Well, I didn't exactly go with him to pick it out but we went and looked and I told him specifically what cuts I liked (round, cushion) and what cuts to stay away from (emerald, princess, asscher, etc) and what type of settings I liked, etc.  Then 8 months later I had my ring and it's beautiful and so simple, just how I wanted it.  I figure if you're going have this thing on your finger for the rest of your life, why not make sure it's something you LOVE? Plus, I think for most guys it's a relief since buying a ring is stressful anyways, this way they KNOW you'll love it!

Well, I didn't exactly go with him to pick it out but we went and looked and I told him specifically what cuts I liked (round, cushion) and what cuts to stay away from (emerald, princess, asscher, etc) and what type of settings I liked, etc.  Then 8 months later I had my ring and it's beautiful and so simple, just how I wanted it.  I figure if you're going have this thing on your finger for the rest of your life, why not make sure it's something you LOVE? Plus, I think for most guys it's a relief since buying a ring is stressful anyways, this way they KNOW you'll love it!

 Actually, I went with his mother looking at rings :). Since she was giving us the center stone, I just needed a setting. I figured if it is going to be on my hand for the rest of my life, I want to ADORE it. Not to mention the now-fiance doesn't really do the shopping thing (was going to have his mom go with him anyway). When I went I was just supposed to pick some out and then he go back later and decide. In the end I picked 'the one' then and there, we bought it and he saw it later. Not the romantic story, but at least i love what I got :). Not to mention that he said he probably would have gone the complete opposite direction as far as the style because before when we had looked at rings, we chose much simpler designs... go figure eh?

I wasn't there when he picked my engament ring and bought it, but we did go to a few jewelry stores together before that so he could get ideas of what I did and didn't like, and he was the one that suggested it.  I also gave him pictures from magazines but the final choice was really up to him, and I know that it was important for him that he like the ring as well. I also liked that it was a surprise, he proposed 5 months after we went looking together.  I did however chose my wedding band, we were at the jewelry store together of course, but when I saw the one I wanted it was kinda over ;) 

I don't think there is anything wrong with helping pick your ring, you are the one after all that will be looking at it everyday for the rest of your life. I even have a friend whose fiance is a jeweler and she gave him a picture of the ring she wanted. Where I think helping crosses the line is what another friend of mine did (who coincidentally is no longer engaged). She came with me to my jeweler when I had my ring cleaned and fell in love with a ring there. She had them write down all the specks and told them she was going to send her boyfriend there. She said she wanted a D flawless diamond and even the jeweler kind of gave me a look and politely told my friend how rare and expensive they are and that you can still get a beautiful diamond that is not a D flawless. Anyhow her boyfriend did end up going there and getting the ring she wanted it was a 1 carat, F color radiant in 1.25 carat pave setting, and it was beautiful. I think its fine and even important to play a role in your ring design but going out and picking THE ONE without your boyfriend may be a bit tacky. It doesn't sound like you did that at all...and it's something that represents both of you.

My Wonderful man had NO IDEA what he was doing and as some one who gave birth in full makeup and my hair done who hasnt missed a manicure in 10 years there was NO WAY he was going to do it by himself! He gave me a solitaire that was OK in quality and after he proposed told me that the stone was a loaner stone and that we could upgrade to whatever I wanted... I WENT NUTS! But I am glad I did, and we had fun together, it really kicked off the "wedding planning"

And also, its nice too that he thought I would want a radiant stone, I thought I wanted a pear shaped center stone but once I saw the difference on my hand I fell in love with the square shaped cuts... :D If youre happy thats all that matters!!! Well... him too. But hes marrying you so obviously!!!

My guy knew I liked Yellow Diamonds but that was it. He went and found this (second one he looked at). It is perfect for me and happens to be an Oval which is my favorite shape. While I did not help pick out the style, stone or setting - he found the right one for me.

dropping hints or blantently putting pictures of your favorites worked for my 2 girlfriends......

Yes, that's totally normal! And I think it's important to discuss what kind of ring you are attracted to with your boyfriend because you'll be wearing it for a loooong time! You should love it and feel like it reflects your style! Just be open to his suggestions (if he has any) and try not to drag him around too much (perhaps do some browsing on your own and then take him to see the ones you love).  Also, choosing the ring together makes it more than a piece of jewelry...it's a way you two can share your tastes and ideas.  Afterall, this ring is an image of your personality and a symbol of your love.  Do your best to make it a special choice - together =) 

Of course, if you are NOT comfortable ring shopping together, you should consider this: most men don't have a great knowledge of ring cuts and styles and therefore get very nervous when shopping for a ring. This is one of the most important purchases of his life and trust me, he doesn't want to screw it up! Take the pressure off of him by telling him the key aspects of what you like. Maybe even cut out some pictures or email a photo from a website. He might just ask you to come with him =)

thanks for all the feedback everyone!

everything turned out beautifully and now i am wearing the ring that we both picked out together, that we both absolutey love, and one that he will not let me take off! (i have to assure him that i took it off only to clean it :D) we were also able to incorporate something sentimental to him - 2 diamonds from a ring his grandmother had given his parents, who wanted us to use it for our ring. the ring belonged to his grandmother's grandmother, so they are very old but very special to us. pictures of my ring are posted on the home page, somewhere on the second page :)

I went with his mother looking at rings. Since she was giving us the center stone, I just needed a setting. I figured if it is going to be on my hand for the rest of my life, I want to ADORE it. Not to mention the now-fiance doesn't really do the shopping thing. When I went I was just supposed to pick some out and then he go back later and decide. In the end I picked 'the one' then and there, we bought it and he saw it later. Not the romantic story, but at least i love what I got :). Not to mention that he said he probably would have gone the complete opposite direction as far as the style because before when we had looked at rings, we chose much simpler designs... go figure eh?