Men don’t always have a lot of alternatives when it comes to wedding bands. Typically, they are limited to choosing between one or two men’s wedding band styles crafted from gold, platinum, or even tungsten.
Fortunately, men’s wedding bands are no longer plain and boring. Gone are the days when men had to select a plain gold wedding band. Modern jewelers understand that men want to flaunt their personalities and sense of flair just as much, if not more, as women. Men may now select something more interesting and unique, such as lab grown diamonds wedding bands or a knife-edge wedding band, instead of simply a plain band.
Here is a guide to choosing men’s wedding band styles to help you find the perfect one.
Features to consider when choosing men’s wedding bands
Width
When buying your wedding band, the width is a key factor. Men have more alternatives for engagement rings than women, who often have bands of equal width. The reason is that men have bigger hands, which can vary greatly based on different characteristics such as height and weight.
Thicker wedding bands are more comfortable for men who have bigger hands or work in physically demanding jobs. Wedding rings with a narrower width (1.5 mm-3 mm) function better for guys with smaller hands and fingers.
Thicker wedding bands (6 mm–12 mm) stick out more on the hand since they are larger and more noticeable. For men who don’t usually wear bands, a smaller wedding band can be the best option. It ultimately comes down to your own tastes and the width that you think will be most comfortable for you.
Men’s wedding bands are typically 8 millimeters wide as well. or roughly the same diameter as four nickels piled on top of one another. They can, however, vary from 2 mm to 10 mm.
Metal
Not every metal has the same properties. Even though every metal used to create men’s wedding band styles is made to withstand daily wear and tear, they are all still unique.
Platinum is a highly preferred metal for men’s wedding rings due to its soft white tone, which makes it visually pleasing, as well as its durability.
While not as durable as platinum, men’s wedding bands made of white or yellow gold are still excellent options. Even though they are both constructed entirely of gold, they differ from one another and each has pros and cons.
Men can choose rose gold for their wedding band in addition to the more conventional yellow or white gold. Pure gold and copper are combined to create rose gold. This mixture gives the metal a more reddish-pinkish color. Given its pinkish hue, some even believe rose gold to be the most romantic color.
Stainless steel is an excellent alternative for a low-cost wedding ring since it is unquestionably more economical than other metals like platinum and gold. Stainless steel wedding bands come in limited designs, and resizing the band might be tricky.
Fit
Your wedding band should fit firmly on the finger while still softly sliding over the knuckle (with smooth edges for comfort). Fit is also influenced by the metal you select, particularly in terms of how heavy it feels on your finger. Because of their density, metals like platinum usually feel heavier on the finger.
Finish
After deciding on a metal for the wedding band, next comes the finishing men’s wedding bands come in many different styles to suit your preferences, even though women’s engagement and wedding rings often have the same finish.
High polish: Known for its reflective and glossy surface, high polish is the most commonly used finish for wedding rings. Although it produces a visually appealing effect, polished metals, such as white gold, can scratch easily.
Matte: A matte surface comes out looking flat without luster and reflection.
Satin: A satin finish imparts a smooth and glossy appearance to men’s wedding band types, akin to a high polish. For men who don’t want to draw too much attention to their rings, it reduces flashiness by not reflecting light.
Brush/Cross Satin: Similar to satin finishes, brush/cross finishes lack the ostentatious quality of high-polish finishes. This specific finish has a textured appearance but is not glossy. This cross-hatch finish is an unusual choice for a wedding ring because of its overall appearance, which gives the impression that it was designed for a wire brush.
Sandblasting: This finishing gives the ring a “rough” appearance thanks to an abrasive method; it has no gloss or reflection at all.
The structure
Men’s wedding rings are usually circular, but there are several other structural possibilities. Three structures are used to make men’s wedding band styles:
Dome: Also referred to as a D-shape, a dome structure on a wedding band offers it a rounded look on the outside and edges, which some men find more comfortable.
Flat: A men’s wedding band with a flat form is precisely what it sounds like—a band with straight edges and no curves.
Concave: The reverse of a dome, a concave structure has a center where the surface of the ring folds inward to provide an eye-catching shape.
Detailing
Men’s wedding bands may be made to seem even more amazing by adding extra elements, which will make the piece genuinely distinctive and reflect your personality. Several choices for detailing consist of:
Lab Diamonds: Although they are said to be a girl’s best friend, men can also wear diamonds. Men’s wedding bands often have diamonds that are completely fitted into the band, but women’s engagement and wedding rings typically have diamonds that protrude from the band.
Milgrain: Using tiny metal balls to provide texture and subtle features to rings was a popular technique in the first part of the 20th century, and it’s returning in modern designs.
Carving: Similar to milgrain, carving gives a ring depth and character without using additional jewels. You may have the carving as basic or as complex and elaborate as you like.