Breaking Tradition: The Rise of Male Engagement Rings

Romantic traditions are changing, and male engagement rings are becoming more common. These rings, once rare, now symbolize love and commitment and challenge traditional gender roles in relationships. This change shows a growing desire for equality and mutual respect in partnerships.

Let’s take a look at why male engagement rings are getting more popular and what they mean in today’s love stories.

JamesAllen Engagement Rings

Do Men Wear Engagement Rings?

While men haven’t traditionally worn engagement rings, there’s no reason that they can’t. The concept of engagement rings has been around for a while. If we go far back to the 16 and 17th centuries in Europe, we notice that Gimmel rings were a tradition very similar to men’s engagement rings.

These were interlocking loops or links that would fit together to form a single ring. Much like a promise ring, the couple would wear these rings from the time of their engagement to their wedding.

gimmel male engagement rings
gimmel ring unlocked
A romantic gimmel ring. See it here.

However, while in some cultures, like in Latin America, it is quite common for men to wear engagement rings, this concept of men wearing a ring to signify an engagement never really became a tradition in the Western world. It’s only in recent years that some men have taken to this idea.

Part of the reason for this could be the shifting zeitgeist, as the emphasis on equality between men and women becomes prevalent. Some might argue that it’s unfair that only a woman visibly announces her engagement with a ring whereas, for a man, there is hardly any indication that they are taken.

Why Do Some Men Wear Engagement Rings?

Simply put, an engagement ring is a clear indication that the person is committed and shouldn’t be approached with a flirty intention. Most women are quite sensitive towards their ring as it signifies their special bond, while men tend to be more casual towards wearing theirs.

However, the ring signifies that you’re now taken, that you’ve found ‘the one’ and this is a very romantic and significant piece of jewelry.

It’s also about making your man feel special.

Even if a guy doesn’t really show interest in an engagement ring, probably because he has never thought of the idea, the significant other can play a role here and encourage him to wear one. In a popular case, singer Jennifer Hudson approached professional wrestler David Otunga with a ring seven months after he proposed to her with a diamond ring. Better late than never.

Are Men Supposed to Wear Engagement Rings?

For most men, wearing an engagement ring is a strange idea or one they aren’t really comfortable with. While this may have changed to an extent, many men still don’t like to wear jewelry of any kind. Some even prefer to wear it around their neck on a chain rather than on their finger. This way it fulfills the purpose of the engaged status and stays safe around the neck.

Overall, it is not at all mandatory for men to wear engagement rings. Of course, it’s not mandatory for women either. An engagement ring is a symbol of love and connection but there’s no hard and fast rule about how this should be represented.

When to Wear a Male Engagement Ring?

It really depends from person to person and culture to culture. In general, you would wear an engagement ring when you’ve got engaged and then would add a wedding ring when you get married.

Male engagement rings with diamond
A men’s engagement ring like this one can be mistaken for a wedding ring.

One thing to note is that wearing a ring can be misleading as it may look like a wedding ring. In this case, you could be mistaken for being a married man, and not an engaged man.

With same-sex couples, both partners may choose to wear his, his or hers, and hers engagement rings from the time of the engagement.

Male Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Ring

Simply put, an engagement ring is worn from the time of the proposal while the wedding ring is put on the finger after the wedding vows. So, an engagement ring represents the promise of the journey whereas the wedding ring represents the start of the journey.

simple gold wedding band
A classic gold wedding ring for men. See it here.

In general, a men’s wedding band is usually a ring made from precious metals like platinum and gold, or alternative metals such as tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and carbon fiber. These rings don’t generally contain any diamonds or other gemstones.

Men's diamond ring
A men’s diamond ring. See it here.

A men’s engagement ring, on the other hand, can be either a plain metal band, but it’s more common for them to contain diamonds. As the trend began to popularize, jewelry brands came up with ways to tweak the simple bands and add textures, colors, and designs to them for a more stylish look.

Moonstone engagement ring set
A very unique his and her matching engagement ring idea. See it here.

Matching engagement rings are a great idea too, as they allow you and your partner to have a cohesive look. For example, if your significant other chooses to wear a solitaire diamond ring, you can opt for a silver platinum band to match hers. There are also very creative and unique matching engagement ring ideas so have a look around and find what works stylistically for both of you.

On Which Finger Should a Men’s Engagement Ring be Worn?

This can differ from culture to culture. For example, in most European countries and the United States, men’s engagement rings are worn on the left hand whereas, in countries like Pakistan, India, Peru, Norway, Spain, and Denmark, it’s worn on the right hand.

So, while the jury may be out on which finger a male engagement ring should be worn, there’s no right or wrong answer. It can be worn on either hand, as long as you’re comfortable with it.

Just ensure that you decide which hand and finger before you have your ring sized because your finger sizes could be different, and what fits the right hand may be either loose to a bit tight on the left.

Types and Styles of Men’s Engagement

There are several styles of male engagement rings to choose from and some of the popular ones include:

  • As we mentioned above, a diamond ring is a popular choice. It can have a center diamond taking the limelight or a band encrusted with a number of diamond melees.
  • If a colorless diamond doesn’t cut it for you, black diamond engagement rings are a great choice and have a masculine appeal. You can also opt for other gemstones like sapphires or rubies.
black diamond male engagement rings
Black diamonds offer a great alternative to colorless diamonds. See this ring here.
  • Customizing your engagement ring is a great way to make it truly yours. It becomes personal and very special. For example, choose a fingerprint ring like this one that has a fingerprint of your other half engraved on the exterior of the ring. It’s a nice way to personalize the ring and keep a part of them close to you all the time. You can also have a special quote, monogram or motif included in your ring to give it more meaning.
  • Want to keep it simple? Then you can always stick with a classic metal band. There are so many metals to choose from whether precious or alternative. You have many options for finishing touches that will add an extra dimension to your ring, giving it the right texture and shine to suit you. In this case, you can simply buy a wedding ring but wear it like an engagement ring.

Where to Buy Men’s Engagement Rings

When you’re looking to buy a male engagement ring, there are several well-known stores that offer a variety of choices for all tastes and budgets.

  • Blue Nile is famous for its high-quality jewelry and great customer service. They have a wide selection of male engagement rings, from classic to modern styles, and they offer customization for a personal touch. Blue Nile is a great choice if you’re looking for luxury and elegant diamonds.
  • Brian Gavin is known for its exceptional diamonds with excellent cuts and brilliance. Their male engagement rings, perfect for those who value detailed craftsmanship, can be custom-made for a unique ring.
  • Whiteflash is ideal for those looking for designer engagement rings. They’re recognized for their top-quality, certified diamonds and offer sophisticated designs that suit a modern style.
  • Etsy provides a unique and diverse range of male engagement rings, from handmade artisanal pieces to vintage finds. It’s a good option if you want something unique or custom-made, as you can buy directly from artists.
  • Amazon offers the convenience of a wide selection of male engagement rings at various prices. It’s a good starting point if you’re looking for different styles and materials, including traditional and modern options

Wrapping Up

Male engagement rings symbolize a significant change in traditional relationship roles, reflecting equality and personal choice. Whether you choose a traditional diamond or a one-of-a-kind handmade design, a male engagement ring stands as a strong symbol of love and partnership in the modern world.

Nadi Alahakoon

Nadisha has been a fashion aficionado for as long as she can remember! From following the latest trends to checking out vintage styles, she’s always curious about what’s in and what’s out! She has a background in Nursing, literature, and English. When she’s not writing about jewelry and diamonds, Nadisha spends her time window shopping, dancing, or traveling the beautiful landscapes of Canada.

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