Survey: British women willing to chip in for engagement rings

LONDON, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A British jewelry company said its survey indicates more than half of women would be willing to contribute to the cost of their engagement rings.

Diamond retailer Vashi said its survey of 1,000 British women found slightly more than half of respondents said they would be willing to pay a portion of the cost of their engagement rings to ensure they received the ring they wanted most, the London Evening Standard reported Friday.

The company said about one in 10 women would be upset if their fiances purchased rings without first asking for their input.

The survey found about a third of respondents were happy to leave the details of the marriage proposal up to their partners, while about a quarter said they have specific stipulations for the event and the size and cut of the diamond on their rings.

"We are seeing a clear trend in the requests made to our advisers. Men have clearly been told what to buy or have canvassed the views of friends in the hope of getting it right," Vashi founder Vashi Dominguez said. "One thing is for sure: Men should keep in mind this Valentine's Day that the days of presenting a ring and expecting it to be accepted wholesale are over. Modern women expect a ring that is finely attuned to their tastes and hand; and why shouldn't they? A diamond ring is not only their most constant accessory -- it is forever."

Vashi did not release details of the survey.