To any girl a receiving marriage proposal is one of the most memorable moments in her life. And as a guy making that proposal, making that moment really stand out is a big challenge. Of course, the highlight of any marriage proposal is the engagement ring. Most of the engagement rings all stunning, but with so many to choose from, it can be overwhelmingly difficult to choose the best one for that "woman of your dreams".

Here are simple tips to help guys find that perfect engagement ring for the woman they want to spend the rest of their life with:

1. Know your budget. Make up your mind on how much you are willing to spend for an engagement ring. Doing so would help you to identify your options and alternatives more clearly. Make sure to choose a ring that it is within your budget. Normally, engagement rings would cost you at least two months’ salary. But note that the price could range from hundreds to thousands, depending on the choice of stone, metal and design.
2. Choose the perfect diamond. There are 4C’s to remember in the diamond grading system—cut, clarity, color & carat. CUT determines the brilliance of a diamond which makes it probably the most important of the four C’s. A well-cut diamond reflects much brilliance than a poorly cut one. You need to carefully choose your style of cut as it would determine the shine of the diamond and the fit in the ring. The popular cuts are the round, oval and princess. Note though that unique designs may require different cuts. CLARITY is characterized by the number of a diamond’s flaw such as scratches and cuts. The fewer the flaws are in the diamond, the more brilliant and prized it will be. COLOR usually refers to the mineral composition of the stone or the amount of color in a diamond. It shows the shine of the diamond. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable as they allow most light to be reflected, which makes it more brilliant. CARAT is a measurement of the weight of the diamond. The larger the diamond, the more expensive it is. Diamonds come in various price ranges depending upon their originality, cut and carat weight. Therefore, make sure be sure to know all of the diamond’s characteristics and quality by asking for a Diamond Certificate before making a purchase.  Though diamonds are the most popular stone choice for engagement rings, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other birthstones are also favored these days.
3. Know what metal to choose.  After choosing the stone, consider the quality of the metal to be used in the ring. Most engagement rings are made of gold, white gold or platinum. It is important to have a strong metal supporting your stone, such that it can handle wear and tear over the years. Platinum is an ideal choice because it is very durable yet has a light feel and enduring shine.
4. Know the ring design. The design of the engagement ring design is a matter of personal preference and would normally depend on your lifestyle. Conservative people may choose traditional designs while others may be geared towards the modern styles. Just make sure that the ring looks good and is practical to wear everyday.