However, Amodio says such an extreme reaction really is worst-case scenario, and Beaverbrooks’ proposal rings give popping the question an instant “wow” factor that the promise of “we’ll choose one together” just can’t.

“Whether it’s a £50 cubic zirconia solitaire ring from Beaverbrooks or a £10 wrap ring from Accessorize, a temporary engagement ring gives the wearer a cooling-off period to see how the style looks and feels on her hand without the worry of knowing she’s stuck with an expensive piece of jewellery she has no intention of keeping.”

Watch: How engagement ring designs have changed over the past 100 years

Of course, there is no rule to say that engaged women have to wear a ring at all. And with “dummy” rings looking so similar to their far pricier diamond counterparts, many women who do decide to wear one may prefer to stick with the budget proposal version.

Why do we wear an engagement ring?

- It symbolises eternity – no beginning and no end

- Wedding rings began in ancient Egypt, but Archduke Maximilian of Austria is widely believed to have begun the engagement ring tradition in 1477 when he gave Mary of Burgundy a gothic diamond ‘M' ring

- Diamonds are popular as symbols of marriage because they’re hardwearing, durable, rare and unique

- It’s traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because ancient Romans wrongly believed the finger has a vein that runs directly to the heart

- Not everyone wears it on the left – in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain, India, Colombia, Venezuela, and Poland it’s usually worn on the right hand

There's a new range of dummy engagement rings for nervous proposers