A guide to men’s wedding ring styles 

Exchanging wedding rings with your partner is likely to be one of the highlights of your wedding ceremony. But shopping for a wedding band can be an overwhelming process. Especially if this is the first time you’ve chosen a ring for yourself. To help you get started, Jack Jahan, from Ramsdens Jewellery, explains what to look for in a men’s wedding band.

Your wedding band is likely to be the most meaningful and important piece of jewellery you ever own. And, not only does it have a lot of sentimental value. But you’re also going to wear it every day, so it’s essential that you pick a timeless style that you’ll love wearing for a long time to come. You’re also probably going to want to invest a fair bit of money in your ring to make sure it’s something that will last a lifetime. And all of this can mean that there’s quite a lot of pressure on you to make the right choice!

Different styles of wedding rings 

While most people tend of think of wedding rings as being quite plain and unassuming, there’s actually lots of choice out there. It can make it tricky to know where to start. In this post, I’ll take you through all the different styles of wedding band for men, so you can find a ring that you’ll love wearing for the rest of your life.

 

Choosing a precious metal for your wedding ring

Perhaps the most important decision you’ll need to make when ring shopping is which kind of precious metal you want. There’s a lot more to consider than simply whether you like the colour, too. In fact different kinds of metals have different properties, strengths, and weaknesses, so you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of each kind. Additionally, the material that the ring is crafted from can have a big influence on the price. Due to you’ll have to bear your budget in mind when making your decision, too.

A ring can of course be made from any kind of metal. But, for wedding bands, the following tend to be the most popular:

  • Yellow gold: Yellow gold is popular for a reason — it’s beautiful, versatile, and never goes out of fashion. However, not all golds are created equal. Because it’s naturally quite a malleable material, other metals are usually added to the gold to create a more durable alloy. The purity of the gold is reflected in the carat rating, and lower carat pieces tend to be more affordable and durable, while higher carat golds are more expensive and luxurious. So, it’s usually possible to find a gold ring to suit different budgets.
  • Platinum: This brilliantly shiny silvery metal is rare, extremely durable, and incredibly beautiful, making it an excellent choice for an important piece of jewellery like a wedding band. However, this is often reflected in the price, and platinum rings will almost always be the most expensive.
  • White gold: White gold is an alloy of yellow gold and other silver metals, which is then coated in rhodium to give it a lustrous shiny finish. It looks quite similar to platinum, but tends to be a bit more affordable. However, it often needs to be re-plated with rhodium every few years to maintain that beautiful shiny appearance.
  • Rose gold: This is a pink-hued gold and copper alloy that’s become incredibly popular in recent years, and it’s a great choice for grooms who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary. The copper in the alloy makes rose gold more durable than traditional yellow golds, too.
  • Palladium: Palladium is a bit like a darker version of platinum. It’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for men’s wedding bands, as it has a distinctly masculine look to it. And, much like platinum, it’s a durable metal with a consistent high-shine finish, but at a more affordable price.
  • Sterling silver: Silver is a timeless choice for a wedding ring and, as it’s one of the most affordable types of precious metal, it’s a great choice if you’re on a tight budget. Just be sure to get a high-quality piece, so you can be confident that it will last.

Choosing a style for your wedding ring

A plain, unadorned band is often the most popular choice for a wedding ring. But you don’t need to stick with the traditional choice if you’d rather have something a little less conventional. These days, there have never been more options for fashion-forward grooms who want to stand out from the crowd. If the classic plain wedding band isn’t really your style, you could also consider going for a:

  • Carved ring: These rings have carved detailing around the band, adding visual interest and texture to the ring.
  • Gemstone rings: Adding a touch of sparkle to your ring will instantly set it apart from the crowd. These days, more and more men are choosing to stand out from the crowd with a ring that has a diamond or other gemstone set into the band. Unpolished “raw” diamonds are becoming quite popular, and they have a rustic, masculine look which is ideal for a man’s wedding band.
  • Signet rings: While it’s not the usual choice for a wedding ring, there’s no reason you can’t go for a signet ring if you’d rather have something unique. For a special touch, you could even add your partner’s initials to the face of the ring to create a truly personal and romantic piece. Or, you could even go one step further, and have a new family crest designed! Signet rings make great family heirlooms that can be passed on to your future children, too.

Pick a profile for your band 

If you do decide to stick with the more traditional classic band design, you might be surprised to learn that there are lots of different profiles to choose from. This refers to the shape of the surface of the band, and it can have a big impact on both the look of the ring, and the way it feels on your finger.

One of the most popular profile styles are domed bands, which are shaped like the letter “D”. They have a smooth, rounded shape, which gives them an elegant appearance, and means they’re very comfortable to wear. At the other end of the spectrum, flat rings are the same width all the way around the band. This gives them a more chunky, masculine look, but some people might find that the hard edges are a bit uncomfortable when worn.

The best way to find a profile that you like is to try a few different styles on in person: this will give you a better idea of how each ring feels on your finger. It will also give you an indication of whether you prefer thicker, chunkier bands, or more delicate styles.

Making your ring your own 

A wedding ring is a highly personal item, so it’s only natural that you’ll want to make it your own. There are lots of ways to do this, but one of the most popular is getting your ring engraved with a personal inscription, like your partner’s initials, the date of your wedding, or a lyric or quote that holds a special meaning for you and your spouse. Plus, if your partner chooses to add a similar engraving, can be a really romantic way to link your rings together, even if you’ve gone for different styles, metals, or profiles.

Be sure to bear these tips in mind when shopping, and you should have no difficulty finding the perfect wedding ring.