While the simple gold band is considered to be the classic wedding ring for men, gold’s natural softness and malleability make it the ideal material for a variety of designs that transcend the ordinary. From intricate styles that bring to mind a bygone age to more minimalist modern bands, there is a veritable wealth of design possibilities when it comes to men’s gold rings. Here are some of the best gold ring designs for men.

Mixed metal designs. Mixed metal or two tone bands are one of the most popular types of gold ring designs for men. Most often seen in a combination of white and yellow gold, these rings have the versatility to pair to nearly any other piece of jewelry that you might wear daily, like a favorite watch or bracelet. Undeniably striking, these wedding bands are also ideal for men who are having a hard time deciding between metal colors.

Alternating finishes. Offering a subtle interplay of texture, alternating finishes on men’s gold rings are an understated yet thoughtful design element. Look for rings that combine brushed and highly polished finishes for a particularly handsome style. Satin finish rings with polished beveled edges also make for a winning combination.

Hammered finish designs. Gold ring designs for men that integrate a hammered finish often have an appealingly handmade and artisan look. These rings are perfect for those who want a wedding ring that seems to have a history or “tell a story.”

Sandblasted designs. Sandblasted or rough finish designs are another great way to add an eye-catching hint of texture to men’s gold rings. This textured finish is decorative yet can add a little bit of masculine toughness to your wedding band.

Milgrain details. Milgrain is a decorative accent composed of many tiny beads. Literally meaning “thousands of grains,” milgrain details can add a touch of sophisticated embellishment to gold ring designs for men without looking overly ornate or fussy. Milgrain accents are typically seen at the edges or as parallel lines down the center of men’s gold rings.

Carved or etched center bands. A carved or etched center design is the perfect way to render the classic gold wedding ring utterly unique. These designs can range from an almost vintage looking carved center to ultra modern alternating notches or grooves, and can be as elaborate or as simple as you like.

When you purchase your gold wedding band, feel free to get creative. These are just some of the many gold ring designs for men currently available. Your wedding band is forever, so you should get one that truly reflects your own personal style and taste.

While some of us don’t think twice about the digit that our wedding band will eventually be resting on, there is an interesting history regarding the wedding ring finger. Around the world and throughout time, people have chosen a particular hand and finger for reasons of tradition, cultural significance, personal preference or religion. Here is a brief history on the variations of the wedding ring finger.

The traditional wedding ring finger is the fourth finger of the left hand. The reason for this was originally derived from the Ancient Roman idea that the vein in this finger, known as the vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”) was connected directly to the heart. This belief has since been disproved, as all fingers have veins that lead to similar places, but the tradition of using this digit as the primary wedding ring finger has held fast. Today many still reference the vena amoris and feel that this finger makes wearing a wedding ring more meaningful.

Despite this predominance, there has been some fluidity as to which finger has been used as the wedding ring finger throughout time and across the world. The Gauls (50 BC-486 AD) would wear their wedding rings on their middle finger. During the 1800s in England, wearing a wedding band on one’s thumb was not uncommon.

In modern cultures around the world there can be some variation as well. In South American countries like Argentina and Brazil, couples will often wear their engagement rings on the fourth finger of the right hand, and switch hands (and sometimes upgrade their bands in the process) once married. This is reversed in the Greek Orthodox tradition, where a bride will wear her ring on her left hand prior to her marriage, switching it to her right after the ceremony.

During modern Jewish ceremonies, the ring is generally placed on the second or index finger, but usually moved to the fourth finger after the ceremony. Due to ancient Roman tradition and factors like religion, people in countries like the Netherlands and Austria often choose to wear their bands permanently on the right hand. In China, couples will wear their wedding rings on opposite hands (i.e. his on the left and hers on the right) as part of an ancient custom.

No matter which finger you choose as your wedding ring finger, the meaning and sentiment behind your band remains the same. To find the perfect addition to your wedding ring finger, check out Mens-Wedding-Rings.com online selection of men’s wedding bands in both traditional and contemporary materials.

With so much to keep track of for an upcoming wedding, traditional etiquette can fall by the wayside and even modern customs can get lost in the frenzied flurry of activity. Some expenses fall to the bride, some to the groom, and some to their respective families. So who buys the wedding bands?

Traditional etiquette dictates that the groom buys the bride’s engagement and wedding rings, and that the bride purchases the groom’s wedding band. While steeped in old custom this is also a romantic gesture that makes each band seem like a gift from one party to the other.

However, in today’s modern world traditional etiquette isn’t always observed, though it doesn’t have to mean that the exchange of rings is any less lovely or sentimental. Sometimes all of the costs fall on the groom, including his own band. This may be because he is the primary earner in the family, or it can be due to the fact that the bride or her family is shouldering the majority of expenses for the wedding.

In the case of couples who are already living together and sharing expenses, the cost of the rings can be split straight down the middle, whether intentionally or simply by default. For these couples, a pragmatic view can rule their purchasing decisions – they figure that their expenses will be shared soon enough, so they might as well get a head start.

The decision of who buys the wedding rings can vary with the cost of the rings themselves. Usually the bride’s engagement ring is the most expensive, followed by her wedding band. The groom’s wedding band tends to be the least expensive ring to purchase, though this depends on the ring – it may be a traditional gold band, a less expensive contemporary material or incorporate luxury elements like diamonds. Because of this, sometimes the groom will buy the bride’s engagement ring and she will buy both his and her wedding bands.

In some cases, couples end up using one or more rings that have been handed down through their families. In this event, since purchasing the ring or rings was a non-issue, a nice gesture is to show some token of appreciation to the family member who passed it down. If using an element from a gift ring – like a diamond, gemstone or the upcycling the material of the band itself to use for a new ring – the debate starts anew as to who will pay for a new setting or a band made from old materials.

In terms of choosing the actual designs of the bands, there is even more variation. Some grooms surprise their brides with a ring, some get her to pick one out in advance, some design their bride’s engagement ring and some use a placeholder and have her pick her own ring out once officially engaged. In most cases, the bride and the groom will pick out his wedding band together once it gets closer to the wedding date.

Ultimately, the choice of who buys the wedding bands is a personal and individual one. Whatever makes you and your betrothed most comfortable and works for your particular financial circumstances is always the right decision.

In just a few short years the Mens-Wedding-Rings.com blog has covered a considerable amount of topics, from ring metal types to online shopping tips to modern trends in men’s rings. Some of these articles you may have never read, and some just warrant a second look. Here is a sampling of our greatest hits.

How to Get a Man Who Hates to Shop to Look at Rings – Shop Online For Men’s Wedding Bands!

Why is shopping so hard for men when it comes so naturally to women? This light-hearted primer takes a practical approach to helping women help their men shop online for men’s wedding rings.

What are the Different Metals For Men’s Wedding Bands and The Ultimate Men’s Wedding Band Metals Comparison

Both of these blog articles examine the different types of metals used in men’s wedding rings, as well as their individual benefits. A must-read for those trying to decide between metal types for their wedding band.

How to Choose Men’s Gold Wedding Rings

While men’s gold rings are considered to be the popular and traditional choice, there are many more available options than just the plain yellow gold band. This blog post looks at the various types, colors and karat purities currently available on the men’s jewelry market.

Why is this Cobalt Chrome Ring Such a Popular Wedding Band?

While most shoppers have heard of titanium and tungsten, up-and-coming contemporary metal cobalt chrome is still relatively unknown to the general population. This blog entry examines the many benefits of cobalt chrome men’s wedding bands and why they won’t remain on the fringes for very long.

Ideas for Men’s Unique Wedding Rings – Giving Your Band a Custom Look

Here we looked at how you can give your off-the-shelf band a personal and customized look – without paying the premium price tag of custom wedding rings.

The Ultimate Guide to Black Wedding Rings for Men

This blog entry looks at one of the hottest trends currently on the jewelry market: black wedding rings for men. Different types of black bands are discussed, as well as various options for adding black accents to men’s rings.

Buying a Men’s Ring Online? Tips for Selecting the Best Online Jewelers

This article is intended to help readers navigate the occasionally murky waters of shopping online for men’s wedding bands, including what features shoppers should look out for and expect for their web purchases.

These blog posts are the ones our staff thought were the most helpful or interesting – what is your favorite blog article of ours? What other men’s wedding rings topics would you like us to cover?

While many people have heard of promise rings, some may not realize their popular use as men’s rings. Promise rings date back to centuries ago when they were primarily used as placeholders for engagement rings. Today, however, the scope and meaning behind promise rings is much wider. Here is a look at men’s promise rings – their history, meaning, appearance and how to give and wear them.

Two-Toned Engraved Titanium Ring

Symbolism

Men’s promise rings can symbolize a number of things – love, fidelity, purity, marriage, friendship or a certain intention or vow. Promise rings can serve as modern pre-engagement rings, indicating that a couple is taking serious steps towards spending their lives together. No matter what particular instance these men’s rings are used for, they almost always indicate a special bond between two people.

History

Promise rings are thought to date back to the 1500s. Men would give promise rings as a sort of engagement ring, especially if they could not afford to get married in the immediate future. The occasion of women giving promise rings popped up more recently to the 20th century. These men’s rings were usually offered when their beloved was not in a current position to marry. In these instances, the woman giving the promise ring was making a romantic gesture indicating that she would patiently wait until her love was able to be wed, for financial reasons or otherwise.

Appearance

Promise rings are very often instantly recognizable, yet they can greatly vary in style. Poesy rings, an early form of promise rings popular during Shakespearean times, were often engraved with romantic phrases. In the 16th century promise rings often had an inlay of uncut diamonds or other gemstones so that they could be used to engrave phrases of devotion into hard surfaces like glass.
Modern promise rings for men both reflect these past styles and offer wholly contemporary looks. Like the bands of old, these men’s rings can be dotted with diamonds or engraved with romantic sentiments or promises on the exterior of their bands. Newer styles can be found in more modern designs and alternative materials such as titanium, stainless steel and tungsten.

How to Give Promise Rings

Because promise rings can stand for a variety of different sentiments and occasions, it becomes necessary to state the actual promise when presenting the ring. Consider offering your men’s ring in a more formalized setting that reflects your vow and intention.

How to Wear Promise Rings

Some choose to wear these men’s rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, much as one would with an engagement or wedding ring. However, depending on the meaning of your promise ring, you may instead opt to wear it on the ring finger of your right hand.
No matter what your men’s promise ring stands for, it makes a beautiful statement and holds a rich and romantic history.