So I have decided to propose to my long-time girlfriend. We've been together long enough that she's totally waiting for it, so I want to get as much of a surprise as I can by blindsiding her. This means I definitely want to propose with a ring, and I want it to be the right ring, not just a place holder to shop for thr real one later.
The problem is I have virtually no idea what she wants. I know her well enough to know her tastes and sensibilities, but an engagement ring is a little different. I do know she likes whte metal over gold, but that's about it for actual jewelry knowledge. I know I want a synthetic diamond, and think she'd conceptually like the idea, but don't know if she'd be happy with a colored stone, if I can afford a white synthetic stone, etc.
I'd love to be able to squeese some info out of her, but I'm nervous about tipping her off about the proposal. Again, I want this to come out of nowhere (after what's been probably a very long wait). I've thought maybe I can pull someone aside and ask them to bring specific things up in conversation so i can hear her opinion without it coming from me, but I'm even nervous she'd catch on to that.
So...advice please?