10 Steps to a Flawless Valentine's Day Proposal

Thinking of proposing on Valentine's Day? Here are a few pointers and ideas to make sure your plans go smoothly...

1. Let your significant other know you are planning to spend time with them on February 14th. There's nothing worse than planning a marriage proposal and finding out they had other plans!
2. Know that you may face rejection. If she says no, you may have to face a painful reminder of that rejection next Valentine's Day. 
3. Identify and recreate past moments that you have spent together: where you first met, your first date, your first kiss. Show her you want to make a future with her but that you still cherish your past together.
4. If you're planning a special trip, don't propose on the plane. It will be hard to share the news with family and friends.
5. There are 14 ways to say "I love you" on Valentine's. Write out 14 cards saying why you love her and place them in a line, creating a path. Hide the ring under the14th card and surround it by red candles.
6. Consider whether she wants a public or private proposal. Proposals can be as intimate as breakfast in bed and as public as a stadium screen.
7. If you want to shout your love to the world, hire a skywriter to write your message in the air. 
8. Keep it simple and traditional.
9. Write "Will you marry me?" in the snow or sand. Just don't lose the ring at the beach!
10. Create a Valentine's haven. Gather potpourri, rose petals, red candles and fluffy cushions and top it all off by proposing. 

How To Buy A Valentine's Day Diamond

Here’s a guide on how to buy a diamond for Valentine’s Day from the Independent Jewelers Organization:

Valentine's Day is a day of giving to those we love. For many, it's a day for proposals: Valentine's Day is one of the most popular days of the year for "popping the question."

Valentine's Day is a day of giving to those we love. For many, it's a day for proposals: Valentine's Day is one of the most popular days of the year for "popping the question." And what better way to propose than with a beautiful diamond solitaire engagement ring?

With so many new diamond cuts and brands to choose from, however, those in the market for an engagement diamond might find themselves reeling. The Internet is filled with information about the best ways to make a diamond purchase, and that's the first place many start. But can an online source be better than a trusted local jeweler when it comes to making the final purchase? What are the distinct differences between a so-so diamond and one that's truly out-of-this-world? What constitutes a fair deal? And of course, how do you select a jeweler you can trust and buy from with confidence?

Buying a diamond on-line may appear to be painless. But when it's time to make the purchase, it can be difficult to buy a diamond that's never been seen from to an unknown source. "The one-on-one relationship between an experienced retail jeweler and his or her customer is the one that usually matters most when the purchase of an important diamond is made," says Richard Swetz, chairman of the Independent Jewelers Organization, a consortium and buying group of retail jewelers whose membership reaches across the United States.

Here are some tips from the IJO on finding a jeweler and buying a diamond--on Valentine's Day or any day--that should help navigate this sometimes difficult terrain:

Familiarize yourself with the basics: The four-Cs--cut, color, clarity and carat weight--describe the proportion of a diamond as well as other important physical characteristics which will effect its price. Understanding the basics will help you to understand the diamond's price.

Learn how to read a diamond grading report: All reputable jewelers sell diamonds with grading reports or certificates, which provide a third-party evaluation of a diamond and heavily impact its price. All Forever10 diamonds display 10 hearts and 10 arrows making it the world's most brilliant diamond. The Forever10 is available exclusively from IJO Master Jewelers and comes with grading reports from either the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society Laboratories, two of the leading U.S. diamond gem labs. The grades include measurements of the stone, carat weight, color, clarity, finish, polish, symmetry and fluorescence. Additional comments may also be included as well as the diamond's plot or graphical representation.

Decide what you can spend--and where you want to put your money: A diamond engagement ring is a major investment and buying the best diamond you can afford is always good advice. With the expanding market for designer engagement ring settings, however, you should make an early decision about where your budgeted money will be spent: Would you rather spend more for a better diamond in a simpler setting or opt for a designer setting with a smaller stone?

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