With wedding planning, the bulk of the attention is usually on the bride’s big day but we should never forget the groom’s important role. Picking a wedding outfit might be less stressful for a groom than it is for a bride, but something that needs just as much thinking time and consideration as their partner is the selection of a wedding ring! 

The practice of men wearing wedding bands is far more prevalent than ever and with the increase in non-traditional marriages, there is no greater significance in male wedding rings.

There is just as much to think about in the world of men’s wedding rings as there is in women’s rings. Where before there was a fairly limited choice of plain or patterned gold bands, there has been an explosion in design.

Ultimately, it is all about personal style when it comes to finding out what different ring styles are going to be best for you, but it always helps to go into the wedding ring shopping experience with as much knowledge on the subject as you can.

With this in mind, here is the ultimate guide to wedding bands for men’s rings. Read up and we guarantee that you will feel much more confident when you go into your jeweler to discuss or design a piece of jewelry that turns out to be the perfect ring for you.

Set Yourself A Budget

The most important thing to do is set yourself a strict but sensible budget. There are so many different styles for each price point, and you have to decide on things like metal, finish, etc. that can start to build the cost before you have even started to really think about it.

Deciding on a maximum price early in the process can save you a lot of time and streamline your options with your jeweler. Typically, men’s wedding rings are priced in the $750 to $1500 range depending on what you want and whether you choose a higher karat gold or want gemstones.

Don’t worry though, even if you have a smaller-than-average budget to play with, there will always be something for you.

Choose A Style

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that all men’s wedding rings are the same and straightforward to select. There are just as many different styles of men’s bands as there are women’s! Some of the most common categories include:

Classic

The classic wedding ring style is an all-metal band that is smooth. Classic wedding bands are a timeless option that you can be sure will never go out of style.

Curved

Domed or curved wedding rings are another popular choice and have stood the test of time over the generations. The distinctive curved edges of the band promote a greater deal of comfort, as well as ease for taking on and off if you lead a sporty active lifestyle.

Diamond

Diamond wedding bands are becoming increasingly popular as the classic definition of ‘masculinity’ in men’s fashion and accessories have evolved. If you like your partner’s diamond engagement ring and fancy a little matching bling for yourself, then why not?

Gemstone

Along with diamonds, there are other gemstones that can be incorporated into a man’s wedding band. If you want a pop of color rather than the classic clear diamond look, then there’s a wide choice of gemstones and semi-precious stones.

Choose A Shape

Classic  

Rounded inside and out for a classic, timeless look and increased comfort to boot. 

Flat

Flat rings feature a flat or founded interior, with a flat exterior to achieve a much more contemporary and modern look that is fast rising in popularity. 

Domed (Or D-Shape) 

D shape or domes rings have a rounded outside and a flatter inside, with the aim of achieving a much closer fit on the finger.

Beveled

A beloved wedding ring is somewhere in between a flat and domed shape. It features three facets as opposed to the continuous outer surface of a traditional wedding ring. The facets help to create a slightly more rounded edge of extra comfort.

Knife-Edge 

This is a much more contemporary style that has a flat inside and a pointed outside. The outer edge creates a fetching V shape that points away from the ring finger.

Coin 

Coin edge rings feature a grooved pattern (just like a coin) that goes around the whole edge of the ring. The texture of this option can add a lot of personality to the ring.

Determine The Width You Need

Another important step is to determine how wide you want your ring to be on your finger. The best thing to do is try on a variety of different bandwidths and decide which you like best, it really is just a matter of preference.

The average bandwidth is 6mm but you can go smaller and larger with the price point reducing or rising exponentially. If you want a wider band to make an impact you may need to compromise on other features if you are constrained by budget. You might choose white gold if you had a preference for platinum, for example.

Choose Your Metal Type

This is very much a case of personal preference, especially when designing a ring from scratch because the world is pretty much your oyster! That being said, some of the most common and popular precious metals that are used for men’s gold wedding bands (and other metals!) include:

• Platinum
• White Gold
• Yellow Gold
• Rose Gold
• Palladium
• Titanium
• Stainless Steel
• Damascus steel
• Sterling Silver
• Cobalt
• Tungsten
• Tantalum
• Meteorite
• Rhodium

Also, your ring doesn’t have to be metal. Contemporary artisan jewelers work with all sorts of materials to create wedding bands including ceramic, enamel, wood, leather, and bamboo.

Choose Your Finish

High Polish Finish

High polish finish is the classic standard for any wedding ring, leaving a smooth surface and texture all over with no irregularities left on the metal.

Satin Finish

Satin finish rings have a smooth surface, but they are not super reflective like high polish rings.

Matte Finish

Matte wedding rings produce a very low shine and have a much more subtle final effect. The very lightly textured finish also helps to mask any small abrasions or scratches the ring may pick up over time.

Brushed Finish

Brushed rings are similar to satin finish rings, but boast a slightly different texture that more closely resembles brush strokes.

Combination Finish

Just as it sounds, a combination wedding band is a band that combines two or more metal types. or metal with another material.

Hammered Finish

Hammered wedding rings have a textured finish that looks something like dimples or little dents on the surface of the band.

Sandblasted Finish

Sandblasted rings are perhaps the most unique of the bunch, featuring a special frosted texture that gives off a slight sparkle.

Textured Finish

There are many ways of adding texture to a ring’s surface other than the ones mentioned above. Machine turning can produce all sorts of patterns including grooves, striations, bark-like finish, and any type of engraving to produce a pattern.

Determine Your Size

You need a ring that fits properly because you are going to wear it 24/7 365.

You can easily determine the size of your ring finger by using a printout ring sizer at home or alternatively asking your jeweler to do it in-store to ensure professional accuracy. You don’t need us to tell you that getting the correct ring size is just as important as getting all of the various design elements of a wedding ring correct. After all, if it doesn’t fit, then it doesn’t matter how great it looks in the box!

Also in the category of size is deciding on a regular or comfortable fit. In a comfortable fit ring, the interior is domed, giving it a slightly rounded curve as opposed to the regular fit which is flat. the shape is designed to make the ring easier to slide over the knuckle and provide a better sit on the finger.

You might pay an extra premium for a comfort ring and also bear in mind that comfort fit rings are more difficult to resize than regular fit rings.

All this can be a lot to think about but the most important thing is to get a ring you love. It should look good and fit well, but above all, you should be proud to wear it.