Many elements require consideration when shopping for engagement rings, which may be one of the most important jewelry purchases of your life. "Rock her world: A shopper's guide for engagement rings" from The Miami Herald offers some tips on ring shopping:

"The design is individual to each bride-to-be, according to Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel, InStyle contributing editors and authors of With This Ring: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Jewelry (Bulfinch Press, $24.95). Whether it's classic, casual, glamorous, artistic, modern or somewhere in between, ''the ring should blend naturally with the things she likes to wear and do,'' they write. (In other words, get an idea of what style she likes -- and dislikes.)

If the gal's the type to go for something simple (eternity band) -- or even trendsetting (colorful, semiprecious stones) -- the guy's in better straits. Couples who want diamond solitaires -- the traditional way to go -- are in for the most work, the authors say."