Engagement rings; those two words can make many women delirious with happiness but cause many men to break out into a cold sweat. In fact, some guys find themselves at a loss when buying any type of jewelry, even something as standard as diamond stud earrings, pearl necklaces or even diamond bracelets. If you’re one of those guys, then rest assured that help is available. If you don’t know the difference between solitaire diamond rings, vintage engagement rings and pre set engagement rings, you’re about to get a crash course on the subject. So sit down and relax.

First of all, do your research. Yes, you can look for cheap engagement rings online. But you can also go to a jeweler and pick their brains while also looking over mens watches, such as Bulova watches, for yourself. Sometimes talking to a real live person about such a large purchase is the way to go. For other men, that isn’t necessarily so. One of the most important things you can do is to find out the size of your girlfriend’s ring finger. After that, you should determine the size of diamond that you want. Determining the type of metal that you want is important as well.

Diamond sizes are set in carats. There are many variations in sizes, such as one carat, 1/2 carat, 1/4 carat, 1/3 carat….the list goes on and on. And bigger doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes a smaller diamond that has a more brilliant shine is worth more than a larger diamond that has some flaws and may not shine as brightly. Of course, some women simply like big diamonds and there is no getting around that fact. Even if you’re diamond hunting on a strict budget, you can usually find the perfect diamond.

Cut and clarity both play a huge part in choosing diamonds. The cut of the diamond is what actually shows the light and how it reflects off of the inner and outer surfaces. A diamond’s clarity is measured by how many inclusions or flaws that it has. Some of these flaws can’t be seen by the naked eye, only through a jeweler’s loupe. However, it is still a good idea to pay attention to the clarity, because if a diamond has certain flaws, then certain settings, such as tension settings, are generally not a good idea.

Another important aspect is the type of metal that you want the diamond set in. Do you like traditional looking rings, or more importantly, does your bride-to-be? If so, yellow gold is usually a common option. Some people like the look of platinum but don’t have the budget for it. This is where the white gold option comes in handy. It has the look of platinum, but at a much lower price. However, if your beloved has sensitive skin or an allergy to certain metals such as silver or copper, then you are better off going with a metal such as platinum. It is hypoallergenic, which means that it won’t irritate the skin or cause a rash on her finger.  That’s a good thing, right?  Above all, just relax when you’re looking at engagement rings. Save your nervous energy for when you really need it – when you’re about to actually pop the question!