Most men are completely out of their depth when it comes to choosing rings. They know a few things. They know that engagement rings are smaller than wedding rings and they know that most bands are made of gold and the stone of choice and tradition is usually a diamond. Beyond that, though, they are clueless.

Men are very often let off the hook today because it is acceptable for them to take their fiance into the jewelry store to choose rings with them. Still, don’t underestimate the power of knowledge. She will be touched and impressed if you know some of the most important styles of rings.

When you go into the jewelry store, you will see some rings that have just one large stone that stands out proud from the band. These are called solitaire engagement rings or wedding rings. Just think of the game of solitaire and the name will stick in your head. When you’re in the store, you can impress her if you know the terminology.

Then there’s the eternity ring. There are a couple of types of these. One is a gold band that is surrounded by small diamonds. The complete circle of diamonds represents eternity, because it is an unbroken circle.

You may want to shy away from bringing these to her attention, especially if they have large diamonds. Those can be very expensive. However, there is an alternative that carries the same symbolic meaning. A band called a trilogy ring has just three diamonds that represent the past, the present moment and your future together.

You really can’t go wrong with princess cut engagement rings. These elegant looking rings have diamonds that have been cut square. It’s a good bet that she’ll love you and her new ring if you buy her one of these. They are made for princesses and every bride wants to feel like a princess. If you’re the romantic type who wants to offer her a ring when you ask for her hand, consider getting one of these.

If you want to really dazzle her with your expertise, you will have to learn some diamond terminology. You’ll need to read up on things like the cut, the color, the depth and the clarity of diamonds and how they are graded. Don’t worry too much, though. If you just utter the words, the sales staff will take over for you and make you look good.

That’s about all you need to know, really. You aren’t expected to be an expert and your girlfriend or fiance will be deeply impressed even with this little bit of knowledge. As a matter of fact, if you blow it, it won’t matter. She’ll love you for trying, because it shows you care.