A Guide to Men’s Wedding Bands

Choosing your wedding band should take careful thought – after all, you’re probably going to be wearing your band every day. You’ll want to consider your lifestyle, personal tastes, and more. A lot of people are under the impression that men’s wedding bands only come in gold and silver, but this is not the case. There are plenty of unique men’s wedding bands out there! If you’re looking for which men’s wedding band to choose, you’ve come to the right place. Here is our guide to men’s wedding bands.

Metals

There are lots of different metals to choose from for your wedding ring. Some people like to choose their ring’s metal based off of their skin tone. Your skin tone is either cool, warm, or neutral. To determine your skin tone, examine your wrist in natural light. If your veins appear blue, you have a cool skin tone. If your veins appear green, you have a warm skin tone. If your veins appear to be a mix of both blue and green, you have a neutral skin tone. Those with cool skin tones generally look best in lighter colored metals such as platinum, white gold, and silver. Those with warm skin tones tend to look best in warm metals such as yellow gold and rose gold. If you have a neutral skin tone, you’ll look great with either type of metals. The precious metal you choose is ultimately about your personal preference. Here are some common precious metals to choose from for your wedding band.

Yellow Gold 

Yellow gold is a classic choice for men’s wedding bands. It’s been the go-to option for wedding bands for the last several decades. It’s loved for its warm, rich glow. Yellow gold is the most durable and hypoallergenic of the gold family. It has an average lifespan of 20-30 years.

White Gold

Another classic men’s wedding ring option is white gold. While white gold is beautiful, it will become dull and lose its color over the years. A white gold ring will require rhodium plating overtime to restore its original beauty and help protect your ring.

White gold isn’t a hypoallergenic metal because it often contains nickel. It’s also less durable than yellow gold with an average life span of 7-12 years. It may not be a good option for someone who works with their hands because of its low level of durability.  

Rose Gold 

Rose gold has become more popular over the years for its soft brilliance. Because rose gold contains higher levels of copper than other golds, it can cause issues for more sensitive skin. However, its high level of copper makes it very durable. Rose gold has an average lifespan of 20-30 years.

Platinum 

Strength meets beauty in mens platinum wedding bands, which are heavier and longer-lasting than their white gold counterparts. They're hypoallergenic and have a lifespan of 30-40 years. Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold. It's an excellent option for someone that works with their hands for its extreme durability.

Cobalt 

Cobalt is even more durable than platinum. It’s one of the most scratch-resistant metals available and rarely requires replating, making it a hassle-free men’s wedding band. Cobalt is also a great hypoallergenic option.

This metal will be either silver or black in appearance. If you’re looking for a bold, moody ring, this is a great option for you.

Width

2mm vs. 5mm band

Men’s wedding bands come in varying widths. Do you want a wider or a thinner band? Men with larger or longer fingers generally prefer to get a band with a wider width whereas smaller hands will look better with a thinner ring. Keep in mind that if you opt for a wider band, it will have a more snug fit on your finger – make sure your ring size is measured correctly so that your band is comfortable and fits.

At Ritani, our best selling men’s bands are 6mm in width, followed by 5mm.

Fit

Wedding bands come in varying fits. Choose a ring that is both comfortable and meets your tastes. 

Comfort-Fit 

A comfort fit wedding band will have a slightly rounded inner edge. This is great for someone who isn’t used to wearing rings because you’ll barely notice it on your finger.

Square Edge 

This wedding band has a smooth, square outside edge. This creates a sleek, modern look.

Beveled Edge
Beveled edges are stylish as well as comfortable.

Finish

The finish of your ring describes its texture and appearance.

Polished

A classic look for wedding bands, a polished finish is a ring with gloss and shine. Rings can also come with a high polish for extra gleam.  

Textured

Textured finishes add extra dimension to your ring. Examples include hammered rings (above), scratched finishes and sandpaper finishes.

Matte 

A matte ring features little to no shine. A matte finish is perfect for someone who doesn’t want a ring that is overly flashy.

Other Style Choices

There are dozens of different styles for men’s wedding bands out there, but here are some that we find particularly eye-catching.

Diamond Accents
Diamonds add a sophisticated look to men’s wedding rings.

Two-Toned Rings
Looking for a unique men’s wedding band? Opt for a two-toned ring. Men’s wedding bands also come in dual finishes, meaning there are two different textures on the ring. The ring above features a sandblast finish in the center and a high polish rim.

Do Our Rings Need to Match?

Whether you would like to get matching bands with your partner is entirely up to you. Plenty of couples get matching bands, but some choose not to. There are lots of valid reasons to not get matching bands – maybe you got your partner a rose gold engagement ring, but you’re sensitive to copper. Or maybe you just have separate tastes! Choose whatever band feels right for you.

Custom Rings

Having trouble finding a ring you love? Ritani offers custom ring design services. Tell us what kind of ring you’d like and we’ll create a free 3D rendering of your ring and give you a quote. There’s zero obligation to buy.