For a lot of people, what springs to mind when they think of men’s rings is a simple wedding band, often with no decoration, style or flair. But men’s rings can be so much more than just that and that’s where diamond rings come in.
There are many styles of men’s diamond rings available to suit all styles, whether minimalist or maximalist. You could opt for a diamond ring for your wedding ring, a male engagement ring or simply to wear when you feel like it. It’s all about finding the right ring to suit your style and then to wear it with flare!
Let’s take a look at what you need to consider before you buy a male diamond ring.
Consider Your Style
To buy the right ring, you need to consider what style you’re aiming for. If you prefer to dress in casual attire and have a casual sense of style, then a flashy diamond ring with multiple flashy stones might not be for you. Instead, you might want to opt for something more minimalist.
Or you might be someone who frequently wears suits and formal attire. in this case, you probably want a ring that comes across as classy and sophisticated rather than loud and eye-catching.
If you like loud bling and eye-catching, sparkly jewelry, you might find yourself gravitating towards hip hop jewelry and styles.
Knowing what style you prefer will help you to narrow down your search for your diamond ring.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Just as the style is important, so is the lifestyle. The fact of the matter is that while diamond rings are beautiful and stylish, they can also be less durable than we might want them to be.
If you tend to use your hands a lot at work or are very active durability should be your chief priority. You’ll be looking at a metal that can withstand wear and tear and a design that is less likely to get damaged. For example, a platinum ring like this one with a channel set row of diamonds will offer more in terms of durability than an elaborate ring like this one.
When Should Men Wear a Diamond Ring
Larger men’s diamond rings are ordinarily meant for official or dressy occasions while simpler bands with smaller rings can be worn for most situations. An engagement or wedding ring would typically be worn all the time.
Men aren’t typically known for changing their rings as often as women do. Where a woman will switch between different rings based on the occasion, men tend to wear the same ring or rings in most situations. Still, there is nothing stopping you from switching between different rings depending on the occasion.
Pick a Budget
As with anything else, setting a specific budget before going into the market is always wise. The prices for men’s diamond rings can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to multiple thousands, depending on the style and design of the ring, on metal used, on the size and type of the gemstone as well as on manufacturer’s brand.
And while we definitely don’t recommend settling for a lower quality manufacturer or materials, as this usually means a much shorter life for the ring, there are still multiple budget decision to be made when it comes to the design, the type of metal and the stone.
Just make sure that you don’t get so wrapped up in budget concerns that you get ripped off with a cheap cubic zirconia ring masquerading as a diamond ring. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Choose Your Metal
While there are many metals out there, not all are created equal. Some ring metals might be more popular than others but don’t get influenced by that – consider which metal would be ideal for your particular style, needs and situation.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types of metals used in diamond rings:
Platinum
Among the most popular metal choices, platinum is rare, prestigious, and stylish, as well as very hard and durable. It also happens to be the most expensive choice, so be prepared to fork over more cash than other metals if you opt for platinum. Compare these two identical rings from Blue Nile, with the only difference being that one is of platinum and the other is of white gold. The difference in price? Almost $1500!
Platinum channel set diamond ring vs. 14K white gold channel set diamond ring.
14K and 18K Gold
Gold comes in three main colors and two main levels of gold purity. Gold is a classic choice and will always hold value.
14K and 18K Yellow Gold
The traditional wedding ring choice, yellow gold has a beautiful and classic look. Yellow gold with diamonds provides a beautiful contrast and makes for a classic, vintage look.
14K and 18K White Gold
An alloy of gold and other metals such as palladium and silver, white gold also typically has a rhodium plating. These rings are beautiful and classy but require maintenance as the rhodium wears off over time.
14K and 18K Rose Gold
Similar to yellow gold but with more a romantic tone, rose gold is a popular choice for wedding rings and bands. It also makes for very sophisticated fashion diamond rings for men.
Silver
A very affordable but still beautiful option, silver is popular for all types of jewelry. However, you won’t find many real diamond rings set in silver. If you want to get the look without the cost, think silver and cubic zirconia for a diamond ring look-alike option.
Choose Your Diamond Size
For men’s diamond rings, it’s more common to have diamond melees as opposed to a single large stone. The description of the ring should tell you the total carat weight of the piece. Take a look at the screenshot below. The total weight of all the diamonds in this ring is 1 carat.
Interestingly, if you were to buy a single 1 carat diamond, you’d be spending about $10,000. Smaller diamonds of the same weight as a larger diamond are always less expensive, all else being equal.
Instead of asking what size diamond you need, just go with the aesthetics of the ring. Choose one that appeals to you, whether it holds a single embedded diamond or is ‘iced out’ with dozens of tiny melees.
Types of Men’s Diamond Rings
Whatever your style, there’s a diamond ring for you:
1- A Solitary Stone Diamond Ring
A single stone ring is classy and understated. It still maintains the traditional ring look while venturing forth slightly into the world of sparkling diamonds. This is a great choice if you want a ring that is not too eye-catching or out of the ordinary… something that’ll blend right in.
2- A Channel Set Diamond Ring
This type of men’s diamond rings adds more sparkle and has a chic and modern look. It utilizes several small melee diamonds running around a part of or the entire circumference of the ring. The pattern can vary depending on the design. You can choose either colorless or black diamonds, depending on the look you want.
3- Attention Grabbing Diamond Rings
This type of rings does just that – grab your attention. They come in a variety of designs, such as hip-hop designs. The carat weight can range from as little as .30 to over 15 carats, made up of numerous sparkling melees.
Frost NYC has one of the best collections of dazzling diamond rings that you can’t take your eyes away from. Browse it here.
How Much Do Men’s Diamond Rings Cost?
As we touched above, men’s diamond rings can vary greatly in cost – from just several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. To see what we mean, check this diamond ring out. You won’t believe how much it costs!
What’s great about this is that it gives you a huge variety to choose from. There are many great and affordable diamond rings if you just want something simple with small stones that is still of high-quality design and materials. And if you want something very affordable, then opt for diamond simulants.
Which Finger Should Men Wear Their Diamond Ring On?
A cool thing about men’s diamond rings is that there are no rules on how or where you should wear them.
Thumb rings
Thumb rings aren’t that common but they are actually growing in popularity. The main benefit of thumb rings is that they don’t overcrowd the rest of your fingers, making them great for people who work a lot with their hands.
Index Finger Rings
These rings are meant to be seen. As the index finger is the one we use to point at things and wave around most of the time, if you want people to notice your flashy ring, this is where you should put it.
Middle Finger Rings
There are no traditions or social restrictions and rules when it comes to middle finger rings. Just keep in mind that this is your largest finger and putting a bulky ring on it can be uncomfortable.
Ring Finger Rings
This is the traditional choice for most rings, particularly wedding rings or bands on the left hand. Wearing a ring on this finger will usually give the impression that you’re married. If this isn’t something you want to have to deal with, avoid the ring finger.
Small Finger Rings
Wearing a men’s diamond ring for pinky fingers does have its historical significance. Traditionally, this finger has been used for signet rings used to sign legal documents. It’s a great finger to wear a ring on as it is comfortable and even has a professional appearance.
Where to Buy Men’s Diamond Rings
As with all types of jewelry, men’s diamond rings should only be purchased from trusted and reputable vendors to avoid being ripped off with lower quality or an overpriced product.
There are lots of vendors to choose from. However, if you are new to this niche and you want to make sure that you won’t go to the wrong place, here are our suggestions:
1- Blue Nile
If you’re looking for an affordable men’s diamond ring of good quality, Blue Nile pride themselves on offering great prices for great products. Their website is an excellent first stop for everyone who’s just getting into diamond hunting and doesn’t want to fall prey to unnecessarily overpriced vendors or cheap fakes. What’s more, Blue Nile’s customer service is also top-notch which is great for assisting people new to the area.
2- James Allen
For those looking for fine jewelry, James Allen is a great place to visit. All their products are of the highest quality and they do have a vast selection of rings – from the most impressive and expensive pieces, to quite a few affordable ones. Their site offers a great experience for online shopping thanks to the 360-degree HD videos of all their rings and the 24/7 specialized customer service. With over 10 years of experience in online shopping, James Allen is a great choice.
3- Frost NYC
Frost NYC is known as one of the best jewelry companies in the US and especially on the East Coast. They offer fast shipping, a smooth transaction, and a great price/quality ratio. They also have a great assortment of men’s diamond rings, as well as other jewelry options, plus their attentive customer service staff is always available to help you navigate their site.
4- Hip Hop Bling
If you’re looking for more than just a ring band with a small diamond but want a men’s diamond ring that will grab the attention of everyone around you, Hip Hop Bling is the place to look for it. The vast majority of their men’s rings and other jewelry is covered with diamonds or simulants and other stones in an extravagant manner. What’s more, all this is offered for quite affordable prices.
5- Etsy
If you are looking for a handmade artisan men’s diamond ring, Etsy is probably the one place you shouldn’t skip. You can find multiple independent jewelry boutiques on Etsy, each with their own assortment of rings. Each Etsy shop has its own polices so it might take some time to review all their details ahead of making a purchase, but that’s usually time well-spent. Buying a man’s diamond ring from the right Etsy shop can get you a truly unique and special ring to cherish for years.
