Men’s wedding rings don’t have to be plain. To stand out, add diamonds and other gemstones in metals like stainless steel, platinum or different colors of gold. We’ll help you and your groom choose a ring that’s both stylish and practical.
A brief history of men’s wedding rings
Men’s wedding rings are a relatively recent addition to the fashion industry. Jewelers had been trying to promote men’s wedding rings since the 1920s, but grooms weren’t buying it. It wasn’t until World War II, when men wore rings to remember their loved ones, that the value and appeal of rings became apparent. In 1945, Hollywood movie star Humphrey Bogart showed his millions of fans what was possible when he decided to wear a wedding ring at his wedding to actress Lauren Bacall. Fast forward to the present day, and you’ll find many A-list celebrities, athletes and entertainers wearing men’s wedding rings, such as Ryan Reynolds, David Beckham and Michael Bublé. When Prince Harry (now the Duke of Sussex) married Meghan Markle, he opted to wear a platinum wedding ring, bucking the tradition of Welsh gold, which is commonly used in British royal weddings. So, when it comes to tradition, who is responsible for choosing and paying for the groom’s wedding ring? Fortunately, there are no rigid customs when it comes to men’s wedding rings. Usually, it is agreed upon by both parties, and the bride buys the wedding ring. Modern couples usually buy together: the bride considers the style and design, and the groom himself chooses the wedding ring style that suits him.
Defining the style of men’s wedding rings
Just like choosing an engagement ring, picking a forever wedding ring can be overwhelming. You can narrow your choices by weighing his personal style and considering the rings that best reflect his personality. Before you start shopping, ask yourself:
- What type of activities does he like? Hiking? Reading? Mountain biking? Clubbing? A simple suggestion: the more active he is, the simpler his wedding ring should be. A wedding ring that is too flashy or has too many gemstones is more likely to get damaged when playing football or hiking. A plain stainless steel wedding ring or a ring made of a lightweight metal like titanium may be a better choice. If he has a quiet personality and hobbies, a wedding ring with an exquisite design may be a good choice for him.
- What kind of jewelry does he like to wear? If your fiancé likes sparkly accessories, he may like a wedding ring that is intricately crafted and studded with gemstones. If your fiancé doesn’t like to wear jewelry, he may prefer a simple wedding ring.
Is your fiancé an extrovert? Does he like to be the center of attention? Then he might like this 14K white gold ring featuring 2.64 carats of princess-cut yellow diamonds and round brilliant-cut colorless diamonds.
Metal selection for men’s wedding rings
Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum are popular choices for men’s wedding rings, but many other metals and materials are also suitable. How to choose? In fact, this also depends on personal style, cost, and other considerations. Precious Metals
- Gold has been used to make jewelry for 6,000 years. If your fiancé enjoys museums, historical novels/movies, and classic cars, a gold ring may be a better choice for him.
- Rose gold is a popular warm color choice right now. Don’t rule it out just because it sounds feminine, darker tones can sometimes be more eye-catching.
- White metals like white gold and platinum have been popular over the past few decades. If you prefer a cool, modern look for your ring, go for white metals.
Black diamonds set in rose gold are very eye-catching and make a great wedding ring for men.
Men’s wedding rings can also be made from a variety of gold materials. For example, the contrast created by combining yellow gold, white gold or platinum is very eye-catching. Please note the following two points about precious metals:
- Cost: Platinum rings are generally more expensive than gold rings. This is because platinum has a slightly higher specific gravity (mass/volume) than gold, so a ring made of platinum will weigh more than a ring made of gold. Also, platinum alloys are usually 90-95% pure, while gold alloys are usually 58.5% (14K) or 75% pure (18K). Alloy metals such as copper, nickel, and zinc are cheaper than precious metals, and the more precious metals a ring contains, the more expensive it will be.
- Allergies: Many people are sensitive to metals commonly used in gold alloys, such as nickel or copper. If he is allergic to certain alloy metals, he should avoid yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold. Platinum is less allergenic and is a safer choice if he is allergic to metals.
Several other metals and materials are popular choices for men’s wedding rings:
- Tungsten carbide is scratch-resistant and does not require polishing.
- Cobalt alloys are very hard and scratch resistant, and cobalt is hypoallergenic.
- Stainless steel is scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, and strong, all at an affordable price.
- Palladium has the same “white” appearance as platinum, is hypoallergenic, and won’t fade. It is also harder, scratch-resistant, and more affordable than platinum.
- Titanium is lightweight, scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic and extremely durable. It is also economically priced.
- Ceramic wedding bands are often affordable and come in a variety of colors. Ceramic is a hard and lightweight material, but since it’s not metal, it can chip and break.
If you choose a precious metal alternative, be sure to consult your jeweler before making a decision. Some materials are harder to size than others; some are harder to remove from your finger in an emergency; and some may not fit your lifestyle. For example, tungsten conducts electricity, so it may not be suitable for some professions. Read Men’s Jewelry: Jewelry Metal Alternatives for more information on gold alternatives in jewelry.
Do men need diamonds for their wedding rings?
The answer is a resounding “yes”! There’s a reason why diamond wedding rings for men are becoming increasingly popular. Ranking 10th on the Mohs hardness scale , diamonds are renowned for their durability. They’re also highly symbolic gemstones that can add infinite glamour and sparkle to an ordinary wedding ring. If your fiancé wants a diamond in his ring, he may have already learned about GIA’s 4Cs of diamonds when shopping for your engagement ring. Therefore, understanding information such as diamond color , cut , clarity and carat weight , and how these factors affect its value, will help you find the perfect ring among the wide variety of diamond wedding rings.
This wedding band strategically uses 14K yellow and white gold to create a striking design. The metal surrounds a 0.57 ct diamond.
You can choose a solitaire bezel setting for maximum durability. Or, if you value sparkle more, consider adding melee diamonds to your wedding ring. The smallest melee diamond size can be 0.001 carat (1/1000 of a carat). These small diamonds are usually single (round with 17 or 18 facets) or full (round brilliant with 57 or 58 facets). In men’s wedding rings, they are often channel or bead-set into the ring, flush with the metal surface. Here’s another reason to consider melee diamonds: Multiple small diamonds are usually more affordable than a single diamond of the same weight. So for the same amount of money, your ring can sparkle more. If you’re considering a melee diamond ring, be sure to read Melee Diamonds: Small Diamonds Make a Big Impact .
The curved band is made of two 14K golds, the yellow gold has a hammered finish, and the white gold has a satin finish, and is set with 0.60 carats of diamonds. The look is both chic and sophisticated.
Colored Gemstones and Men’s Wedding Rings
Add a splash of color to a man’s wedding ring by adding gemstones like sapphires and rubies . These two gemstones are both beautiful and durable. They have a Mohs hardness of 9, making them suitable for daily wear. If sapphires and rubies are not to his liking, consider his birthstone or other meaningful gemstones. Some gemstones, such as emeralds , are not recommended for wedding rings because they are easily damaged by daily wear. Other gemstones, such as garnets, spinels, aquamarines, jadeite, and nephrite, can withstand daily wear and tear. If you want to choose this, it’s best to do some research and talk to a trusted jeweler.
To protect gemstones in your wedding ring, consider a bezel or channel setting. A bezel setting is a jewelry setting that uses a narrow band of metal to surround and secure the gemstone. In a channel setting, gemstones of the same size are set edge to edge along two parallel metal walls, with no metal between the gemstones.
The diamonds in this 14K white gold wedding ring are well protected by using a channel setting.
Determining Ring Size for Men’s Wedding Rings
Once you’ve chosen his wedding band style, metal, and even gemstone, you’ll want the ring to fit his finger. The best way to determine ring size is to have your jeweler measure it using a set of finger-sizing rings, also known as a ring-sizing tool. It consists of a series of metal rings that are 1/2 size apart, and you put it on your finger to find the one that fits best and is most comfortable. Your jeweler will consider other factors that may affect ring size, such as temperature, humidity, altitude, and even the time of day. Leave this to a professional to take the guesswork out of the process.
