6 Best Men’s Wedding Bands

Choosing a wedding band can be tough. After all, it’s something that you’ll–ideally–wear for the rest of your life as a symbol of love and commitment. It should also convey your personality and character, and complement your fashion style. 

We’ll walk you through the factors that you need to take into account to make your search for the perfect wedding band less complicated. 

TYPES OF BANDS 

Classic – A plain, conventional wedding band. It has no stones, engravings, accessories, or other embellishments. These rings have a sleek, timeless design which makes them one of the most popular style options. 

Carved – This is a contemporary spin on the classic style. With their beveled construction, sculpted edges, patterned inlays, and textured finishes, these rings are heftier and more masculine than the classic contoured trim. 

Diamond – The most extravagant option, diamond bands may have one diamond or a row of diamonds, and even multiple diamonds set throughout the ring.  

RING PROFILES 

A profile refers to a wedding ring’s shape when viewed cross-sectioned. Having the perfect ring profile for your finger guarantees optimum comfort and satisfaction. There are numerous ring profiles available but we narrowed it down to the five most popular types for men’s wedding bands. 

Classic Court – Also called a “court ring” or “traditional court ring,” it’s the most common among all ring shapes. It features a rounded exterior and interior which makes for a soft and snug fit. It’s the most preferred profile for matching sets. 

Flat Ring – True to its name, this profile is flat inside on all sides. For some, the flat interior offers a more comfortable fit around the fingers, with a bulky look and a robust, hefty feel. However, it isn’t a practical choice if you have a hands-on, active lifestyle or profession because it’s extremely prone to snagging on clothing or machinery. 

D-Shaped Ring – Named for its flat interior and domed exterior, it’s perfect for those who love the traditional form of the classic court and the accurate fit of the flat ring. Because of its streamlined design and rounded outer surface, it isn’t inclined to get stuck on fabric and other objects. 

Flat Court – This profile is similar to the flat ring except for its arched inner edge which provides a pleasant fit. It has the appearance of a flat profile when worn. Less chunky and slimmer than classic court and flat rings, it’s easy to wear and ideal for men who aren’t used to wearing rings. 

Flat Sided Court – It has a rounded interior and exterior much like a classic court, but with flat sides and a less curved silhouette. It typically weighs a little more than a conventional court. While this profile may appear deep-seated on the finger, it actually presents a very comfy fit. 

FIT AND SIZING 

A wedding band has to fit perfectly. If the ring is just a tad too wide, it can easily slip right off with minimal activity. A ring that’s too small can hinder the circulation of blood in your finger.

To accurately find your size, have a professional jeweler measure your ring finger. Most jewelry shops provide this service for free without any obligation to buy.  

Consider the temperature when having your ring finger measured. Your finger size and length can vary significantly based on your body temperature. Warmth will cause your fingers to lengthen while a cold climate will make your fingers swell. The best time to determine your ring finger’s size is when your body temperature is stable. After entering the store, wait a few minutes for your core temperature to stabilize before having your finger measured. 

There are online jewelers that ship ring sizers for free. It may not be as accurate as an expert jeweler’s measurement but at least you’ll have a takeoff point to get you on your ring-shopping way. In any case, you can always have the ring resized after purchase. 

TYPES OF METALS AND OTHER MATERIALS 

Platinum – Thirty percent scarcer than gold, it’s the rarest of all precious metals which makes it very expensive. It’s also sought-after for its hardness, sheen, and durability. A platinum wedding ring is around 95 to 98 percent pure. It’s extremely dense, but not too solid or inflexible for engraving and resizing. It yields a constant white brilliance with a dazzling glow. If you’re looking to make a grand statement, a platinum ring is the way to go.   

Palladium – A part of the platinum family of metals and a relatively new trend in men’s wedding band materials. Though slightly softer than platinum, it’s still exceptionally resilient and durable. It gives off an elegant, dark grey sheen that doesn’t tarnish and will never require re-plating. Like platinum, it’s hypoallergenic and has anti-corrosive properties. It’s a wise choice if you want most of the qualities of platinum in a lighter, less costly metal. 

White Gold – It uses pure gold alloyed with other white metals like silver, nickel, or palladium to generate a radiant polish similar to platinum. Its blend of metals makes it more robust than yellow gold. It’s often plated with rhodium to give it a white, silvery glow. White metals are excellent backdrops for diamonds and other gemstones. The addition of rhodium also protects the white gold and furnishes the ring with hypoallergenic attributes. The rhodium coating wears away over time and you may need to have it re-plated every few years to maintain its ivory-white luster. There are jewelers that offer free lifetime re-plating. If you prefer, you can choose to have a white gold wedding band without rhodium plating, which radiates with a distinct gold and silver sparkle.  

Yellow Gold – The most traditional among all the wedding band metals, its history as a prized mineral dates back thousands of years. Pure gold is too delicate and malleable to make into any kind of jewelry so it’s mixed with zinc and copper to make it stronger. The amount of gold in a ring is measured in karats. The most suitable number of karats for a wedding band are 14k and 18k. Anything higher will be too soft for daily wear. Gold is resistant to tarnishing and corrosion. It’s also lightweight and easy to resize or engrave. On the other hand, among all the precious metals, yellow gold is the most likely to dent, scratch, and misshape. Its rarity also makes it one of the most expensive. 

Rose Gold – Also known as pink gold or red gold, it gets its exquisite hue from a composition of yellow gold and copper. The presence of copper makes it the strongest among the gold alloys. Like yellow gold, the color vibrance and hardness will differ depending on which karat you choose. It’s slowly gaining popularity among men for its one-of-a-kind color, sophistication, and durability. Because it’s not as common as yellow or white gold, design options are somewhat limited. It needs regular polishing to preserve its shimmer.  

Silver – Along with gold, it’s the oldest metal for crafting jewelry. It’s the most common precious metal so it’s easier to obtain and less costly to purchase. It does tarnish and scratch easily so if you choose to go with a silver wedding band, make sure to have it plated with rhodium. 

Tungsten – Made from an alloy of tungsten and carbon, this modern metal is exceedingly hard and scratch-resistant. It’s also non-reactive; it won’t cause allergies or discolor your skin. It comes in an array of colors such as black, white, and grey, and can be plated in vivid colors like green and purple. The downside to its hardness is, it’s difficult to work with. Engraving and resizing tungsten rings are next to impossible. 

Titanium – Lightweight, dense, and highly durable, this metal is very versatile and can be shaped into a variety of styles. It doesn’t tarnish or scratch easily. It also won’t bring about any allergic reactions. Despite its dark grey color, it offers a stunning polish that’s similar to platinum or palladium.  

Cobalt – In appearance, it can be easily mistaken for platinum. It has the same lustrous vitality and premium look at a fraction of a platinum ring’s cost. It’s scratch and tarnish-resistant, and doesn’t need re-plating to maintain its color and brightness. It has more design and style options than most modern metals. Black cobalt rings are also in high demand. 

Meteorite – Yes, you can actually purchase a wedding band made from a space rock. The wow factor is absolutely out of this world. It has etchings and patterns that are both compelling and beautiful. While it’s undeniably cool and unique, its high iron content may cause it to rust over time. It demands special care and a strict maintenance routine to preserve its brilliance. 

Zirconium – It’s dense, tough, and resistant to corrosion. In its natural form, zirconium is grey-white with a clear, silvery shimmer. Black zirconium wedding bands are currently in fashion among men and women. Whichever you choose, zirconium is a fine option if you’re looking for something more modern and out of the ordinary.