Sorting a proposal can seem like a nightmare task. The most daunting aspect of it? Finding the perfect engagement ring. There’s so much pressure on finding the perfect ring, spending the right amount of money, and choosing the right moment to pop the question. It can be an intense time, but there’s ways to simplify it.

The first thing that you want to do is to establish your budget. You want to know what money you can spend before you step foot into a jewelry store so that you don’t get flustered and confused when you arrive. Being able to walk in and establish your budget straight away will make sure that the jeweller will know where you stand and what to show you. Always remember that the amount of money that you spend on a ring does not signify the amount you love your partner. If you have a big budget, then excellent, but if not it’s not an issue. You can find the perfect ring at a surprisingly low price if you know where to look and what to look for; a good place to start is tiffany engagement rings.

The key to an exciting proposal is making it a surprise. It’s hard work, but it’s doable if you know where to start. Subtly find out her ring size, have a peek in her jewellery box to see what sort of rings she likes. Check the colours of the metals, the shapes of the diamonds, and you’re onto a winner. If you don’t know for sure, ask one of her friends that you trust to keep the secret for advice, as they’re sure to know if she’s a traditional, classic cut girl or more of a modern statement fan.

Before you go to pick your ring, you also want to do some research so that when you’re looking, you know exactly what is in front of you. The four C’s are the most important factors to understand about your diamond- cut, clarity, carat and color. The cut of the diamond is the proportions of the stone, which will give the diamond its sparkle. A well cut diamond is bright and shiny, whereas one with a lesser cut can appear dull as the light doesn’t reflect as well. The clarity refers to any blemishes on or in the diamond; less blemishes is a more valuable diamond. The carat is the weight of the diamond. The colour of a diamond is down to preference; a colourless diamond is the most rare, however many people prefer a white diamond, which is less rare and therefore less expensive.

Making sure that you do your research is key to your proposal. Knowing what you’re looking for before you get the ring will make the whole process much easier, and will also ensure a much better pay-off than just getting the first thing you see.