What ring is she dreaming of?

What ring will knock her over, cause her eyes to bug out her head? What ring will make her drop in worship of you? What size, shape, and setting will be exactly what she's been dreaming of? Here are some ideas on how to find out.

In this day of just about anything goes, many couples discuss the bride-to-be's preference in a diamond engagement ring or even visit jewelry stores together to try on different shapes and settings. However, many of us traditional type guys still want the proposal and presentation of the diamond to be a wonderful surprise to ourr ladies.

So here are some simple steps each of you can take either together or secretly on your own.

Step One: Think about the various shapes and settings

The choices in diamond shapes and settings may seem overwhelming at first, but there are ways to narrow the field immediately. A diamond that catches your eye in the jewelry case may not be flattering on her hand. For example, on a small, delicate hand, a round diamond may look more beautiful than a marquise that covers more of her finger. If the size of the diamond makes a difference, then you may prefer a shape that reveals more surface area than depth to maximize the appearance of size, such as an emerald cut.

Hint - You may want to check out a branded diamond called The Elexese Diamond®. It is cut to exacting proportions set by the prestigious Diamond Masters Guild. This design ensures you get a diamond that offers the largest visual appearance and more brilliance than conventionally cut round diamonds of comparable color and clarity.

Want a chart of shapes? Download this buying guide from Leo Schachter Diamonds with all sorts of helpful hints when buying a diamond.

Step Two: Consider her other jewelry

Every woman wants her diamond ring to stand out and also to complement her other jewelry. Does she prefer contemporary pieces or is her jewelry more traditional in style? Round diamonds are the most traditional choice, emerald cuts are considered very elegant; whereas princess, pear and marquise have a more modern look to them. It's best to ask a jeweler to point out the more classic settings versus those that are contemporary. If you're feeling creative, you can also design a setting of your own and ask a jeweler to create it for you.

When you're choosing a setting ask yourself this: Does she usually wear silver jewelry (in which case she'd probably prefer a white gold or platinum setting) or is yellow gold the precious metal of her choice?

Trying on various diamonds in different settings is, of course the best way to see what appeals most and looks most beautiful on her hand, but if that's not your desire, listen for hints. Does she ever comment on diamonds she sees in magazines or engagement rings her friends wear? If not, you might ask her close friends or family members (if they can keep a secret) to help you make the choice.

Know her ring size. Ask her family or friends. Another trick is to make an imprint in a bar of soap using one of her rings. Then take the soap to the jeweler, who can measure it and determine what size you should buy.

Open your mind to one last possibility. If your bride-to-be is an upfront, modern woman, she may accept whichever diamond and setting you choose with utter delight, but indicate to you a few days later that perhaps a different setting would make it even better. If that's the case, no need for suicidal tendencies! Remember, the most important thing is that she said “yes,” that you want her to be thrilled for life with her diamond. .

This is why it's so important to buy your ring from a reputable jeweler . It will be easier to make adjustments than if you deal with a website.

Step Three: Learn what to look for in the diamond itself

Once you have narrowed your choices down to a certain diamond shape or a particular style of setting, to make a wise purchase, you need to know somethings about diamonds. The measure of a diamond's quality and value are determined by the 4Cs – color, clarity, cut and carat weight.

The brilliance of your diamond is the key to its beauty, and brilliance has everything to do with color, clarity and cut. A skilled artisan can maximize the fire, sparkle and brilliance of a diamond by how he or she cuts the rough stone. The precision with which each facet is cut and placed is critical. Know which of the 4Cs and which is most important .

There is a branded diamond out there that is known for brilliance -- The Leo Diamond® , it's handcrafted by a one of the industry's leaders Leo Schachter. In fact, The Leo Diamond is the first diamond that is actually measured and certified for fire, sparkle and brilliance. It also comes with a certificate of proof from an independent gemological laboratory called Gemex Systems.

How much should you spend on a diamond?

Where's the best place to buy a diamond?