A humbling experience

If you want to look like a complete doofus, its really easy. Just go down to the local mall and start looking at engagement rings. Unless, for some reason, you know what you are doing... which, if you have a lot of experience buying engagement rings, you have bigger problems than looking like a doofus ... you will feel like the biggest idiot in the tri-state area. It's important to know the person you are shopping for, which, of course, you should know who you are buying an engagement ring. But you need to know her taste. You also need to know your budget. The rest - well, there's the 4 C's - color, cut, clarity, and carat - but really, just look at the diamond. Does it look good? Do you think she will like it? Talk to the people from whom you are buying. Look up stuff online. Shop around. Look for diamond buying guides. Don't buy the first pretty ring you see. Don't bend to pushy sales gimmicks. It's not the last diamond of its kind in the world - I promise. Every diamond is unique, that's true - but there are plenty of them out there. You'll probably still look like a doofus when you go ring shopping, but at least you won't get taken for a ride.