Men engagement rings? Seriously? It may sound weird, ridiculous even, but yes, there is actually a growing market for men engagement rings that started with the release of the Tioro men engagement ring by jeweler H. Samuel last 2009.
In Western cultures, engagement rings are worn to indicate that a person, traditionally a woman, is engaged to a man to be married. Engagement rings usually feature diamonds, but some rings can also be adorned with other precious stones. In some cultures, both women and men wear matching rings that are subsequently used as their wedding rings as well.
Historically, a woman’s engagement ring is given by a man as a gift for their betrothal while proposing his plans to marry the woman, but it may also be given after the woman has accepted the wedding proposal.
The Birth of Men Engagement Rings
In 2009, Britain’s H. Samuel released the Tioro ring that was advertised specifically as an engagement ring for men. The Tioro engagement ring features a simple titanium band adorned with a small diamond.
Men engagement rings are actually not as new a concept as some people think since in some cultures, both women and men actually wear engagement rings that may be matching or not. Generally, the rings are made of a plain precious metal. As an example, Brazilian brides and grooms-to-be wear plain bands on their right hand while still in their engagement stage. Once married, the rings are then worn on their left hands.
Further, Argentinean brides and grooms-to-be often wear a plain, silver ring to signify their engagement and once married, their rings will be worn on their right hand or replaced with their chosen wedding rings.
Choosing Men Engagement Rings Styles
Since most men do not have fancy taste in jewelry like women do, the styles of men engagement rings are generally simpler in order to showcase a more masculine feel and look. Ring styles for men will not have prong settings or glitzy diamonds because subtlety and understated beauty are what most men will look for if they do receive engagement rings. Likewise, you wouldn’t want your man to have an engagement ring that is more beautiful than yours right?
Platinum men engagement rings – platinum is the most valuable precious metal and it is a perfect metal choice for men because it is durable, simple, while still being fashionable at the same time. It is however scratch-prone but can be easily buffed.
Titanium men engagement rings – a super light metal, titanium is a very excellent option if your man is of the physically active type. Likewise, it is perfect for very mascukline men because of its dark industrial finish. It is also very abundant so it is less expensive.
Gold men engagement rings – of course, the most traditional metal used for engagement rings is always a good option. It is one of the more affordable precious metals but is not very expensive. It is likewise easily maintained. On the other hand, if your man has skin allergies, gold men engagement rings may not be a wise choice since it can cause allergic reactions.
Men engagement rings with stones – like women, some men actually like diamonds in their jewelry for that extra ‘bling’. If you think that a diamond will be too much for your man however, you can choose rings with other gemstones or precious stones like rubies and sapphires. However, if your man is the outdoorsy, sporty type or if he constantly uses his hands for rough work, you may want to hold off on the stones since engagement rings with stones require extra care.
Dome men engagement rings – dome engagement rings are ideal for men because of their simplicity. It will also be a good option especially if your man is not fond of wearing jewelry or anything that can be classified as ‘bling’.
Flat men engagement rings – the flat style is also a great option for men engagement rings especially if your man is into the contemporary look as opposed to the classic look that dome rings have. Flat rings look sleeker and more modern because of their sides are squared off.
Elaborate men engagement rings – if your man is the type who feels comfortable wearing jewelry, then you can have fun choosing engagement rings with elaborate styles. These include two-toned engagement rings made with two different precious metals to produce an elaborate pattern usually in the wave or woven designs. Rings with milgrain may also work. A milgrain design is commonly found in dome rings and feature a small beaded pattern on the band’s edges.
Sterling silver men engagement rings – for penny-wise men, sterling silver rings may just be perfect for them. However, since sterling silver is a soft metal, it is more prone to nicks and dents. Also, sterling silver should be polished frequently to remove tarnishes.
Palladium men engagement rings – palladium is actually a relative of the metal platinum and it is quite popular because it is durable, but very affordable.
Tungsten carbide men engagement rings – tungsten carbide engagement rings are also popular because it is generally scratch resistant, highly durable, and very pocket-friendly. It is dark gray in color which is a fresh alternative to the ubiquitous silver or gold engagement rings. It is however heavier than other metals so make sure to choose thinner bands especially if your man does not usually wear jewelry.
A final note when choosing men engagement rings, yes, style is very important since an engagement ring should reflect your man’s personality. However, equally important is the size of the ring since not all metals can be resized.
