Engagement Rings

Engagement rings for men can be a tricky thing to choose. There are seemingly endless options available, and in the midst of planning a wedding, having to make a final decision of something that is going to be worn until “death do you part,” you are most certainly going to want to make sure that the ring that is on your finger is one that you are going to absolutely love looking at each and every day. If you are recently engaged or are considering investing in an engagement ring for the beloved man in your life, this is the article for you. Here, we will be assessing some of the finest options of men’s engagement rings so that you can determine what is going to be in your best interest of investing in!

Breaking Social Norms

While, traditionally speaking, the majority of men do not wear engagement rings, this is rapidly changing. Millennial couples are prioritizing more openness and less conformity to customs and gender roles while focusing on equality, love, and commitment. This change can also be seen in jewelry as well, particularly in the way of men’s fashion. 

Since 2007, there has been a 56 percent surge in men looking for male engagement rings, according to one estimate. According to another poll, 67 percent of males are willing to wear an engagement ring. Even in mainstream culture, engagement rings are becoming increasingly popular: Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and others.

Between the Proposal and the Wedding: What Does the Fiancé Do?

Grooms have numerous reasons for wanting to wear a ring before the wedding, aside from defying tradition.

The pair wants to arrange a "second" proposal, often known as a "re-proposal," in which the bride proposes to the groom. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the bride will treasure and remember for the rest of her life. Creating this kind of experience for the groom is also incredibly sweet and thoughtful.

The way we think about rings is changing as a result of modern relationships. They used to be a bit out of style, but they're increasingly becoming emblems of equality. Gone are the days when rings were used to denote possession and the groom would "claim" the bride-to-be. If you truly want to own the terminology you use to describe your relationship, it's only natural that the ring now represents your love and devotion to each other—and if that's the case, you'll need your own bling!

Of course, announcing to the world that your significant other is "off the market" is a nice benefit. Why is this supposed to be a one-sided message? While the woman gets to brag about her proposal and wedding plans, the male gets to continue living his bachelor lifestyle until the big day? That doesn't seem right.

So Many Questions!

Who chooses/buys the engagement ring? How is it worn after the wedding? Grooms have numerous reasons for wanting to wear a ring before the wedding, aside from defying tradition.

It is entirely up to you to make the decision of who chooses and buys the ring. After talking about it, many couples will select who pays for the engagement ring or wedding band. Perhaps the greatest option is for the man to buy the lady's ring while the woman buys the man's ring. For all expenses, perhaps the entire cost is split in half. Perhaps the person with a larger income contributes more. There is no right or wrong answer, but you should plan out your wedding ring specifications to get a better understanding of your entire costs. It's not surprising that you'd go from two to four rings.

A lady traditionally wears an engagement ring on her right hand, then a wedding band on her left hand during the ceremony and for the rest of her life. Some brides now wear their engagement ring on their left hand instead of their right. Some women keep the engagement ring in the family and wear the wedding band for the rest of their lives. Other brides mix the rings and wear the engagement ring as well as the wedding band/ring.

Decisions, Decisions…

When looking at men's engagement ring styles, you should be aware of the following terms. It's great to play around with your ring styles and try on a few rings while you're out shopping. Remember, this is a procedure, not a one-time purchase.

In terms of metals and materials, some of the top options available are: Cobalt, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Meteorite, Palladium, Platinum, Silicone, Sterling Silver, Tantalum, Titanium, Tungsten, and Wood. There are also multiple examples of various types of bands, including: Classic, Carved, and Diamond bands (single diamond or multiple diamonds).

You can typically figure out your ring size with the help of a brick-and-mortar jeweler, but there are also online ring size charts. According to experts, you should take your measurements while you are neither cold nor warm—as relaxed and natural as possible. The width of a man's ring is normally larger than that of a woman's. The most common sizes are 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm, and curved, domed, beveled, and flat edges are also available.

Considering a men’s engagement ring truly is one of the best ways that a man can feel honored and appreciated throughout the entire wedding process. While it may seem a bit overwhelming considering all of the options available, take the time to step back and simply enjoy the journey. The right engagement ring will find its way to you!