How to choose an engagement ring

A diamond engagement ring

If you've answered the question 'Should I propose to my girlfriend?' with a 'yes', you will now be thinking about the next stage of the proposal: choosing an engagement ring.

For the discerning boyfriend, this can become quite an involved process – a real labour of love.

As you will soon discover, there are a whole gamut of things to consider when it comes to buying an engagement ring, from the infamous '4 Cs' to the urban myth about spending one month's salary.  

Over the next six blog posts, I will be giving you a fiancé's insight into how to choose an engagement ring, starting with a topic you may not have considered: ethics.