Buying a ring, or jewelry of any sort, is something that a lot of men fear. Here's one time when the machismo disappears and we stand like confused little boys, clutching our credit cards like helpless waifs in front of shiny glass cases packed full of seemingly endless options.

Which will she like? Which will show that I know her perfectly?

Just before Christmas, I found myself faced with this dilemma as I made my way around Milwaukee jewelry shops. Although well-stocked and with a wide variety of choices, nothing seemed right. I couldn't picture any of this stuff on her finger.

That is, until I came across the Web site for Charles Bahringer's Out of Solitude, a shop housed in an unassuming storefront on Brady Street. Bahringer's own striking designs are highlighted on the main page and after navigating the site, which shows what Bahringer can do with platinum, diamonds and other gemstones, and gold -- both yellow and white -- I gave him a call.

Bahringer took the time to show me some options and offered to customize the ring I liked to fit exactly what I was looking for. When we agreed on a sleek, ridged white gold band with a single diamond, he offered to create a wax model so I could see how the changes I'd made would look.

Not long after, I had a wax model in hand and it was perfect. Bahringer selected the perfect stone to be highlighted by the ring's modern, but class-ily modest, look and gave me an estimate.

Then, he took about two weeks to craft it in his on-site workshop. The result was stunning and I was relieved that the ring's recipient loved it.

Best of all, I wasn't intimidated or unsure and I knew I was getting something a little unusual, something that didn't look like it was made on an assembly line.

"If I'm working with a couple their input is important and sometimes they lead me with specific ideas," Bahringer says when asked where he draws inspiration for his designs.

"Other times they see something I've designed in the past and want it slightly modified. I can sit with a couple and as they present me with their own set of problems they need solved and talk about their life together I start to see images in my mind that would solve any concerns with the functionality of the design and as they speak I get flooded with design variations. So the people I am designing for are major in the inspirational process."

Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, engagements or any special occasion, Bahringer's rings are more unique that what you can find in the chain jewelers and many other shops.

Bahringer also makes a range of Celtic rings, men's rings, pendants, logo jewelry and a stunning series of emerald, sapphire and ruby rings.

Milwaukeeans aren't the only folks to benefit from, and be charmed by, Bahringer's creations, however. Cher, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and other celebrities own pieces he's made.

"I use to meet a lot of people when I did gallery shows in New York and Philadelphia," Bahringer recalls. "Cher was at one of my shows and at the time I had a friend who was in a Milwaukee based band called Cancerous White Dilation and they did a cover of a Johnny Cash song ... I was playing their CD at the show and Cher started singing the words of the song and I was so impressed that she knew the song that I went up to her and grabbed her arm and walked her over to my work and ended up talking with her about the Milwaukee music scene. It was a blast.

"I've also made things for Carol Meekins, Melissa Etheridge, Tori Amos, as well as Steven Tyler," Bahringer says. "I think some other people have my jewelry but I didn't meet them, (like) Oprah and Ethan Hawke."

Give him a call at (414) 223-3101, drop him an email at chasbah@execpc.com or visit him at 918 E. Brady St. or online at www.outofsolitude.com.