it. It will just make him feel like a cheap skate & from here it's a slippery slope. If he doesn't buy you the big ring, he'll feel that he let you down and the one you choose wasn't really the one you wanted. This can only lead to rows.....

I know this might sound a little odd but try bringing one of your girlfriends (one who can keep a secret!) and try on some rings to (a) gague what style & type of ring that you'd like and (b) what options you can get for the budget that you have.

2. Ok, this does kind of take the whole romance out of it, but if you  feel that your other half just isn't up to choosing a ring for you, have an open & honest chat about it.

Again, decide on a budget and you then shop around for 3 different rings. When you have your research done, tell him where the rings are  and that you'd be thrilled with any one of them. So, when the time comes and he goes on bended knee, with a little black box in his hand you honestly won't know which ring it is... don't you just love surprises!!