Requests for men’s engagement rings are on the rise, a trend that’s surfaced due to more same-sex couples and an increase in marriage proposals from women. With UK celebrities such as Michael Buble and Ed Sheerdan showing off their own engagement rings, males no longer need to wait for the big day to wear some beautiful jewellery.
Men are proud to be engaged, too, and a ring is a meaningful way to mark their upcoming commitment. Because buying a ring for a man can be just as confusing as buying one for a woman, we’ve put together a guide, complete with questions you should ask before buying a man’s wedding ring or engagement ring.
What width does he need?
Ring widths range from slim (4mm) to medium (6mm) to wide (8mm), with more varied points of measurement in between. If you’re not sure which size to choose, there is a generalised rule that the thicker or longer the fingers, the wider the ring should be. You might also want to bear in mind that wider rings are usually more expensive.
What metal would he like?
The metal you choose is one of the biggest defining points of the ring’s aesthetics. The good thing is, available materials are limited and you’ll only need to make the decision between white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, palladium and platinum, or the lower value titanium or stainless steel. Things do get a bit more complex when you discover you can combine various materials for a two-tone ring.
To help you decide, consider whether you want a precious metal or something cheaper. What type of job does he do? What other jewellery or watch does he currently wear?
Our advice leans towards choosing a precious ring. As time goes by, the physicality of your finger changes and your jewellery might require re-sizing, which is difficult (and often impossible!) with cheaper metal rings.
How can you get the size right?
Possibly the most stressful part of buying a ring for someone else is making sure you get the size right. The romance of a proposal gets a little undermined when a ring won’t fit on the finger! Our finger size guide has some tips you should keep in mind, but try to bring one of his existing rings along with you if you’re keeping your ring purchase a secret. Do remember to go up half a size if you’re opting for a wider band, which tends to deliver a snugger fit.
What finish and style would suit him?
Now, we’re getting into the aesthetics of the ring, which is where the groom-to-be’s unique personality comes into play.
Some of the classic men’s rings we have available at Joseph George include:
- Comfort wedding ring
- Flat bevelled
- Flat wedding ring
- High curve round edge
- High dome
- Softly curved
- Curved knife edge
- Barrel shape
Once you’ve finalised the style, you’ll need to move onto the finish or polish of the piece, with high-polished, matte and a combination of the two being the main contenders here.
You can create custom men’s rings for weddings and engagements or choose a design already created. Give us a call on 03 9654 4899 to book an appointment.
