Before the surprise. The true nature of anxiety lurking in ring selection.

Proposing is a major life event.

While everyone shares the desire to make their partner happy, many people already find themselves in a quandary during the ring selection phase, thinking, "I don't know their finger size," or "What kind of design do they like?"

So, what were the concerns and pressures experienced by those who actually prepared a ring for their proposal?

Therefore, in collaboration with bridal jewelry company Wa-RIN-, we conducted a survey targeting 200 men and women nationwide who had previously responded that they "have experience proposing" regarding "anxieties and proposal rings when choosing an engagement ring."

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Survey Overview: "Anxiety and Proposal Rings When Choosing an Engagement Ring"

Survey Method: Internet-based survey

Survey Period: May 26, 2026 - June 2, 2026

Survey Target: Men and women nationwide who responded that they have experience proposing in a preliminary survey.

Valid Responses: 200 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Did you prepare a ring when you proposed?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason.

Question 3: What anxieties or concerns did you have when choosing a ring for your proposal? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 4: Among these, what was the biggest anxiety or concern? Also, please tell us the reason.

Question 5: How much pressure did you feel when choosing a ring without knowing the partner's size or preferences?

Question 6: Were you aware of the method of preparing a "temporary ring (proposal ring)" at the time of the proposal and then choosing the official engagement ring together later?

Question 7: Please tell us the reason.

※ In principle, values are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

73.5% responded that they "did not prepare a ring" at the time of proposal.

First, we asked whether a ring was prepared at the time of the proposal.

The most common answer was "did not prepare," at 73.5%.

This was followed by "prepared" at 19.0%, and "prepared something other than a ring" at 7.5%.

While over 70% did not prepare a ring, those who did prepare one or chose something else also had clear reasons.

Here are some of the responses, showing their thoughts.

Respondents who answered "prepared"

- Because it's a proposal. (30s, Male)

- Because I wanted them to be happy. (30s, Male)

- Because I wanted to prove it with words and a form. (50s, Male)

Respondents who answered "did not prepare"

- Because I wanted to buy it together later. (30s, Male)

- Because I wanted to buy something they liked. (40s, Male)

- Because I wanted to prepare it after the marriage was decided. (20s, Female)

Respondents who answered "prepared something other than a ring"

- Because rings can become unusable over time, so I changed it. (50s, Male)

- Because it was a casual conversation. (50s, Female)

- It was easier to do with a meal. (60s, Male)

Looking at the reasons for "not preparing," we can see a desire to choose together with mutual consent rather than unilaterally, such as "because I wanted to buy something they liked" and "because I wanted to prepare it after the marriage was decided."

On the other hand, from those who prepared a ring, there were voices like "I wanted to prove it with words and a form," showing an attitude of entrusting their resolve to the form of a ring. While proposal styles vary, the feeling of consideration for the other person is common to all choices.

"Did not know the partner's size" was the most common. Multiple hurdles exist in ring selection.

Next, we asked those who prepared a ring for their proposal about the anxieties and concerns they felt when choosing the ring.

The most common answer was "did not know the partner's size" at 26.3%.

This was followed by "difficulty judging budget/price range" at 23.7%, and "did not know the partner's design preferences" and "worried about the timing and presentation of the ring" both at 15.8%.

Other results included "did not know which brand/shop to choose" at 10.5%, "hesitated whether to give it as a surprise or choose together" at 7.9%, and "other" at 18.4%.

It is clear that there are several hurdles in ring selection, from size to presentation.

In particular, the problem of "not knowing the size" is difficult to solve the more one wants to make it a surprise, and it is one of the concerns that many people struggle with.

Here are some specific reasons for each "biggest anxiety/concern."

Respondents who answered "Did not know the partner's size."

- Because I didn't know the ring size. (30s, Male)

- Difficulty with ring size. (30s, Male)

- Did not know the size. (50s, Male)

Respondents who answered "Difficulty judging budget/price range."

- The price range was difficult to understand. (40s, Female)

- Anxiety about budget, because my salary was low. (50s, Male)

- Did not know the market price. (60s, Male)

Respondents who answered "Did not know the partner's design preferences."

- I wondered what kind of design would be good. (50s, Male)

- Whether the partner would like it. (50s, Male)

- Whether they would like it. (60s, Male)

Size, design, price, and presentation – the types of concerns are truly diverse.

The fundamental anxiety of "whether the partner will like it" seems to cast a shadow over all choices.

1 in 2 people who prepared a ring responded that they "felt pressure."

Next, we asked those who prepared a ring about the pressure they felt when choosing a ring without knowing their partner's size or preferences.

"Felt significant pressure" was 10.5%, and "felt some pressure" was 39.5%, totaling 50.0%, meaning exactly 1 in 2 people felt some kind of pressure.

On the other hand, "did not feel much pressure" was 26.3%, and "did not feel any pressure at all" was 23.7%.

Proposals are already tense situations.

Adding the ambiguity of "will the size fit?" and "does it match their preferences?" would create considerable psychological burden until the day.

Perhaps this figure arises because choosing a ring is not just a purchase, but is perceived as an important expression of intent.

81.6% responded that they "did not know" about proposal rings (temporary rings).

Next, we asked those who prepared a ring if they were aware of the proposal ring method. A proposal ring is a method where a temporary ring is given at the time of proposal, and the official engagement ring is chosen together later.

"Knew and actually used it" was 10.5%, and "knew but did not use it" was 7.9%, indicating that awareness is still developing.

On the other hand, "did not know, but would have considered it if I had known" was 31.6%, and "did not know, and did not consider it" was 50.0%, bringing the total of "did not know" to 81.6%.

In fact, over 80% went into their proposal without knowing this method.

We asked for reasons for "actually using it" or "knowing about it," and impressions when they "did not know," and present some of them here.

Respondents who answered "Knew and actually used it."

- Because I wanted something that would make them happy. (40s, Female)

- Because it's easy. (60s, Male)

Respondents who answered "Knew but did not use it."

- Fortunately, it fit perfectly. (30s, Male)

- It was a bit too realistic and killed the romance. (40s, Male)

Respondents who answered "Did not know, but would have considered it if I had known."

- Because I can create a design they like. (40s, Male)

- I thought it would be a wonderful experience to choose together. (50s, Male)

- It's a foolproof, good method. (70s, Male)

While there were comments like "it's too realistic and diminishes the romance," there were also positive opinions such as "it's wonderful to choose together" and "you can choose a design you like."

While valuing the感動 (kandō - deep emotion/impression) of a surprise, some people are attracted to the practical benefits of preventing mistakes in size and design, and it would be an effective method as an option if awareness spreads.

Summary

This survey revealed that 73.5% of those with proposal experience proposed without a ring, with the background being the desire to "choose together later" and practical circumstances.

On the other hand, half of those who prepared a ring felt pressure, and the reality of choosing while facing multiple concerns such as size, budget, and design became clear. Furthermore, over 80% were unaware of the proposal ring method, but knowing about it could offer an option to alleviate anxiety in ring selection.

Isn't researching methods in advance to obtain a ring that both partners are satisfied with, while also focusing on the surprise element, the shortcut to a happier proposal?

<For use in articles, etc.>

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【About Wa-RIN- Co., Ltd.】

Company Name: Wa-RIN- Co., Ltd.

Location: 453-4 Iizuka-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma 370-0069

Representative: Ryoji Kimura

Tel: 027-386-3500

URL: https://rin-haruka.com/

Business Description: A specialty bridal jewelry store founded in 2004 and incorporated in 2024, its 20th anniversary. We deliver rings handcrafted by artisans, with the wish that "the couple will cherish their connection forever and have a harmonious and peaceful family."

In addition to handling high-quality diamonds as the general agent for William-LennyDiamond, we also engage in a wide range of activities including the development and wholesale of general medical devices, gem appraisal, and cafe operations.

【About NEXER Group Inc.】

Headquarters: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

President and CEO: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

Business Description: SEO, Web Branding, Web Advertising, Site Production, Media

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: アンケート結果
  • Organizations: William-LennyDiamond