Unique Men’s Wedding Bands
When it comes to wedding jewelry, all the focus is on the engagement ring. This also means that all the attention is paid to the female half of the couple. An engagement ring says a lot about a women’s personal style and taste, yet a man doesn’t have this outlet for expression.
For the male, the option to show off is his wedding band. In recent years, men’s wedding bands have started to be less of a plain gold ring or a band of another precious metal and more of an expression of style as well as a symbol of his beautiful partnership with the person he loves.
The choice of men’s wedding bands is now as vast as women’s wedding bands and men face as much of an overwhelming choice as to when trying to pick out the perfect engagement ring for their fiance.
How to Choose a Men’s Wedding Band
You might be very lucky and happen to fall in love with a ring when you look in the jeweler’s window but most men will contemplate a number of factors before deciding on their perfect ring.
These factors are
- material
- width/size
- style
Materials Used to Make Men’s Wedding Rings
Once upon a time, men didn’t wear wedding bands. Then it became more the norm but pretty much that norm became a gold wedding band. Now there are so many different materials that a men’s wedding ring can be made from. They are
Precious metals - yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, sterling silver, platinum, palladium
Alternative metals - tungsten, stainless steel, Damascus steel, titanium, cobalt
Other materials - ceramic, leather, wood, carbon fiber
As well as these for the actual construction of the ring, other materials may be incorporated as inlays and decorations. Some materials that have made their way into men’s wedding rings include lab-grown diamonds, colored gemstones, pieces of meteorite, antler or horn, and even dinosaur bone, who knows what will be trending next ...
As you can see, even just from the number of materials that may be used (and then even more when you start combining any of them), if you don’t want a simple solid gold wedding band, you will be able to find a unique ring that you love. As well as a wealth of materials, the metals also come in different finishes like
- polished (shiny),
- matte
- hammered
- brushed
- scratch-resistant.
If the perfect ring for you is a bold choice or a one-of-a-kind, you won’t be lost for suitable ring styles.
Some considerations of material choice:
- Resizing: Your ring finger’s physicality will change over time and if you want to consider this in your choice of ring, precious metals are the best for easy resizing.
- Allergies: If possible, know which materials you are allergic to. For example, white gold contains nickel to which some people are allergic.
- Cost: The most precious of precious metals like platinum and palladium come with a hefty price tag.
- Workload: If you do a lot of manual work, you need a durable ring. Tungsten is increasingly popular for its high resistance to scratching and damage.
Choosing a Men’s Wedding Ring Width and Fit
Like any other sort of ring, wedding rings for men are available in different widths. The simplest way to look at them is generally,
- slim - 4mm
- medium - 6mm
- wide - 8mm
You can make a conscious choice or go with what looks best on your finger. For example, wider rings look better on longer and larger fingers.
Even if you are going to settle on a ring you buy online, it makes sense to go to a jewelry store to try on different widths to see how you like the look and feel of them on your finger. This also gives you the chance to find out your ring size.
Type of fit is another consideration in the realm of sizing. There are two types of fit - standard, and comfort. Fit refers to the shape of the ring’s inner wall, i.e. the part of the ring that makes contact with your finger when you slide it on and wear it.
Standard fit - the inner wall of the ring is straight
Comfort fit - also known as the comfort curve, the inner wall of the ring is convex
Why should you choose a comfort fit wedding ring?
- Comfort: A comfort fit ring follows the contour of your finger much closer than a standard fit. A standard fit is often hard-edged which can cause a small amount of discomfort. Best avoided in something you are going to wear every day of your life. It is also easier for a comfort fit ring to slide over your knuckle.
- Cost: Generally, if you choose a precious metal wedding band, the cost will reflect the weight of the metal used. There is less metal used in a comfort fit ring because of the convex inner wall so a comfort fit ring is slightly cheaper.
- Hygiene: Many people suffer contact dermatitis under their wedding rings. Because there is less contact surface area with a comfort fit ring there is less risk of trapped dirt and moisture causing irritation.
How to Choose the Right Sized Men’s Wedding Ring
Something you wear every day needs to fit correctly. Loose rings cause irritation from friction while too small a ring is simply uncomfortable. Knowing your ring size is vital to getting the right fit, especially if you are going to order from an online jeweler.
As well as knowing your ring size there are some peripheral considerations.
- Wide bands: Wider band rings - especially those in a comfort fit - tend to be a tighter fit so you may need to go up half a size.
- Physical changes: Fingers can change in shape throughout the day so be aware of how a ring fits at various times to decide if the fit is right or not. Fingers may also change with the seasons.
- There may be minute differences between ring gauges from different jewelers. Try a couple and also use a method detailed online to get an accurate measurement.
Set a Budget For Your Wedding Band
This is down to individual choice and circumstances but be realistic. It is no good dreaming of a diamond wedding band if you can only afford a sterling silver ring (remember you can always upgrade to a more expensive ring when you can afford it!).
Generally, the scale of prices for precious metals ranks diamond rings and platinum rings first, followed by those made from palladium, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and then silver. Modern metals like tungsten and titanium usually cost less than wedding bands made from precious metals.
No matter your budget, there will be an amazing array of rings from which to make your choice.
How to Choose a Style for Your Wedding Band
Style includes texture, aesthetics, and profile. We’ve already discussed texture (under materials) and we’ll come to aesthetic so what is a profile?
Profile refers to the basic shape of a ring. There are four profiles to be aware of
Classic court - the most common shape is round inside and out.
D-Shape - offering a closer fit, the inside is flat while the outside is thin and round
Flat - flat inside and out, it’s comfy to wear but can get caught on clothing or machinery
Flat Court - this ring profile combines a round interior with a flat exterior.
As well as the overall design and style of men’s wedding bands, there are other features that can be considered, especially if you’re looking for a unique ring. Rings made from precious metals and modern metals can be personalized with engraving which these days can be a word, message, fingerprint, or an image.
The last option to be aware of is bespoke rings. The most unique men’s wedding bands are those that the groom-to-be designs himself or has commissioned to order.
Examples of Men’s Wedding Bands
Now you are armed with all the information you need to make an informed choice so you end up with the perfect ring for you, let’s look at some really striking examples of Danhov men’s wedding bands that stand out from the crowd.
A stunning ring that shows how masculine black diamonds can be in a beautifully simple setting. A wide band (8mm) of white gold, it features 60 gemstones with a total karat weight of 0.9.
A medium-sized band (6mm), the devil is all in the detail. The surface of the ring features dozens of circles to provide a unique texture.
A truly unique wedding band for the modern age, this ring (6mm) is a circlet of rods in highly polished white gold. The industrial look is going to be a conversation starter.
Pelote Domed Diamond Wedding Band For Men in 14k White Gold
A clever combination of textures and gemstones works in harmony to produce a ring to be proud of. The glossy white gold ring features a textured central band set with 10 VS1 clarity grade diamonds with a total karat weight of 0.5.
A clear demonstration of how color can bring a touch of magic to a wedding band. This is a dynamic choice of jewelry design with its bold geometric band and circle-adorned dome.
Men’s wedding bands are as much a symbol of your relationship as your fiance’s solitaire engagement ring. Your chosen ring should speak to you and be one you love. Unless you are bound by a decision for you and your partner to wear matching rings, there is a massive choice of rings that will allow you to express your individual spirit as well as be the symbol of your everlasting love.