Traditionally, men do not wear engagement rings. However, as culture and modern trends evolve, many men are now choosing to wear engagement rings in addition to their partner wearing one too. According to an article by the BBC in 2024, the number of males wearing engagement rings during the engagement period has increased.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the old traditions, new traditions, and engagement ring styles that men are gravitating to today.
Engagement Ring Traditions
The first rings exchanged date all the way back to Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greece. While these cultures did not have diamond engagement rings, their rings were made of stone, bone, bronze, or ivory. At this time, there were no engagement rings, but mainly wedding bands.
It wasn’t always a sign of love either. Marriages were arranged back in these times. Giving a woman a ring showed everyone that you were claiming her, more so like a business proposal rather than an outpouring of love.
Evidence of people wearing rings made of gold were found in the ruins of Pompeii in 79 CE. At home, people would wear rings made of iron, but gold bands were worn when outside the home.
Around 850, Pope Nicholas I gave the first betrothal ring recorded in history. By this time, all wedding bands were being made in gold to signify the financial commitment of taking care of their wife.
It still didn’t have a diamond at the center, but it was the first ring given before the marriage ceremony happened, not after. All rings exchanged up to this point happened during the ceremony as wedding bands.
The first diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria as a sign of intention to wed Mary of Burgundy. This diamond engagement ring still didn’t look like the ones we see today. Instead of a diamond center stone, Mary’s ring was a band with small diamonds arranged in the shape of an M.
Engagement Ring vs Wedding Ring
Sometimes people use the terms engagement ring and wedding ring interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Wedding rings and wedding bands are traditionally exchanged at the marriage ceremony. An engagement ring is given as a sign of intention to marry. It symbolizes the engagement period leading up to the wedding date.
Some people may opt to only have one ring, or use their engagement ring as their wedding ring. The choice is up to personal preference. Tradition shows us that the wedding ring is usually a band that is worn closest to the heart with the engagement ring above it.
While exchanging wedding rings between a man and woman dates back to ancient civilizations, it wasn’t until World War II that men began wearing wedding bands regularly. Men heading off to war wore wedding rings to remind them of their wives and families back home.
The engagement ring usually features a center stone and may have additional smaller stones in the setting. Wedding bands are typically thinner and flat.
What Kinds of Rings do Men Wear?
Though men’s engagement rings didn’t strike gold right away, men have always gravitated toward rings as a symbol of accomplishment or as a fashion accessory. Here are a few types of rings that have been trendy for men over generations.
Signet Rings
The use of signet rings for men dates back thousands of years. They were first meant to be used for stamps and seals. The signet ring was used as a signature in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.
Signet rings evolved during the Renaissance and Victorian eras, and so did their styles. The wealthy wore signet rings that often had engravings representing themselves, such as initials or a family crest. Most signet rings were made of gold and some even had colored gemstones in them.
Today, signet rings are worn as men’s fashion rings. They make an excellent statement piece and are usually worn on the middle or fourth ring finger on either hand.
Spinner Rings
Spinner rings are rings with an inner band that is moveable while the rest of the band stays stationary. The use of spinner rings goes back to early Buddhist practices. Also known as “prayer wheels” or meditation rings, the spinner ring was used in Tibetan culture to aid in meditation practices. It was believed to help concentration and reverence during prayer.
Spinner rings aren’t exclusive to men, but are featured as a style for men’s rings because of the width and look. They aren’t usually crafted in precious metals like gold or platinum. You are likely to find them in stainless steel, titanium, or other types of metals.
Spinner rings come in all different types of designs and styles. Some may have chain or other inlays. Today, spinner rings are often chosen because they help those with anxiety or ADHD. Spinning the inner part of the ring can help calm or soothe those overwhelmed in the moment.
Championship Rings
Most men who watch sports are familiar with championship rings awarded to sports teams for winning. The first championship rings were believed to have been given in the 19th century to the Boston Beaneaters in 1833. You probably know this team as the Atlanta Braves today.
Initially, sports championship rings started modestly with few details. It wasn’t until around 1922 that championships became similar to what they are today. The first team to receive the fancier sports rings was the New York Giants in the NFL championship.
A championship ring usually includes the name of the team, sports league, and the year won. Most rings include gemstones that represent the team colors as well as diamonds for extra sparkle.
Engagement Ring Styles for Men, Women, and Non-Binary Ring Shoppers
There are many engagement ring styles perfect for those looking for men’s rings or unisex styled engagement rings. Engagement rings and fine jewelry have no gender, but some styles may be considered more masculine than other dainty engagement rings.
A men’s engagement ring may look just like a women’s engagement ring, depending on taste and preference. A men’s engagement ring can also look bolder, similar to a signet ring. They can feature a large central gem with wide sides.
Men’s Gold or Platinum Engagement Rings
If you’re looking for men’s engagement ring styles, there are many ways to go about it. Start with the metal you like most. Most engagement rings are crafted in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum. If you want gemstones in your ring, we recommend sticking to these precious metals instead of other ring metals. Gold and platinum are more malleable, making it easier to set and repair if needed.
Platinum has more density than gold, which gives it more weight. Platinum is also more valuable than gold and is usually more expensive than 14K or 18K gold rings. However, platinum is more durable and is naturally white, unlike white gold.
Wide or Thin Band?
Most men’s bands have a bigger width, but you should choose the width that you feel most comfortable with. If you’re wanting lots of details and engravings, you may want a wider band. Remember that wider bands fit tighter than traditionally thin engagement rings.
Bezel Engagement Rings for Men
Bezel set engagement rings are popular with men. A bezel set ring has a rim of metal that secures the stone inside the band. Bezel settings are great for providing extra protection and a lower profile. This is ideal for gemstones like emeralds, garnets, and topaz-all of which have a lower scratch resistance than diamonds.
Plain and Engraved Engagement Rings for Men
Some men don’t want stones in their engagement rings at all. These rings may feature high polished metal with small ring details, such as satin finishing or beveled edges. A satin finish is done by applying abrasives to the metal to give a grainy look without the roughness. Engraved engagement rings may have personal engravings or have etchings in the design, such as vines or ornate details.
Channel Set Bands as Engagement Rings for Men
Most men that wear engagement rings select a flat band rather than one with a raised center stone. You may find these types of rings classified as men’s wedding bands, but there’s no rule that says they can’t be used as engagement rings.
Channel-set rings have a groove cut out in the metal band. Diamonds or other gemstones are set down in the channel with minimal space between. Princess cut diamonds or round cut diamonds are used more often in these styles. They are set flush to the band, which is better for those who are harder on their hands.
Pave Engagement Rings for Men
Pave rings are another diamond ring style favored by men in particular. They are a flashy fashion statement often favored by the wealthy. Pave is French for “paved road”, which describes the look of tiny diamonds set close together on a ring. Pave settings have different variations such as scalloped, micro-pave, and French pave.
However, all pave rings have small diamonds set closely together without any metal between them. You can see pave diamonds on many luxury watches, pendants, and rings worn by various celebrities and entertainers. Some pave styles feature over 100 small diamonds in them.
Conclusion
It has been more traditional for men to wear wedding bands, but the idea of men’s engagement rings have become increasingly popular. Younger generations are finding themselves less concerned with gender norms and are paving the way for gender equality across all types of relationship styles.
Couples are giving engagement rings to each other rather than just one partner wearing one. Some men prefer to wear wider, flatter bands similar to what you’d see in the men’s section of the jewelry store. Other men may prefer a raise center stone and a dainty band.
Whatever your style is, AW Jewelry is more than happy to create the men’s engagement ring you’ve always wanted, right down to the exact detail. Bring in your own ideas or look to us for inspiration. Contact us today to start the custom process today!
