Engagement rings for men: Proposing to your Fiancé with the right ring

When you hear the term ‘engagement rings‘, it is likely that your first thought is a romantic proposal to a woman. However, the engagement scene is changing as gender roles are flipped and same-sex marriage becomes legalised. Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly more common for men to be proposed to and gifted their very own engagement ring.

So the question remains, what men’s engagement ring is perfect for your fiancé? Luckily, we’re here to walk you through the history of men’s engagement rings and how to choose the ring that fits his exacting standards. Style, symbolism and ring size all need to be considered as you choose the one ring that shows your devotion to him and your future together.

 

A Brief History of Men’s Engagement Rings

While in the West engagement rings have firmly set their history in the roots of womanhood, that does not mean that men’s engagement and wedding rings have not existed throughout history. Men’s engagement rings were heavily advertised in the 1920s, with ‘masculine’ names like “Stag” or the “master” being used to push the product.

Despite this extensive advertising, the trend never took off. This gap in marital symbolism was left unfulfilled to the extent that men’s wedding rings only became a tradition in the 1940s or 50s. However, modern marriage dynamics place more emphasis on defying gender norms, while simultaneously encouraging equal relationships. This has led to men’s engagement rings becoming an increasingly popular concept for newlyweds as the coveted engagement ring becomes a symbol of a man’s devotion to his partner.

 

What it Means to Have Engagement Rings for Men

Although several cultures have included proposing or gifting engagement rings to men throughout history, this practice has only recently come into trend within Western culture. This is mainly due to the significant steps modern society has taken to promote inclusivity and equality in relationships, even as patriarchal norms are deconstructed.

This existence of men’s engagement rings means a lot of things beyond the surface concept of showing devotion to a partner. For those in same-sex relationships, a men’s engagement ring was a concept many thought they would never see in their lifetime. Yet, as same-sex marriage continues to become legalised across the globe, these rings are proof that same-sex rights to marriage have been fought and successfully won. For many, a men’s engagement ring or wedding band is a sign of freedom and equality.

Men’s engagement rings are not just restricted to those in same-sex relationships. While women have always been taken off the market by a shiny piece of jewellery on their ring finger, men did not have the same promise on their hands until recently. The perfect engagement ring does not have to be the flashiest piece of jewellery, but rather a clear symbol of your devotion to one another. With it becoming more common for women to propose to men, the former finally has a chance to ask for the same level of faithfulness to be shown in their partner; to show their level of devotion to one another.

The exact meaning of men’s wedding rings and engagement rings often depends entirely on what a couple wants to say to each other, but their increasing prevalence in Western culture says a lot about changing gender roles and inclusivity.

 

Reasons Why Men Choose to Wear an Engagement Ring

There are plenty of reasons why a man will want to display his commitment to his partner in the form of a stunning platinum or timeless yellow gold engagement ring. While there are those wanting to make a statement with a ring of precious metal, there are plenty of other more personal reasons for men to have an engagement band before their wedding ring.

 

Commitment

Previously, signs of an engagement were entirely one-sided, with the woman holding the only evidence of the promise on their ring finger. Nowadays, men wish to join in this tradition, indicating they are spoken for with the understated yet powerful presence of an engagement ring.

 

Equality & Tradition Breaking

Tradition dictates that an engagement involves a man proposing to a woman. In modern society, however, many find this tradition lacking in equality and inclusivity alike.

There is an increasing amount of women who want to step up in terms of showing commitment by dropping to one knee. They hope to take charge of their love life by taking the first step to guaranteeing a future together with their partner. Alternatively, some couples are sharing the engagement duties by taking turns proposing, sometimes on different days and with different set-ups. Showing this equal level of commitment not only breaks traditions but also sets the foundation for a balanced marriage.

Meanwhile, male same-sex couples defy the traditional heteronormative proposal arrangement no matter what they do. Therefore, having engagement rings made just for men allows them to finally realise their dream of having a legally-recognised marriage – while also making the ring-seeking journey a lot easier than ever before.

 

Fashion

Sometimes, women are not the only ones who enjoy showing off precious metals and gemstones. Many men enjoy showcasing their relationship even before the wedding day, whether that is because they want to show their commitment, or just want to add a newly fashionable piece to their existing jewellery sets. Either way, the stunning collection of men’s engagement rings that are available on the market right now are sure to set apart the fashionable from the less inspired.

 

Symbolism

For many men, the wedding day does not come soon enough to showcase their commitment and love for their partner. Although men’s wedding bands are often carefully crafted to symbolise the choice of marriage, many find this insufficient when they have already dedicated themselves to their partner even before the ceremony. An engagement ring is thus necessary to symbolise a man’s dedication to his partner, even before it is legally recognised.

 

How to Wear a Men’s Engagement Ring

Much like a woman’s engagement ring, a men’s band is generally worn on the ring finger. The exact hand depends on your culture or what tradition you follow, as many leave it on the left as a placeholder for a wedding ring or the beginning of a stack, while others wear it on the right to leave space for the wedding ring on the left.

In the end, the choice of how to wear a men’s engagement ring depends on what makes you comfortable. For some, this may even mean removing the engagement band entirely to wear around the neck on a chain. If you are concerned about following local customs, do not hesitate to ask your local jeweller for advice; they are, after all, the experts on the matter of engagements.

 

Choosing the Right Ring for Him

Choosing a timeless engagement ring for the man in your love life can be daunting on the first approach. The market is still fairly new, making engagement rings harder to pick from than wedding bands as trends come and go rapidly. That is why this guide will provide you with different requirements to consider to help you choose the right ring for him.

Size

The first step to choosing an engagement or wedding ring, regardless of your partner’s gender, is determining the necessary ring width. The wrong ring size could spell disaster so make sure you have measured your finacé-to-be’s finger size as accurately as possible.and/or make sure you choose a design that can be resized.

 

 

Environment

Much like wedding rings, those made for an engagement need to be able to weather the wear-and-tear of time and environmental factors. The style and material of your chosen ring should match the requirements of your finacé’s lifestyle. For example, keep in mind his line of employment. A job that requires a lot of hands-on work means that your choice of men’s rings needs to be incredibly sturdy and potentially lacking in extreme embellishments to prevent any damage to the jewellery. Your partner would not want to damage any precious gemstones or tarnish their rose gold band on their first day wearing it at work.

If your partner works in a particularly physically trying field, you may want to think about the durabilty of the design, gemstones and the precious metal used in the band,

 

Comfort and Style

When buying jewellery for anyone, regardless of gender or occasion, their personal style and comfort levels should be factored into your choice of rings. For men’s rings, most are carefully crafted to have a masculine approach without being too overbearing. However, men’s diamond rings exist for those who like a more refined look or wish to stick with traditions. It is important to not just go for the popular choice, but rather think of what styles suit your partner, even as their comfort is considered.

For those with more physically-demanding or hands-on jobs, they may be more comfortable choosing a ring made of brushed steel or with a satin look. This disguises the marks of time and wear from being particularly noticeable, even with the rougher jobs still coming in. Regardless of trending styles or the push for expensive choices, your groom-to-be should feel comfortable and proud of his engagement ring.

 

Popular Types of Men’s Engagement Rings

Maybe your partner has the right kind of hand for a delicate solitaire ring, but not every man is interested in such delicate designs. Fortunately, men’s engagement rings are becoming a popular trend in the jewellery world, leading to more design types and materials that could be the right fit for your partner.

 

Diamonds

Diamonds aren’t just a girl’s best friend, they can be a man’s too if set in a classy engagement ring. While most engagement rings made for women have a range of diamond-centric designs, especially those featuring diamonds as the main centrepiece, men’s designs are often far more subtle.

Often inset in platinum or stronger types of gold, the diamonds in men’s engagement rings are usually of the smaller variety. This is commonly referred to as a pavé style ring, which uses delicate intricacy to create a subtle image of beauty. If your partner is interested in making their engagement ring extra special to match their wedding ring, then diamonds may be the way to go.

 

Stainless Steel

Due to the popularity of gold wedding rings, many people prefer that their engagement ring is made out of a contrasting metal to make it stand out, even when it is on the same finger. That is why stainless steel is a common material used for men’s engagement rings as the silver-coloured metal can highlight the shine of all gold wedding rings.

Additionally, stainless steel is a good choice for ring material as it is hypoallergic and difficult to damage, making it a suitable choice for anyone, regardless of their lifestyle.

 

Tungsten

One of the best choices for those with an active lifestyle, tungsten is both resilient and scratch resistant, all the while looking striking when made into a ring. Its popularity also lies in its affordability, as it is more cost-effective than platinum or gold.

Your partner may be interested in a tungsten ring due to its range of colours. Further distinguishing itself from various types of popular precious metals, tungsten is available in grey, white and black. This affords a choice of colouration and, when combined with the metal’s capability to be combined with other materials, allows for more creative and modern designs to be explored.

 

Gold

Although gold wedding rings are the popular choice for most couples, the material’s popularity does not just end there. Men’s engagement rings are also often crafted in gold styles, ranging from classic yet simple bands, to more elegant designs full of glittering stones. The softer material also allows for the precious metal to be heightened through subtle detailing work like hammered textures, two-tone metals, or even personalised engravings.

Gold rings suit almost anyone and can be worn with other jewellery like wedding rings, making it an easy choice for most people looking to tie the knot.

 

Platinum

Similar in colouration to white gold, platinum has become an increasingly popular choice for a men’s engagement band due to its numerous excellent qualities. It is a dense metal which means it is strong and durable, while also being hypoallergic like stainless steel. However, the shining white hue makes it stand out from most ring material styles out there. For those men who like a bit more opulence in their rings, you should choose from the platinum range at your local store.

 

Non-Metal

Breaking away from traditional choices, men’s engagement rings also come nowadays in non-metal materials. These choices can often appear more modern than classic yellow gold or sterling silver, standing out in any crowd through their unique cuts and colourations.

Wood seems to be the most popular out of these alternate styles, with the rich warm colouration making an excellent contrast to any choice of elegant wedding rings. However, options become more interesting with the inclusion of materials like opal or silicone, which are as unique as they are stunning. For those men who love a break away from classic designs, a non-metal option may be best.

 

Meteorite

This is perhaps one of the most unique choices for engagement band material out there, but meteorite has quickly become a favourite choice for several men across the world. While it is slightly trickier to find a meteorite range at your local jewellery store, the search is well paid off by the unique factor of having a piece of jewellery from outer space.

A meteorite band has natural etchings and patterns that highlight the material’s inner beauty. Every ring is unique when it is made from this metal, which is sure to make your loved one feel extra special when you propose to them.

 

Titanium

Titanium may be a bit more prone to scratches when compared to some of the other choices on this list, but that does not make it a less popular choice for men’s engagement rings. The lightweight metal looks great on anyone and can be worn by those with more sensitive skin.

Since it is not considered a precious metal, titanium rings come at more affordable prices than most materials used in an engagement band. The money you can save on this metal choice can be better put towards the actual wedding day if you so choose.

 

Custom Designed

If the current market is not fulfilling your dream proposal ideas, why not try designing your own ring? With custom design services from a trusted jeweller, you can create an engagement band that says everything you want to say about your partner and your love for them.

Pick out a style they will love in a material that suits their lifestyle. You can even design it with their wedding ring in mind, creating a matching pair that will fit perfectly together. Regardless of what you have in mind, your jeweller is sure to fulfil your greatest engagement desires.

How to Propose with an Engagement Ring

Once you have chosen the engagement ring your finacé will love, it is time to propose! Do not let society and traditions hold you back, go all out in the set-up leading up to revealing the beautiful ring you chose just for him.

Pick a meaningful location or date, set the mood for the scene, and then let your heart pour out. Regardless of who is making the proposal or accepting the ring, getting engaged is all about affirming that you want to spend the rest of your lives with each other. Proposing to a man should be no different from a proposal to a woman, so do not hesitate to showcase how much he means to you, no matter who is watching!

FAQs

Do Men’s Engagement Rings Need Diamonds?

While it is not unusual to have a glittery diamond or two on a woman’s engagement ring, can the same be said about a man’s? The verdict says yes, you can choose a ring with as many diamonds as you like for your fiancé, but you do not need to. If he is not the type to wear a rock in his band, then make sure to choose something that might be less classic and more modern in design.

Does it Matter What Kind of Diamond is Used in a Man’s Engagement Ring?

It does not matter what kind of diamond is used in a man’s wedding ring, so long as it is the kind of jewellery he loves. While some people enjoy a high-grade diamond with perfect clarity and an expensive cut, not everyone likes such a statement piece in their engagement band.

If you are unsure of what kind of style your partner likes or if he wants a specific kind of diamond in his band, you can bring him to a local shop, or just shop online, to peruse the range of diamond rings there.

How Much Should a Men’s Engagement Ring Cost?

There is a general 2-month rule when it comes to the price of engagement rings that can also apply to men. Regardless of the style or material choice, a ring should cost around 2 months of your salary. Meaning, if you are making $80,000 per year, you should spend around $13,000 on the ring for your fiancé to be.

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