It used to be that when a man proposed marriage he surprised his beloved with a diamond engagement ring; according to wedding experts though this trend is changing. No longer is a bride going to settle for a diamond engagement ring that is anything less than what she has always dreamed of. Since this is a ring that she will have to wear for the rest of her life, or until divorce, she wants her ring to be a diamond engagement ring that will not only be the style that she likes but also have that wow factor she is looking for. Now days brides are choosing there own diamond engagement rings, after all this is not only a piece of jewelry this is an investment. The typical bride has her own preferences on what she likes such as the cut of the diamond, the type of precious metal and even the clarity she expects for her ring. Many brides are now also custom designing their very own diamond engagement rings and diamond wedding bands. While I am sure this trend will last for a long time, I kind of like that old fashioned element of surprise which tends to get lost this way.