By Western traditions, an Engagement Ring is a ring presented to a woman by a man as part of a proposal of marriage. The ring is placed on the woman’s finger by the man either during the proposal or after the proposal has been accepted by the woman. Generally, an Engagement Ring represents an agreement to marriage in the near future. Usually the ring will be privately selected by the male before the proposal, however some couples choose to make an agreement to marriage in a non-formal situation and purchase a ring together. While conventionally the male offers the proposition, it is socially acceptable for the women to do so. In this case, the Engagement Ring is often a simple band of precious metal which is later used as the official wedding ring.