Kanye West and Kim Kardashian made their relationship public this and spring and now reports say that West is getting ready to take the next step - designing an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

The rapper is taking his time to custom design a ring for Kardashian, one inspired by his mother's personal jewelry collection, according to Examiner.

"Kanye picked out some of [his mother] Donda's most expensive pieces, including some diamond earrings and a ruby ring," a source said. "Donda was such an important person in Kanye's life...he kept all her jewelry as keepsakes. And now, Kanye has found a woman he respects and loves just as much as his mom, so he wants to share her jewelry with Kim."

Their relationship has been slowly coming onto the television screen as well - playing out on episodes of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," where Kim has spoken about West and the where the rapper has made a couple of appearances.  

Kardashian still has not finalized her divorce with Kris Humphries, a marriage that lasted a mere 72 days. But sources say West is planning on proposing once the settlement is complete. If the proposal does happen, many of the rapper's friends are not so keen on him giving his mother's jewels, that have such a sentimental value to them, to Kardashian.

"His friends think it's a terrible idea and are advising him not to give Kim the ring," one insider said, according to Perezhilton.com. "'Because it's a gift, it would be difficult for Kanye to ask for it back if they ever split. They've also reminded him that Kim is not somebody who works hard for her money...doing reality shows and selling her image, and Donda's jewelry shouldn't be part of that."

It seems like those close to West do not have the highest regard of Kardashian and are already thinking of a possible split between the two. 

Tags: Kim Kardashian Kanye West Perezhilton.com Keeping Up With The Kardashians Kris Humphries