Now that the female ring finger is taken care of, it is time to choose a men’s wedding band for the groom to wear after the vow exchange. It is the undervalued cousin of the bride’s beautiful engagement ring and often the last thing the groom thinks about.
Assuming he is not a regular wearer of rings it can be tough to find something that he will wear for years to come. A groom should think long and hard about what wedding band he will put on his finger since it is the only piece of jewelry many men will always wear.
Unique Men’s Wedding Bands
To help you in your quest for a unique and manly wedding band we explore the different wedding band materials, styles, and designs available to the groom and give you stunning men’s wedding ring inspiration to help you narrow your selection.
Gold Men’s Wedding Bands
Silver Men’s Wedding Rings
Black Tungsten Men’s Rings
Wood Men’s Wedding Rings
Variety of Unique Men’s Wedding Bands
Titanium Carbide Men’s Rings
Wedding Bands Metals & Materials with Prices
Educating yourself about the different metals is the first step in finding the perfect wedding band. There are many different metals on the market right now and a simple choice between a white gold or gold men’s wedding band is long gone.
This might have been true before so many alternative metals were introduced, but finding the right metal that fits your needs requires some more research.
When purchasing men’s wedding bands it is important that you take the material of the ring into account. Certain materials possess properties that make them ideal for men in certain careers while others offer a more traditional look. In addition to traditional precious metals, such as silver and platinum, here are some of the other metals you may want to consider.
Silver Mens Wedding Bands
The most traditional and longest standing metal used for the wedding band is sterling silver. Silver is a softer metal than gold, titanium, tungsten, and platinum and does not have the hardness that the other metals do.
It is popular within jewelry as it is very malleable and one of the most inexpensive precious metals. The downside of silver wedding bands is that it scratches more easily and it will tarnish over time. Silver is also mostly worn occasionally and is not generally recommended for everyday wear over an extended period of time.
Average price silver starting from $80
Gold Mens Wedding Bands
Gold is still the most popular choice of metal used for men’s wedding bands due to the increasing value of the ring as well as the fact that gold does not rust. Gold is soft, dense and the most malleable pure metal out there. When using pure gold for wedding bands they offer a very attractive shine and bright color.
The things to consider when choosing a gold men’s wedding band is the carat and color to choose. The most commonly used carats for wedding bands are 9k, 14k and 18k and the rule is: the higher the proportion of gold used the more valuable the ring will be.
The most popular colors for a wedding band are yellow gold, followed by white gold and rose gold though other gold colors like bronze, red and lime gold are sometimes used.
Average price gold ring starting from $150 (9k) to $400 (22k)
Platinum Mens Wedding Bands
Platinum’s popularity as men’s wedding bands has increased over the past years due to its high value and its durability. Platinum has a silver-white color, but unlike gold, jewelers use 95% of its pure form.
Platinum is a very dense, heavy metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18ct gold ring. Not only the weight is twice as big but the price is also significantly more expensive than gold.
All other things being the same, a platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18k white gold ring and the selection of platinum wedding bands for men is generally smaller than gold or titanium rings.
Average price platinum ring starting from $750 (standard 4mm sized band)
Titanium Mens Wedding Bands
Titanium among the hardest natural metals in the world and lasts forever, even when worn daily. The popularity of titanium wedding bands for men is due to this durability, its lightweight, low maintenance and the reasonable price.
Titanium is normally greyer in color but offered in a wide array of colors. Pure titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic and, therefore, safe for anyone to wear as it will not react to your skin. One factor to consider with titanium is that titanium cannot be soldered, which means that titanium rings cannot normally be resized.
Average price titanium ring starting from $80
Tungsten Men’s Wedding Bands
Tungsten wedding bands for men have become popular due to their durability and strength. Rings made of this metal are the most scratch resistant in the world and do not bend, making them ideal for any man who works with their hands. Tungsten has a grey-white color, similar to that of white gold or titanium.
Tungsten rings also have a permanent polish which makes them look new, bright and shiny. They don’t need to be repolished, which is another advantage over other metals. Tungsten is less expensive than gold and platinum and is comparable in price to titanium. One problem that some people find with these rings is the weight since it is very heavy and it cannot be resized.
Average price tungsten ring starting from $100
Cobalt Mens Wedding Bands
Compared to tungsten and titanium, cobalt chrome is one of the newest alternative metals. In its natural state, cobalt has been used to provide a deep blue pigment to jewelry.
However, when used in cobalt in men’s wedding bands, the color of cobalt is more similar to that of white gold or platinum. It is one of the lighter metals, yet very strong which makes it highly resistant to scratching and wear. Cobalt is very malleable and can be worked into a vast array of unique styles.
Average price cobalt ring starting from $100
Stainless Steel Wedding Bands
Stainless steel wedding bands for men are not as common as other metal rings. While certainly not a new metal, stainless steel is becoming a more popular choice for men who want a durable and affordable men’s wedding band.
The benefit of stainless steel is that you do not have to worry about smudges or stains on the metal and it, therefore, has fairly low maintenance which makes it more appealing to men.
Average price stainless steel ring starting from $40
Other Unique Wedding Bands Materials
Here some other trending and upcoming materials that are being used now to create unique rings that guys rock at their wedding.
Palladium Wedding Bands
Palladium is a white precious metal and part of the platinum group of metals, popular for its natural white color which does not tarnish. Similar to platinum, palladium won’t tarnish, is very flexible, and is hypoallergenic, but palladium’s lower density makes it less costly. It has a darker, grayer tone than platinum.
Ceramic Wedding Bands
Ceramic is very cost-effective and durable. One of the ceramic’s best features is the shine and glossy finish a ceramic men’s wedding band will have when polished.
This contemporary material is often said to have the best qualities of both titanium and tungsten carbide: it’s lightweight, scratch-resistant and largely crack-resistant. Ceramic rings offer a unique yet versatile alternative to standard metallics.
Wood Wedding Bands
Wood, either on its own or combined with other metals, such as gold or platinum, polished wood can be crafted into a stunning wooden wedding band for men. The downsides are that it is far more vulnerable to damage and destruction than a metal ring, it has no intrinsic value and is difficult to clean.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Band
Men often find the process of choosing a wedding band quite daunting and we’ve seen that they often jump right to finding a fitting design. However, the jewelry terminology can be from another world and the seemingly endless range of rings can make it hard to know where to start and what design to choose.
Considering some other important factors than design will simply help you narrow down the selection of men’s wedding bands you will be looking for.
It is important you know what to look for since you will be wearing your wedding band for a lifetime. It is appropriate to choose a ring that fits your lifestyle, personality, is comfortable to wear and fits within the budget. For those seeking a traditional metal: platinum, gold, and palladium are always timeless choices.
When looking for an alternative material that offers superior strength then consider titanium, tungsten, palladium or ceramic. Do you prefer a classic white metal look at a contemporary price than cobalt chrome, silver, and white tungsten rings are perfect options?
If you’re looking to save, check out stainless steel or wood, but if it’s a luxury you want, diamonds are an ideal finishing touch to any band.
Finding a comfortable Wedding Band
Many men are mainly concerned that a wedding band will not be comfortable to wear but they can be if you know what you are looking for. The most important factor is the shape of the ring and secondly the width of the men’s wedding band.
The shape of the Wedding Band
The shape determines how comfortable the ring will feel around your finger. There are various factors and options to take into considerations when looking for the perfectly shaped wedding bands:
- People prefer Softly rounded edges over sharp angular edges
- Gently curved edges on the inside will make the ring feel more comfortable
- A soft fit wedding band has softly curved edges though not completely curbed inside the surface of the ring
- A comfort curve ring features curves on the inside of the band, rather than having a more flat surface on the inside of the ring.
The width of the Wedding Band
When considering the width of the wedding band for your men, factors to consider are pretty much the size and length of your fingers. Men’s wedding rings are usually wider than a ladies’ wedding ring and most men choose a wedding bandwidth of between 5mm and 7mm.
Often men with larger hands or longer fingers choose a slightly wider band. Men with smaller hands or tender fingers tend to choose a 5mm ring or a slightly narrower ring.
Men’s Wedding Band Styles
The ‘No Fuss’ Guy
The classic gold wedding ring may appeal to the no-fuss kind of guy, nothing too chi-chi for him. Though there are many types of simple rings, the width and shape of the ring can make men’s wedding bands look quite different. Simple metal wedding bands for the simple guy and there are plenty of those out there as you have seen from above.
The ‘Gemstone’ Groom
You might not consider it but it is acceptable for a men’s wedding ring to include gemstones in a wedding band. You should consider the type of work that you do and the sports you play if considering gemstones.
Gemstone settings, like the morganite ring or opal ring, can be affected and the risk of a gemstone being lost will be increased if the ring is knocked around through manual labor, sporting activities or any kind of rough contact.
The ‘Tough Cookie’ Type
When considering heavier lifestyle factors and ring designs you should note that a woven, puzzle or heavily patterned ring could be damaged while playing a sport or in environments where manual labor with your hands is more prominent.
Heavy rings like palladium, cobalt, tungsten or stainless steel rings might be more appropriate. You can make them unique by customized patterns; two-tone ring with a combination of metal types, woven or wavering styles.
The ‘Metro’ Men
Traditionally men preferred simple gold wedding bands to symbolize their love. Though over the last 15 years men have increasingly been moving away from the traditional gold wedding ring towards something a little different.
More eccentric types of ring styles include rose gold, platinum or titanium; rings with inlay stripes or ribbed edges and of course the creme de la creme for the metro men; men’s wedding bands with diamonds.
Men’s Wedding Bands Cleaning & Care
You should note that, except for tungsten wedding bands, metals will scratch. Never use a toothbrush to just your band unless if you are asking for scratch marks to come all over it.
Many of us have made that mistake, so to prevent that happening we have provided a couple of quick solutions for at-home care rather than going out of your way to the jeweler.
These tips include all gold, platinum, silver, and titanium. Titanium and platinum are more scratch-resistant than gold and silver though they will still scratch eventually- it’s just a part of wearing them. However, you can always keep them shining by polishing them with a soft cloth or by having it done by your local jeweler. We suggest that you polish these rings every 12 months.
Caring Tips for your Rings
At-home care for your wedding bands is actually quite simple. Below you will see some tips that are easy, affordable, and will maintain that sparkle just as bright as the day you bought them.
- Make a homemade solution of warm water and a mild dish soap. Prepare a little bowl away from the sink. Gently apply the soapy solution to the wedding bands using a soft cloth, rinse, and pat dry with another soft cloth. Leave to dry far away from the sink.
- There are a number of well-performing store-bought cleaners like Tarn-X and Brasso. Before applying, always make sure to double-check if the jewelry material has any special requirements. If you are unsure, you should ask a jeweler, we want to stay away from causing any kind of damage to our bands.
- In addition to cleaning we also want to remind you that you should not expose your bands to harsh chemicals and are best left off when performing physically exerting tasks like jumping in a pool or hot tub.
FAQ about Mens Wedding Bands
A lot of readers email us asking us for much-needed advice and questions on wedding bands and rings for me. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions for you below so you do not have to go through the hassle of emailing us! You’re very much welcome.
Who buys the man’s wedding band?
How much should a men’s wedding band cost?
What is the most popular men’s wedding band?
What is the toughest men’s wedding band?
Buying your Wedding Rings
Like mentioned above, Ring to Perfection wants you to stay out of the dog house so let’s try to make sure we maintain our beautiful unique bands, as the saying goes, “happy wife- happy life” damaging, losing, misplacing, or any high-risk factors to your bands could potentially jeopardize your happy wife temporarily, a big no-no.
If you really are looking to go full-out and accessorize yourself for any big day, make sure to have a look at these unique watches for men and other accessories to accompany your new ring!
Which of these rings was your favorite? Did you purchase it? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
Hey Fashion Enthusiasts! My wife Chantal and I, have been so fortunate to be able to share our latest inspiration and trends in the jewelry and accessory industry, and more so, to get this amazing feedback from our ever growing community. Where my wife focusses more on all things rings, weddings and female jewelry, I love to scoop out the newest accessories for men. I roam around the world to find the latest watches, bags, sunglasses, scarfs, wallets, you name it and I’ll deliver! I always commit to doing a lot of research to share my reviews and personalized advice on this blog or on our store. If you do not know what to wear, send me an email and I will help you out!
Jack Henry
Wow, I must appreciate your fantastic guide about wearing jewellery for men’s. There are many fashion jewellery for men are which are too stylish & people are also choosing them for a cool get up. Well, I would say that stainless steel jewellery is actually now on-trend because all youngsters follow this jewellery as the want. I also bought a stainless steel biker ring from “zuobisijewelry” which has a great stylish looking matter & this really suits me.