A guy who needs advice on proposal!

You could get her something like this and ask her to tie the knot.

I would get a CZ ring that you like the style of and she can use it as her ring she wears when you guys travel, etc...

What about a stackable ring, something that could be moved to the other hand after you go shopping? This is my latest obsession. But they come in many styles and can be added to for special occasions.

See if she has a Pinterest she may have pinned rings she liked!

@GoingBALDwin so funny because Texas Roadhouse is our favorite place and where my FH proposed too! He did it outside in the parking lot though after a delicious meal

OP I like the empty box idea or pearl ring! I wouldn't go the diamond or fake diamond ring route.

Pearl ring would be beautiful and thoughtful!

I like the "empty box, ring of your dreams" but also think it would be weird seeing an empty box.

Maybe a birthstone.. but her friends would be the way to go too

My fiancée proposed with a really beautiful small promise ring and the next day we went to look at bigger rings because he wanted me to pick it with him. I was asked if I wanted to use the value towards the new ring and I said no. It was too sentimental. Trust me the size won't matter. It's the thought and action that counts.

I love it. My FH and me "randomly" (so I thought) went in stores looking at rings. He observed what I was drawn to and tried on.

How creative are you getting the proposal? Will family be involved? I'm asking because if you go with no ring, this is doable and possibly doing so at the jewelry store. If you involve family and friends, they're going to want to take pictures & such. If they are involved, just get get a CZ ring and taker afterwards.

My FH got me this for Christmas before we were engaged, as a promise ring. It's called a Victorian Regard Ring. The stones in it spell out regard (ruby, emerald, garner, ruby, diamond) and it was used for courtship in olden days. He got it on Etsy for $300. I adore it and wear it on my right hand.

Pandora has AMAZING JEWELRY

If she has a lot of jewelry already, couldn't you get an idea of what she likes? If budget allows, you could always work with a jeweler and custom make one, then it'll be one of a kind!

I was terrified of what my engagement ring would look like, I would even have nightmares about it. We just don't have the same taste in a lot of things (he likes simple, I like vibrant) anyway he went to Shane co and picked the ring out and it's SO beautiful and their rings are more unique than Kay, Jared, etc.

anyway the morale of the story is even though I was terrified, I still found it WAY more special that he went and picked one out himself. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Just to give you another point of view- I loved that my husband and I went ring shopping together. Picking out my own engagement ring was a once in a lifetime thing, I'll never be shopping for or purchasing something quite so expensive or meaningful again in my life, so I wanted full participation, especially since I (she) will be the one wearing it for the rest of my life. We didn't do any kind of proposals, we just came to an agreement to get married, but then H gave me his grandmother's engagement ring which did not fit me, so I just kept it in a safe place and we eventually had the stones reset into my engagement ring. So giving her the family heirloom even if it doesn't fit, can still be a really thoughtful option. Some women like the surprise, some want to pick their own, you know her best.

DH used an heirloom ring as a placeholder - it was too big but I didn't care! He also knew I wanted to pick my own ring.

My fiancé got my ring and wedding band from Zales. They have a buy up option where you can take the ring back and get full value for a different ring

You are so thoughtful and sweet!!!!

hubby and I were prob in the minority but I am also very particular with my jewelry, esp a piece I would wear everyday. as he said, I had way more involvement in the ring than he ever wanted BUT he wanted it to be something I would LOVE. I helped design the setting and then I had to step back. though he knew I wanted a round, picking the diamond and when he would buy it was all him. I had no idea once I approved final design of setting when he would actually buy the diamond and propose. let's just say he Suva at surprising me and even KNOWING the proposal was coming eventually he STILL managed to surprise me

FH and I shopped for a ring together before he proposed, but I was shocked when he actually did it! Although I knew he was going to, I did not expect it to be a random Wednesday just as I got home from work. I had also picked 5 I liked, then he made the final choice. It can definitely still be a surprise even if she helps pick it out!

If that's not your thing, I'd say go with a sapphire ring. It can be her something blue for your wedding, then it can be an heirloom piece for the future!

I agree with @snowinsept ... yes it's mostly about the proposal but LOTS of people want to see the ring. She may want to have a ring before she announces it. Not to be materialistic but because she wants the symbol of your love and promise. So if you're doing it in person with other people I'd get her a really gorgeous ring somewhere you could exchange it like PPs said.

If it's just you two, I'd say empty box or birth stone and then go shopping that day

I think places like Kays Jewelers have an option to upgrade or trade in as long as you go up in price and it's within so many days. Not sure but call and ask.