If you are contemplating starting down that road to matrimonial bliss, you may be looking for an engagement ring. But, what kind should you buy? What is available? How much should you pay? These are important questions that you should have the answers to before you go engagement ring shopping.

1. What kind of jewelry metal does your future bride like? Is she really into silver or gold tones? Yellow gold is the traditional favorite for an engagement ring, but in the last 20 years or so, there has been a big upswing in the number of brides picking alternative metals such as platinum, white gold, or titanium. Silver as a metal is not a good choice because it is easily tarnished. Platinum and titanium are slightly more expensive but they also tend to be more durable.

2. How about the style of the engagement ring? If your girlfriend is partial to contemporary styling in her jewelry then you will probably want to go that direction for the ring style as well. However, there are engagement ring options for those who are more traditional too. One sentimental favorite is to take a family heirloom ring and to have it sized to fit-or to use the setting or stones. Vintage rings are also enjoying a surge in popularity. Of course you can always go for a traditional classic engagement ring style that will become a future heirloom.

3. Are diamonds really a girls best friend? Possibly, but more brides and grooms are choosing other gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds and others. If you want a truly unique engagement ring look, you may want to look at a different color of stone. Stones also come in a number of different shapes including round, marquise, oval, and square. Think carefully about the hand shape and size when you pick the stone for the engagement ring.

4. Lifestyle should also play a part. If your girlfriend works a lot with her hands and will snag or scratch her ring on things you may want to choose a simple band or a flush-mounted stone.

5. How much should it cost? The industry rule is 2 months salary, but you can decide to go higher or lower depending on your financial situation.

6. You can let her pick. If you want your future bride to be perfectly happy with her ring let her pick it. You can either take her shopping and let her show you what she likes, and then you pick, or you can let her make the total decision. Or you can even buy the type of stone you think she would like and let her pick the setting.