I’ve got good news:
Most of the tough work is over. Once you’ve picked the perfect engagement ring, the rest of the ride is downhill. Though, choosing a men’s wedding band can still be a difficult choice – will it be comfortable? Heavy? Will I lose it? I mean, it is the most important ring you’ll ever wear. Here’s 10 easy steps to make sure yours is both comfortable and attractive.
Men’s Weddings Bands: A Brief History
Women’s wedding rings have long been a symbol of eternal love. The Egyptians and the Greeks were thought to have chosen the ‘ring finger’ because they believed it contained a vein leading directly to the heart. This legend has influenced many communities throughout history to gift wedding rings. However, it is only recently that men have begun wearing wedding bands. During WWII, men wore wedding rings to remind them of their wives back home. They were used as a symbol of commitment while overseas. During the next few decades, they became increasingly popular for civilians and are now a staple of modern matrimony.
Claude Mens Wedding Bands
How do men choose wedding bands? Top 10 Ways to Make Sure It’s Comfortable
1. Color
One of the easiest decisions to make is color. Do you prefer a more rugged, steely look? If so, white gold, palladium, or platinum are your best choices. White gold is the most popular metal for men as of the writing of this article. Couples may wish to consider platinum or palladium, however, as they are a true “white” metals. White gold, on the other hand, is made from yellow gold, and so it has a more vanilla-white color.
Another, more traditional option, is a warm colored band. Yellow gold is the ultimate classic! And, men with warmer undertones may also like the unique overtone of rose gold! Rose gold has been increasing in popularity. It is made with a mix of pure gold and copper, which emits a rosy/champagne hue (check out our men’s rose gold guide for more info).
Note: “Alternative metals” like steel, titanium, and tungsten are on the rise. However, couples should be aware that these are not precious metals. More importantly, however, is that they cannot be sized and require special tools to be cut off in case of emergency. As a result, Do Amore does not sell them.
Mens wedding band colors (Credit: Corey Egan)
2. Durability
Do you have a job or hobby that could potential damage your ring? Spend a lot of time lifting heavy weights or working with tools? Then you might want a more durable ring. The most durable precious ring types are platinum and palladium.
3. Weight
One factor many grooms do not consider until after purchase is the weight of their band. Some men prefer a heavier ring, as they like the solidity. Others want their ring to be as light as possible! If you want a heavy band, you may wish to consider platinum. This is because platinum is an incredibly dense metal – and it feels great on! If you prefer a lighter band, gold and palladium are your ticket.
4. Width
The width of your wedding band will directly affect how comfortable it is on your finger. The modern look for men’s wedding bands is 6-8mm. A more traditional width (think your grandfather’s band) is around 4mm. Looking to rock the boat? I’ve seen upwards of 10mm for rock n’ rock types! Either way – the goal is to make sure the band feels comfortable. In order to do that, consider the length of your fingers. Men with long fingers will likely prefer an 8mm. Those with shorter fingers will feel more comfortable with a 6mm.
5. Texture
Do you fidget? Do you like texture? This is your chance to have a beautiful, meaningful, and permanent sensory plaything! Those that enjoy texture should choose a wedding band with a hammered finish, a convex edge, or multiple layers. These textures will keep you loving your ring forever.
On the other hand, are you looking for a mens wedding band, but have sensory issues? Solutions include looking for a slightly domed band, a satin finish, and lightweight metals (think gold or palladium). This will keep sensory overload at a minimum and allow the band to feel more natural against your skin.
Hammered, convex band (left); Satin finish soft dome (right)
6. Inside
The inside of a men’s wedding band is an incredibly important factor in its comfort. This is because the inside is what pushes on your skin! As a result, you don’t want it to pinch or scrape against your skin. Here are :
- Comfort-fit – where the inside of the band curves out slightly, creating a soft feel against your skin. This is the most comfortable option.
- Flat – where the band is “pipe cut,” and is flat against your finger. If you choose this, make sure that you have the very edges rounded so it does not scrape your finger on its way on and off (speaking from experience). This is less comfortable
- Concave – where the band curves in, causing your finger to pinch. This is pretty rare, and happens in lower-end bands as a result of the attempt to conserve metal. This is incredibly uncomfortable and should be avoided.
Inside fits for Mens Rings
7. Cost
The most affordable precious metal for a mens wedding band is 14k gold. Our classic, comfort-fit wedding band, Seren, starts at $480 in your choice of gold! Next comes palladium, and then platinum, in terms of expense. This is because platinum is an uber-dense material, so more of it is required to make each platinum band. If you’ve got a large budget, platinum is always a great option. It is durable, stunning, and heavy. (PS: Palladium is a good lower-cost alternative to platinum!)
But “why are mens wedding bands so cheap on Amazon?” Because they are not gold, palladium, or platinum. Instead, they are steel, titanium, or other non-precious metals. As a result, most are cast in factories, like a hex nut. While that thought may actually appeal to you, make sure you consider: you can’t size them or repair them. So, what would happen if you need a new size as a result of weight loss or gain, if you chip or damage the band, or you need to have it cut off in an emergency?
8. Allergies
Men with allergies should take care to avoid gold (in any color). This is because white gold contains nickel (and many people are allergic to nickel), and yellow and rose gold contain copper (another possible allergen). So, if you suffer from allergies, you may wish to consider palladium or platinum! Both of these metals are hypoallergenic and beautiful.
9. Get the Right Size
Get sized by a professional jeweler! Make sure that you try on “mens ring sizers” and not women’s ring sizers (which are thinner). Also, consider giving yourself just a touch more room to make sure you feel good getting the ring on and off. This is also important for when you swell in heat (of after eating that pizza).
10. Matching Her Band
Some couples love this, some don’t care. Speak with your partner and see if they have an opinion, then make the right choice for you! Some alternate ways of complimenting each other’s bands include: matching metal colors, matching engravings, and matching widths! Here’s a romantic engraving of one of our groom’s fiancee’s actual handwriting:
Final Thoughts on Men’s Wedding Bands
Choosing a men’s wedding band should be a lot of fun! Once you’ve got your budget decided, really try to pick a ring that compliments your personality and relationship.
One of our favorite things to do is create custom rings. We love doing engravings. If you’re interested in a unique ring, reach out to us here or email us at care@doamore.com. We can show you some cool things we’ve done before and help you come up with something cool for your own ring. Also, check out our Facebook page for a constant feed of unique custom rings.
Wedding Bands For Men
The history of wedding rings is long and illustrious. However, only recently have men begun to wear wedding bands. That said, in the brief history of wedding bands for men, they have become an important tradition.
Selecting a wedding band for men is difficult though. There are many factors to consider. We’re working on a guide to choosing a wedding band for men, but until then, here’s a guide to rose gold wedding bands for men. First, a quick lesson on Rose Gold.
About Rose Gold
Now, you may be familiar with a few types of gold. In fact, there are three common types: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold (though rose gold can also be referred to as pink or red gold, depending on the karatage). There are two factors that go into making a certain type of gold:
- The type of alloy metal alloys in the mix.
- The percentage of said metal alloys.
Rose gold, for example, is made with a mix of pure gold and copper. The more copper in the gold, the redder the color of the ring. That’s why 18k rose gold is a bit more champagne in color, whereas 14k is a stronger rose color (there’s more copper in 14k rose gold).
Here’s the chart we used in our 14k vs 18k rose gold article to briefly describe the differences between the two:
14k Rose Gold | 18k Rose Gold |
Less pure gold (58.3%) | More pure gold (75%) |
More copper | Less copper |
Red/Rose in color | Light pink/silver in color |
Warmer | Brighter |
Harder | Softer |
Pros of Rose Gold Wedding Bands for Men
There are a number of benefits to choosing rose gold for your wedding band. First is purely aesthetic. For one, rose gold matches all skin tones. Two, rose gold wedding rings add a unique and subtle color to clothing. They often conjure romantic connotations due to their rosy hue, and they’re a very unique ring.
Another benefit of rose gold is that it is more durable, in general, than yellow or white gold. It won’t scratch as easily. It also lacks the rhodium plating that is in white gold.
Cons of Rose Gold Wedding Bands for Men
As for cons of rose gold wedding bands for men, there really aren’t many. One possible warning is that, if you’re allergic to copper, don’t buy a rose gold ring. Other than that, they’re a little less traditional for wedding and engagement rings (though, they’re becoming increasingly popular). Finally, they’re not as easy to find (or match) due to their uniqueness and relatively recent popularity.
Here’s a chart that (sort of) resembles our previous chart on our article about the pros and cons of rose gold engagement rings:
Pros | Cons |
Scratches less easily than white and yellow gold | Not hypoallergenic (due to copper) |
Affordable | Not as widely available (yet) |
Romantic connotation | |
Matches all skin tones | |
Doesn’t require rhodium plating | |
Examples of Rose Gold Wedding Bands for Men
Here are three of our favorite rose gold men’s wedding bands that we sell. If you’d like to see a larger collection, or if you’re curious to see what a certain model of men’s ring would look like in rose gold, please reach and out we’ll help you out!
Final Thoughts on Rose Gold Wedding Bands For Men
Overall, rose gold wedding bands for men are an excellent choice. They’re unique, beautiful, warm, and affordable. Like any jewelry, though, it’s up to your personal preference. Of course, you’ll also want to match your partner’s ring. If you need any help or consultation, we’re happy to jump on the phone with you any time. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
14k vs 18k Rose Gold
So you’re in the market for a rose gold engagement ring? Solid choice! Rose gold rings are beloved for their vintage aesthetic, as well as their durability, affordability, and romantic connotation.
There’s a lot to learn about when searching for an engagement ring, though. It can be confusing. Karatage? Clarity? Durability? We’ve been putting together some articles to help you learn about some of these things (check out this article on the pros and cons of rose gold engagement rings).
This guide here is all about karatage and mainly focuses on the differences between 14k and 18k rose gold. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
A Quick Lesson On Gold Engagement Rings
Gold rings are defined on a scale of karatage, in which 24k gold represents pure 100% gold. It’s impossible to make jewelry with 24k gold because it is too soft, which is why pure gold is mixed with metal alloys.
Karats | Percentage of Pure Gold |
24k | 100% |
22k | 91.7% |
18k | 75% |
14k | 58.3% |
10k | 41.7% |
That’s how we get the different types of gold – white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, etc; by mixing different alloys. White gold is made with a mix of gold and at least one white metal – usually nickel – as well as rhodium plating. Yellow gold includes pure gold and metal alloys like copper and zinc. Finally, rose gold is a mixture of pure gold and copper. The higher the copper content, the darker red the gold is.
The Differences Between 14k and 18k Rose Gold Engagement Rings
As I mentioned, the more copper included in the mixture, the darker red the ring will be. So less copper = lighter rose/champagne colored gold. Now, because 14k gold contains less pure gold than 18k gold does, it is necessary to include more copper. Therefore, 14k rose gold is usually lighter in color than 18k rose gold. Here’s a little summary of the differences:
14k Rose Gold | 18k Rose Gold |
Less pure gold (58.3%) | More pure gold (75%) |
More copper | Less copper |
Red/Rose in color | Lighter rose/champagne in color |
Warmer | Brighter |
Harder | Softer |
In general, we use 75% gold, 22% copper, 1% zinc and 1% silver in our 18 karat rose gold engagement rings, making them warm, peachy, bright. In our 14 karat rose gold engagement rings, we use 58.5% gold, 36% copper, 2.5% silver, and 1% zinc, resulting in a warmer, darker red engagement ring with vintage tones.
The choice really comes down to your preferences on aesthetics. This guide should give you a good base of knowledge to make that choice, along with the infographic below. And if you found any of this helpful, please share with your friends and even put the infographic on your site!
14k vs 18k rose gold infographic
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A Primer On Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings
Karats and Metal Alloys
To start, pure 100% gold is measured by 24 karats. This means that anything less than 24 karats has metal alloys in the mix, which produces the different colors in gold engagement rings. Since most gold jewelry is either of the 14k or 18k variety, let’s explain what these mean.
- 14 karat gold is comprised of 58.3% gold.
- 18 karat gold is comprised of 75% gold. 18k gold is more expensive and more vivid than 14k gold, but it is more prone to tarnishing (as it is softer). All golds are cheaper than platinum though.
Because there are different metal alloys used (and different percentages), we can make different colored gold wedding rings.
Colored Gold
While pure gold is a sort of reddish yellow, colored gold can be produced in a few different shades.
The color of different gold engagement rings is actually determined by two factors:
- The type of alloy metal alloys in the mix.
- The percentage of said metal alloys.
Let’s look at the different types of colored gold:
White Gold
White gold is a mix of gold and at least one white metal – probably nickel, manganese or palladium. The gold is then plated with a hard element called rhodium. The silver hue that embodies white gold engagement rings actually derives from the hard rhodium-plating.
(note: white gold is often the worst for allergies, as it nickel allergies are fairly common)
Here’s a good example of a white gold ring, our Einstein band:
Rose, Red, and Pink Gold
Rose gold is widely used for specialized jewelry. It is a beautiful and warm gold and copper alloy (good as an alternative for those with nickel allergies). Variations such as red or pink gold are in the same category – the only differences coming from the amount of copper in the mix.
Here’s a rule of thumb: the higher the copper content, the stronger red the ring will be.
Here’s one of our favorite rose gold wedding rings, the Dunia:
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is what many people think of when they hear the world ‘gold.’ It is a distinct and warm yellow hue created by mixing pure gold with alloy metals like copper or zinc.
Here’s a photo of one of our favorite yellow gold wedding bands, the Tesla Band:
Purity
As explained previously, the gold engagement rings that you’re probably shopping for are not pure 100% gold. That would be 24k gold, and it would be far too soft to use in jewelry. Instead, in jewelry we use either 14k or 18k gold (58.3% gold and 75% gold respectively).
Which is better? Well, that’s all your preference. (note: read our guide on the differences between 14k and 18k rose gold for more information)
Here are the basic differences:
14k gold | 18k gold |
58.3% gold | 75% gold |
Less expensive | More expensive |
Less vivid | More vivid |
Less prone to tarnishing | More prone to tarnishing |
Normal jewelry | Fine jewelry |
Of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but this chart is a good heuristic.
Cost
As mentioned above, the cost of your gold engagement ring will depend on a few factors.
- The percentage of pure gold used.
- The types of alloys used.
- The craftsmanship of the ring.
- The market value gold.
- Where you buy it (taxes and whatnot)
Overall, though, gold rings are less expensive than platinum rings and are more expensive than silver rings.
Maintenance
Certain gold rings are more subjected to wear and tear than other rings (higher karat gold, especially). However, there are multiple ways you can care for your ring (we even put together this guide on cleaning your engagement ring).
Do Amore also offers free maintenance if you purchase a ring through our site (probably our second best benefit – behind providing two people with water for life!)