How to: Choose an Engagement Ring

Your engagement ring will likely be the most important piece of jewelry you'll receive in your entire life. This is serious stuff! You will wear this ring every day for the rest of your life (God willing!).  For this reason, you need your chosen ring to suit your style and personality.  For example, if you tend to dress casually on a day-to-day basis, you don't want an overly ornate ring.  If you're super modern and edgy, a classic ring may seem boring or dull to you.  And vice versa, if you have a classic style, stick with the classics! I can't stress enough that you want your ring to reflect your personality and style.

Classic:
If your celebrity icon is Audrey Hepburn, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Kate Middleton, than your style might be best described as "classic."  Preferring tailored looks and simple yet coiffed hair, your best bet is to go with a classic, timeless ring like the Tiffany Setting engagement ring.  This ring features a solitaire round cut diamond ring that stands the test of time. Since its creation over a century ago, the Tiffany Setting has been a favorite in the engagement ring world.

Romantic:
Do you prefer whimsical, light fabrics, blush tones, and loosely tousled hair?  If this sounds like you, you might be a romantic.  Look for a ring with a pretty setting, like Scarlett Johansson's stunner from Ryan Reynolds. Scarlett's ring featured an oval diamond set on an intertwined gold band.  Tacori has a similar twisted band version for you romantics!

Vintage:
Similar to Romantic engagement rings, yet more ornate, vintage rings are perfect for gals who wish they grew up in a different decade and have the style to prove it.  Vintage rings often include some etching in the metal of ring and have multiple diamonds. Either composed of cluster and swirls of smaller diamonds or having more than one feature diamond, these rings are as interesting to the eye as the stories behind them. 

Modern:
If you're a modern woman with the most current styles, think, Rachel Bilson, Jessica Alba, and Blake Lively, than a modern ring will suit your fresh style best. Modern rings feature clean lines, are usually solitaires, and tend to be square or rectangular. The emerald cut engagement ring would be perfect for your modern sense of style.

Casual:
Are you a Lululemon kind of lady? Do you consider wearing jeans dressing up? Then you my sporty friend, are a casual cat.  A big sparkly diamond may look out of of place with your hoodie and sneakers. Or it may not! If you're casual but still want a big glitzy rock, go for it! But I am guessing something a little more subdued will make you feel more comfortable and at ease.  There are lots of pretty bands out there today, like this one from Birks, that can double as engagement ring. Take a page from Jennifer Garner's book and rock a simple, yet breathtaking band as your daily ring.

Colorful:
If a regular diamond is too run of the mill for you, than you may take after Divas like Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, and Jessica Simpson.  Never one to blend into the crowd, your style is most likely colorful, unique, and never subtle. If this sounds like you, a colorful diamond might be the right choice for you. Jennifer Lopez went pink with Ben Affleck before trading it in for a blue diamond from Marc Anthony.  Carrie Underwood dons a yellow diamond from her hockey beau, and an engaged Jessica Simpson is rocking a bright red Neil Lane Ruby ring, flanked by two diamonds.

Tell me, what style do you relate to most? For the record, I think I am a mix between romantic and modern. 

Here I am nearly 5 years ago with my beauty of a ring that my husband picked out all on his own.  You can buy it here.

And since I was searching for ring photos, I threw together a few shots of the big day. Enjoy!