Let's talk about mangagement rings. I'll tackle the obvious question first: what in the world is a mangagement ring? It's a male engagement ring, of course! That's right -- it's a ring that all you ladies and gentlemen can present to your beau if and when you propose. This is a new trend that's starting to take off here in the U.S.: More women are proposing to their men, and gay marriage and civil unions are legal in more and more states. How do you go about selecting the perfect male engagement ring? Here are a few tips to put you on the right track! 

1. Know his style.

Mangagement rings come in a lot of styles. You can choose a ring with or without diamonds. It can be made with steel, rubber and cobalt,  platinum, gold, tungsten, and more. Really think about your guy and what he likes. Would he prefer something more rugged and minimalist or something more bold and adventurous? He's going to be wearing this ring for a long time, so make sure it's something he'll love!

2. Consider your wedding bands.

You also need to consider your wedding bands when picking out a mangagement ring. Do you plan to upgrade to a different ring before you exchange vows? Or is his male engagement ring going to also be his wedding band? This aspect should particularly influence how much you're willing to spend. If the mangagement ring is going to be replaced by a nicer wedding band, then you might consider buying a male engagement ring that's on the less expensive side. However, if you plan on this ring serving two purposes -- both mangagement ring and wedding band -- then you might want to splurge on the ring he'll be wearing for the rest of his life.

3. Take him with you.

If you want to guarantee that you'll pick out a ring that he loves, take him with you! You can propose beforehand without a ring or maybe even with a meaningful gift. Afterward, include him in ring shopping and let him choose his own mangagement ring. This might take some of the fun and surprise out of it, but you'll be left satisfied and knowing that he picked out the ring he loved. What do you think of the mangagement ring trend? Is it something you would consider? Browse our selection of male engagement rings.