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Once your bride-to-be has accepted the proposal, it's time to shop for the engagement ring. Once upon a time, the prospective groom may have presented the ring on bended knee to his true lover but today, more and more couples are shopping for this important purchase together. A great place to begin is with the most enduring and popular of ring styles, the diamond solitaire ring.

There is something timeless and classic about the diamond solitaire engagement ring. Defined as placing a single stone in a setting by itself, the diamond solitaire ring is simple, elegant and comes in a variety of shapes to complement any woman's fashion sense.

The solitaire ring will glorify the beauty of the diamond, so the first consideration should be the stone itself. If you're on a set budget, you might want to purchase the best stone you can afford and then choose a mount that won't take you over what you want to spend.

Keep in mind too, when choosing the stone that the size of the diamond should also be in proportion to the size of the bride. If she's petite, a large 3 carat stone might not be the best choice and a half-carat wouldn't suit a full-figured woman.

The solitaire is the traditional engagement ring style but you can find a great variety within the shape of the stone and the color of the setting. Round cuts are probably the most popular and are always in style but there are others to choose from too. The shape you choose is purely a matter of personal taste.

Here are some of the shapes a diamond can be cut into:

• Round brilliant solitaire is probably the most familiar and has certainly stood the test of time. It is also the most readily available.
• Princess solitaire. This square cut stone is more contemporary and modern
• Heart shaped is not easy to find because of low demand. However, for some it's a sentimental favorite.
• Pear is tear drop shape used more often for pendants
• Oval is a nice alternative to the more traditional round diamond
• Marquise is named for a French noblewoman. This shape has distinctive tapered ends for a very sophisticated look
• Emerald cut is very traditional. Although not as popular as it once was, it still possesses an old-world charm.

Once you've chosen your stone and its shape, the next decision will be the setting which could be platinum, white gold and 14K yellow gold. What makes the solitaire so beautiful is that it sits alone, held by prongs to catch the most light. A four-prong setting shows a little more of the diamond, while a six-prong setting offers a slight security advantage.

As they take that all-important step toward a life together, many couples want a ring that symbolizes their commitment. The diamond at the center of a diamond solitaire engagement ring with be a constant reminder of their singular and everlasting love.