Mangagement rings

Credits: www.pixabay.com

From the historical point of view, it is no wonder that men have always kneeled down to make the marriage proposal to women. The reasons are numerous: first of all, the man only worked and maintained the family, men established relationships and stipulated agreements through marriages. Furthermore, men have always been considered more rational in making decisions than women, defined as unstable, unreasonable and too excitable to make such important choices. It would have been unconceivable for a woman to ask for a man’s hand: she would have been considered “masculine”, authoritarian or, even worse, desperate in her attempt to “settle down”.

Luckily things have changed today: women study (with better results than men, don’t be offended, gentlemen!), work, make a career, maintain themselves independently and… buy rings for themselves!

In the 1920s, Macy’s department store had launched an advertising campaign for men’s rings, baptizing them with masculine and virile names such as “Stag” or “Master”, but unfortunately it has not been successful.

In recent years, especially in the United States, there has been an increase in sales of men engagement rings, perhaps as a sign of equality between the two sexes, certainly as a symbol of mutual commitment. In other countries of the world, such as Chile, Argentina and Sweden, the practice of wearing men engagement rings is well established already. Furthermore, international stars such as Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé have publicly declared that they wear engagement rings and this has probably helped the raise of awareness of this new trend. Finally, same-sex couples have given a big push to past traditions, simply letting love rule and determine who you want to offer your heart to.

These changes in modern society have led to a new way people perceive engagement rings. At this point I wonder: would men willingly wear engagement rings? I sincerely believe so because more and more often both halves of the couple (regardless of their sexual orientation) want to wear a symbol of mutual commitment and I think this is fantastic!

How do you choose a man engagement ring? As far as women are concerned, the custom of gifting engagement rings has its roots in the past, but for men this issue is relatively new and there is no solid tradition that helps to sort out among many market options.

Let’s start with the basics: as for women, it all depends on personal taste (for example, what does he like wearing?), on his lifestyle (is he sporty? what are his hobbies? for work, does he use hands a lot or do they get dirty?) and of course the budget.

There is no “best” engagement ring, there is only the right ring for him, the one he feels comfortable with and which honestly represents your story.

While the wedding ring is generally a simple metal band, with the engagement ring you can free your imagination and creativity. Furthermore, as it usually happens with wedding bands, it would be so nice if the couple’s rings would match in colors or details.

On the market there is a wide variety of models that satisfy every style. Some men rings incorporate precious gemstones, others are simple bands, but do not look for the label “men engagement rings” in the jeweler’s window because a slightly elaborate wedding band might be as well perfect as engagement bling.

Let’s consider some indications:

METAL: in men rings, the choice of metal is crucial. First of all, make sure he has no allergies of any kind, after that you can have fun because there is so much choice, from traditional gold to more alternative metals:

gold: versatile in its three colors and in the many possibilities of the finish, which can be brushed, hammered, satin, and so on. Colors can also be mixed with intertwining and overlapping designs;
platinum: always loved and very elegant, its color is similar to white gold, but is more resistant. Furthermore, it is more durable, it does not require rhodium plating and is hypoallergenic;
silver: it grants a timeless charm, it is resistant to rust and is hypoallergenic;
titanium: lifetime resistant and super light, it has a beautiful shine and numerous advantages: it is hypoallergenic, it does not oxidize, it is not corrosive and has a low level of conductivity (so it does not overheat when exposed to heat);
tungsten: known for its enormous resistance to scratches, it is an excellent idea for a jewel that must resist to the signs of time;
stainless steel: very durable, light and affordable. Although not completely scratch resistant, it still looks good years later. Drawback: it corrodes if in contact with chlorine, therefore it should not be worn in the swimming pool;
silicone: it is the ideal material if your boyfriend cannot wear metal rings. Silicone is a flexible, durable, it has a low conductivity level and it’s cheap! There are various models and designs on the market, you have a lot of choice.

There are also rings in rhodium, cobalt, Damascus steel and even in meteorite rock!

Small note: with regards to indestructible metals, such as titanium and tungsten, remember that they are difficult to repair, tighten or enlarge. They are challenging to work with, and this is the reason why rings made from these materials usually have a basic and simple design.

Credits: www.ssmdesign.com Credits: www.karennamarajcollection.com

PRECIOUS STONES: they are perfect for the bold man who loves to be noticed. A diamond covered ring will make him feel like a Hollywood star! If your man, on the other hand, has a more discreet style, this doesn’t mean that you have to give up precious stones, especially if you like them. In order to distinguish the engagement ring from the simpler wed band, you can have a small gem or a thin row of diamonds set on the band, or you can hide on the inside of the ring a tiny stone whose color has a special meaning for you both (your birthstone, or a family heirloom gemstone, etc.). So cool.

FINISH: if your boyfriend is not the precious stones type, don’t give up, you can still have a little sparkle. Indeed you can still make his ring special by choosing a particular finish. The polished one is always elegant, its sheen captures your attention and, in its simplicity, it never bores (but be careful of scratches, which will be slightly more visible if compared to other finishes).

If you prefer something original, but above all if you want an engagement ring that stands out from the wedding band (which is usually polished), there are many variations on the theme: from the satin effect (very fine, suitable for a simple design ) to the hammered one (with small shiny facets on the whole surface of the ring, perfect for the slightly rough man), ask your jeweler to show you as many finish examples as possible, so that you can personally evaluate the effect that each one has on his skin and hand.

Credits: www.theclassicgem.com

PERSONAL TOUCH: if you like it, remember to add a small engraving on the inside of the ring, such as a date or a short sentence, or a small precious stone that means something special for you two (for example, a blue topaz if you have met for the first time at the seaside, or a small wooden inlay if you shared your first kiss in the woods). A detail, no matter how small it may be, will make this jewel more unique and special.

DO NOT FORGET THE WED BAND!: for some men, one ring is enough. If your boyfriend shares this opinion, perhaps he will choose to wear his engagement ring as a wedding band. If, on the other hand, he intends to wear both the wedding band and the engagement ring, then it would be nice if the two jewels were coordinated (but not too similar!).

It would appear that men engagement rings are cheaper than women. This is due to the fact that – usually – they are less dressed up with diamonds and precious stones, which obviously make the total cost soar. The brand, the complexity of the design, the kind of metal used and the presence of precious stones are the main factors that contribute to the formation of the final price.

Now do you need some inspiration to amaze your loved one with a romantic and unexpected gift? Here is a selection of ideas for you. These are some of my favorite men engagement rings:

GOLD

Credits: www.cartier.com

Timeless Trinity by Cartier was born in 1924 for a man (the legend has it that it was inspired by Jean Cocteau), but it is also beautiful on a female hand. It has been worn by true legends of elegance, such as the Duke of Windsor, Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper, Alain Delon, Romy Schneider. The three circles made in the colors of gold respectively represent love, fidelity and friendship. In its simplicity and supreme class, it is undoubtedly one of the symbols of French elegance.

Cartier Blue Nile

Credits: www.theknot.com Credits: www.vogue.com

Damiani, model Metropolitan Buccellati, model Eternelle

Credits: www.damiani.com Credits: www.buccellati.com

Bulgari, model B.Zero Gucci, model Link To Love

Credits: www.joliecloset.com Credits: www.gucci.com

Fope, model Flex’It

Credits: www.fope.com

Ken & Dana Design

Credits: shop.kenanddanadesign.com

Blue Nile, model Eurofit Olive Ave

Credits: www.theknot.com Credits: www.theknot.com

David Yurman David Yurman

Credits: www.vogue.com Credits: www.vogue.com

Tiffany & Co. Marrow

Credits: www.vogue.com Credits: www.theknot.com

DIAMONDS

Credits: www.ilsole24ore.com

Always one step ahead in the love jewelry market, in spring 2021 Tiffany & Co. officially launched the collection of men diamond engagement rings. With a clear chevalier inspiration, these jewels are made of platinum and have a magnificent diamond in the center, either brilliant or emerald cut. The design is soft and rounded in the first case, it is decisive and bold in the latter.