Men's Wedding Ring Guide

Buying an engagement ring and wedding band for a woman might seem like a bigger task than choosing a man's wedding ring, but this misconception can lead to a lack of preparation and overall confusion when the decision needs to be made. Knowing a few things about buying a men's wedding band before you go shopping can help you simplify the process and make a smart choice.

Traditional vs. Modern
Before you get overwhelmed by the selection, first consider whether you want a traditional wedding band or something a little more unconventional and modern. If convention is the man's middle name, you'll probably want to stick to plain bands with no adornments or special sheens in customary metals such as yellow gold, white gold, silver or platinum. For a more distinct style, some men opt for unexpected materials like titanium, tungsten and ceramic, or even a band with diamonds, gemstones or other decorative details.

Wear and Tear
Durability and ease of maintenance are high on the list of concerns for ring buyers. While many guys find that a moderately durable metal works fine for their relatively low-impact jobs and hobbies, other men need a ring that will withstand harsh conditions.

Traditional metals like gold and platinum are easily scratched, and silver requires some occasional maintenance, as it can tarnish. However, these are great options if you want a ring that shines and if you don't find yourself participating in extreme sports very often.

Titanium is extremely durable and lightweight, although it doesn't offer the same shine as other metals. Likewise, tungsten is a good choice for a ring that will last a lifetime. It will resist scratches and tarnish, but it is heavier than most options. Some men opt for ceramic instead, since it has a bit of shine, is lightweight and doesn't tend to get scratched. However, it is not as common and is considered less impressive by some.

Budget
Cost is also always a consideration when buying wedding bands. The average cost of a men's wedding ring is around $600, with a range anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars depending on the style and metal you choose. Plain bands made out of titanium and tungsten tend to be at the lower end of the price range, while platinum rings and those with diamonds and gemstones can often ring in at more than $3,000. A general rule of thumb is that the more decorative details on the ring, the higher the price gets. If budget is your main concern, stick with a solid ring in the metal of your choice.

Men's Wedding Ring Styles

Choosing a men's wedding ring can be overwhelming because there are so many styles available. Wedding bands come in various metals, with or without gemstones, and in many patterns. When shopping for a ring it's important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each type of metal so you can pick the one that best suits your lifestyle.

Precious Metals
Gold is probably the most traditional metal, and comes in 18K, 14K and 10K varieties. 18K gold is the most expensive type and 10K the least costly. Gold can be polished to shine and easily engraved, and it comes in various colors, such as yellow, white, and pink, or rose. However, gold is not as durable as some metals, so it scratches and dents easily, and some people are allergic to it. Platinum is the most valuable metal. Its bright, pure coloring makes it very attractive, as does its purity, which makes it hypoallergenic. However, platinum is also the most expensive type of metal, and it scratches easily.

Industrial Metals
Titanium is durable, lightweight and hypoallergenic. It has a light gray hue that will not change color or fade, but titanium does not shine as much as gold and is not considered a precious metal. Tungsten is another hypoallergenic, durable metal that resists discoloration and tarnish. However, tungsten is heavier and is much darker in color than other metals. Also, because of tungsten's hardness it can shatter if it meets high impact.

Comfort Fit
The comfort fit has a contoured surface on the interior of the ring, so there are fewer places where it comes in contact with the finger. Because it is more comfortable it is good for those not used to wearing a ring. Comfort fit rings generally run half a size larger than other types, so you may need to choose a different size that you ordinarily wear.

Cut
There are also a few common cuts of men's wedding bands. The half-round style is curved on the outside in a convex shape and is one of the more traditional varieties. A pipe band is another style, so called because it looks like a cross-section of a pipe---straight on the inside and outside with flat edges. This look is ideal for wider wedding bands.

Treatment
Wedding bands receive a final treatment to give them a certain look on the outside. A shiny polished exterior is the most traditional type of metal finish. Matte is a brushed finish that gives the surface of the ring a slight sparkle, though scratches tend to stand out on this variety. A brushed finish, sometimes called a satin finish, is similar to the matte but has more noticeable fine lines on the surface. The millegrain is a string of what looks like tiny beads of metal that line the edges of the ring. This is a popular style that adds a slight embellishment to the jewelry.