Wouldn't it be awkward to be answered this when you ask the person you've been steady with to marry you? Not to mention how devastating it would be if you decided to make the proposal so grand everyone you know would see you get turned down. And to think, it would be all because you had the wrong ring.

So how do you know which ring she would like? What are the considerations for a good engagement ring to begin with?

The custom of giving rings started a long time ago, believed to be Egyptian in origin. Although it started with simply using braided grass shaped into rings worn only during the ceremony for a symbolic tying of the couple's spirits, in the 2nd century, it changed into a gold ring given as a customary gift prior to the wedding and an iron ring on the actual ceremony.

Over the years, it has undergone a lot of changes but the concept remained constant: the engagement ring is always more elusive and grand compared to the actual wedding ring and the former is worn to signify having accepted an offer of marriage which has not come to pass yet, while the latter, a non-verbal indication that it already has.

The engagement ring is meant to be worn with pride (with a bit of a gloat) and is usually rather flashy. It's meant to indicate how well-off the giver is so an unwritten expectation to go all-out for the best engagement ring you could get is prevalent among most people. There are engagement rings that are matched with wedding rings that could be bought in sets. But the fall back is, should the worst case-scenario come to light and you get rejected, you will end up with not just one but two sets of rings you would have to sell or reuse (which is often frowned upon to be of highly poor taste). And because it is not necessarily cheaper to buy them together, the only advantage is the convenience of not having to shop twice for rings.

Apart from the general concept of it having to be elusive (or at least more expensive than the wedding ring that comes after), it of course should reflect the particulars of both the person giving it and the person it is being given to. The value of the ring is indicative of how much the giver values the person he gives it to so a cheap ring would often be a slap in the face. You don't have to sell your car or get another mortgage to get a ring that's exponentially beyond your budget (since it will give out the wrong impression of your finances) but you have to make sure it is at least worth bragging to girlfriends about.

As to the design of the ring, your choice will show how much you know her; what she likes, what she's like, and other aspects of her personality which could be incorporated on the choice of the design of the ring you give her.

Use your heart, because if you really love her, it should tell you which one to pick. Browse through the offers of engagement rings in the UK now and let your love for her help you decide.