When you put on a wedding band - whatever your gender or orientation – there’s an expectation it's a piece of jewelry you will wear for life. This means your wedding band needs to fit well, be comfortable and something lovely you are proud and happy to see every day.
Choosing wedding ring styles is an important process and it is certainly more than simply deciding whether you want it to match the engagement ring or not. If both of you are going to wear matching wedding bands, you’ll find there is quite a massive choice, particularly in men’s wedding bands.
Men’s wedding bands don’t have to be basic. While the men’s wedding ring section at the jewelers was once limited to plain solid gold bands, there’s now much more variety in modern men’s wedding ring design. There’s far more than you probably realize, in a mass of designs and a wide range of materials from wood to precious metals.
These days it is more common to see a man wearing a wedding ring than not, but it wasn’t always the norm. While women have worn a traditionally gold wedding band as a symbol of their wedded status since the times of the Ancient Egyptians, men wearing wedding bands didn’t become mainstream until the mid-20th Century.
By going mainstream, it has generated interesting debate when a man now chooses not to wear one – as it is a symbol of their ties and commitment to one woman – why avoid a visible demonstration of this? It is exactly why the world raised its eyebrows when Prince William chose not to wear one after his marriage to The Duchess of Cambridge. (Prince Charles wears a wedding ring, although the Duke of Edinburgh did not!).
While a male wedding ring is no guarantee of fidelity, it is still an item of celebration and deserves to be beautiful. And, just like with a woman’s wedding ring, it is worn every day so needs to be something the wearer loves.
Thanks to an explosion in men’s wedding ring design, the options are amazing. You may decide you do not need a custom ring unless you want something that is totally unique because the perfect ring is probably already there waiting for you in a showroom.
Let’s first look at all the materials a men’s wedding ring may be made from.
Carbon Fiber: A sleek and strong metal, its appeal is a deep, mysterious look and its black color. It is also hypoallergenic, extremely durable, and lightweight.
Cobalt: A recent addition to the metals for fine bridal jewelry, this is a bright white metal with the appearance of platinum but is four times harder.
Damascus Steel: Based on the forged steel used in the Middle East in the Middle Ages, modern Damascus Steel is steel and iron slices welded together then patterned.
Gold: The traditional material for both male and female wedding bands, it is still the most popular choice. There is a choice of yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold – which has been having its moment in the last few years.
Platinum: One of the rarest metals on earth, it is one of the strongest precious metals and also among the most expensive. A white metal, it's an alternative to white gold. Durability is a major feature.
Palladium: Similar in looks to platinum, it can be polished to a mirror finish. A cheaper option than platinum and more lightweight.
Silver: Always seen as gold’s poorer cousin, sterling silver has to remain a choice for budget wedding rings and also to cater to those who prefer silver/white metal.
Stainless Steel: Increasingly popular as a choice for wedding bands, it can be polished to different finishes. It is strong, durable, and affordable.
Tantalum: A rare metal that is seeing an increase in popularity as men seek something unique or different. A dark silver color, tantalum has an industrial, futuristic appeal. It is lustrous, comfortable, durable, and scratch-resistant.
Titanium: Wedding bands of titanium started around 30 years ago. This metal is stronger than gold, it is also a lightweight metal. Durable and regal, it’s an ideal alternative to white gold.
Tungsten: A heavyweight and resistant metal that is scratch resistant. Ideal for a rugged look, tungsten wedding bands are for the man who likes the feel of a weighty ring. The metal’s nature is so tough that it cannot be altered once made so getting the right ring size is essential. Black tungsten is also an option.
Wood: One of the newest materials being chosen for wedding bands, it is the ideal choice for the eco-conscious groom and bride. The downside is that it’s harder to keep clean and not as durable as metal.
Zirconium: Used in contemporary-style rings, it is lightweight, strong, and highly scratch-resistant. Its appeal is because when it is heat-treated, a ceramic-like oxide coating forms and turns the metal black. Black zirconium is highly desirable.
As you can see, the array of available metals can make for some unique men’s wedding bands.
Now we have some idea of the potential range of styles for men’s wedding bands, let’s look at some of our favorites.
14k White Gold Men's 7mm Modern Style Two Tone Wedding BandFor the man who doesn’t want a plain band but also doesn’t want to stray too far from tradition. This two-tone wedding band is available in a range of 14K and 18K gold colors as well as a platinum option. The clever polishing makes it look like there is a circular inlay of a matte finish between two polished edges.
14k White Gold Men's 7mm Modern Style Two Tone Wedding BandStraying a little way from the traditional plain circle band, the appeal of this ring is the all-round geometric faceting. An accent strip in a contrasting metal highlights the precision of the cuts. This wedding band is available in a range of 14K and 18K gold colors and also platinum. The contrast band is white on the colored golds and yellow gold on the white gold and platinum ring.
14k Yellow Gold Modern Style Brush Finished Diamond Wedding RingIntroducing another element to plainer wedding bands is the inclusion of diamonds. In this ring, a single handpicked 0.05-karat diamond is set bezel-style into the front of the two-tone ring. Not showy but still beautiful, it provides a flash of light. Available in a range of gold colors and platinum.
The rings above can be described as being on the plainer side of men’s wedding bands. For the man who wants to make a statement, there is nothing quite like a diamond wedding band.
Diamond wedding bands can be bought to match an engagement ring or as a standalone piece of jewelry.
Diamonds add an eye-catching opulent edge to any ring. They are the most popular gemstone for engagement and wedding rings because of their brilliance and scintillation. It’s for good reason that diamonds are the symbol of love and eternity. They’re also practical because as the hardest substance on earth, they are not at risk of damage.
Let’s look at some examples of diamond wedding rings anyone would be proud to wear.
14k White Gold Men's Classic Style Diamond RingA beveled-edge ring set with baguette diamonds looks good on any finger. Four handpicked diamonds with a total carat weight of 0.76 are set channel-style in the metal of your choice (yellow, white, or rose gold or platinum).
14k White Gold Men's Modern Style Engraved Oxidized RingIf you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind ring as your wedding band, there are few that are as unique as this one. Not only does it feature an intricate grid pattern, it’s also set with bezel style round brilliant diamonds weighing a total of 0.11 carats. For something truly eye-catching and conversation-starting, choose the rose gold option. (Other colors are yellow and white gold and platinum.)
14k White Gold Men's Baguette Diamond Wedding BandOne of the most standout diamond wedding bands for men, this stunning piece features a total carat weight of 5.85 carats of baguette-cut diamonds. The gemstones are set channel-style to make a stone-heavy ring eminently wearable as a wedding band. A truly stunning diamond ring, it is available in yellow, rose, and white gold and also as an incredible-looking platinum wedding band.
14k White Gold Men's Modern Style Diamond & Sapphire RingWith its combination of diamonds and sapphires, this wedding band is never going to go unnoticed. The diamonds are 1.27 carats total of princess cut and 0.26 carats of round brilliants. The sapphires are princess cut, set in the invisible style, and weigh 2.36 carats. The rows of main stones are contained by a border of pavé cut diamonds. This look is absolutely fabulous in a white gold or platinum wedding band, but is also available in yellow gold and rose gold.
Give serious consideration to the wedding ring you want. This is more than just a standard piece of jewelry. It will be an integral part of your wedding ceremony, feature front and center in your wedding photographs and it’s not something to be changed if you get bored of it.
Such a big decision takes some thought but a methodical approach will help you decide on a ring you love. There are four key questions:
The thing to be conscious of here is being swayed by fads and passing trends. The idea of a wood ring may appeal because we are bombarded with climate change issues every day, but there are the impracticalities and reduced longevity of wood to consider. Are you considering custom rings because you have a unique wedding band in mind?
This also encompasses your choice of color. What color do you want to see on your hand every day? If you wear other jewelry, does this color fit? If you are going to have matching bands with your future spouse, do they have a preference? And, also consider the question of whether the band should match or coordinate with the engagement ring(s).
Also, new materials become available for wedding bands as jewelry and technology evolve, so don’t think you are limited to a choice of precious metals. Perhaps you are enamored with the idea of tungsten carbide or a titanium ring?
When it comes to wedding ring material, you also need to consider any allergies you or your fiancé have to any specific metal/material.
You may have your heart set on a white gold ring with a beveled edge that features a solitaire black diamond but can you afford it?
It is vital to set yourself a budget. There is the matter of the whole wedding and honeymoon to pay for so be aware of how much you can set aside for the wedding band(s).
Practical Considerations of Size
The right size: Ideally, purchase a ring in the exact right size. Any retail jeweler will allow you to use their ring sizer. If you are buying wedding bands online, there are various ways to find your ring size. Many sites will advise you on a method.
Also, on the issue of size, decide whether you desire a regular or comfort fit. A comfort fit is domed in the interior of the ring so that it is a better fit than a traditional fit which sits flat against the finger. The comfort fit is more common on men’s rings as they tend to be wider.
And another practicality of sizing is knowing if your chosen material can be resized. Some materials such as tungsten, titanium and rose gold cannot or should not be resized. Also, some ring designs are not able to be resized. A fully stoned eternity band for example has no bare metal to work with and no jeweler is going to resize a ring where it means cutting into a set gemstone.
Other Practical Considerations
The last thing to pay attention to is gemstones. If you decide on a ring that contains diamonds, be sure that the ring comes with a certificate (usually issued by the Gemological Institute of America.) This reports on the quality of the diamond and acts as a form of warranty that you receive what you pay for. This is equally important whether you buy your own loose diamond(s) to have set in a custom ring or an off-the-shelf piece of jewelry.
There are more precious metals than just gold and silver and other materials besides precious metals for a wedding band.
Choose something you love and are happy to live with every day whether it is a silver wedding band or a diamond-encrusted sold gold wedding band.
Buy from a reputable jeweler who issues the appropriate certificates and buy within your budget.
Ask and answer the three questions above to find your perfect ring.
