One in three women ‘would rather choose their own engagement ring’

A third of engaged or married women would prefer to have chosen their engagement ring themselves, according to new research. 

The OnePoll survey, conducted on behalf of online diamond specialist Diamonds Factory, found 36% of women would have preferred to choose the ring themselves, with one in six (15%) dissatisfied when they saw their ring for the first time.

This is despite nearly half (46%) admitting to giving their partner offering instructions on their dream ring.

Nearly a quarter of men (24%) said they found choosing the ring was more nerve-wracking than the wedding day itself, with one in eight (14%) conceding they were unhappy with their purchase.

Two thirds of men highlighted matching their partner’s taste as their top priority, with the vast majority of women (84%) agreeing the choice was a direct reflection of how well their partner knew them.

Size was also proven to be a real issue  with nearly one in three men (30%) admitting they felt pressured into buying a larger engagement ring than they had originally planned in order to out-do others.

However, taste was revealed to be more important than value, with spending expectations revealed to be well-matched – men mentioned a budget of £1,185, women £1,215.

An average of 11 days was spent finding for the perfect ring, with a nervy third (34%) making a rushed decision within just two days and a more romantic 2% searching for more than three months before purchasing.

Nilesh Rakholia, vice president of Diamonds Factory, said: “Men are under real pressure to choose the perfect ring, with many finding the experience more stressful than the big day itself. They are aware that their purchase will be analysed not only by their partner, but also by friends and family.

“With the latest research suggesting many women would rather have picked a ring themselves, the pressure on men to get it right is staggering.”