The Ultimate Guide to Men’s Wedding Band Styles
How do you choose a men’s wedding band style? With more wedding ring options available today than ever before, the search can feel overwhelming. Before you buy, you’ll need to understand the metals, finishes, design elements, and widths of wedding bands available.
We’re breaking down all the must-know details, from the most popular finishes to unexpected materials, so you can find a wedding ring you’ll rock for life.
Shop men's wedding bands on Sarah O. Jewelry.
Choosing Your Metal Type
Metal is the most common material for men’s wedding bands. From precious metals like gold and platinum, to nontraditional choices like ceramic or even meteorite, modern grooms have a diverse range of materials to choose from.
Gold Wedding Bands
14k gold is a popular choice for men’s wedding bands. Traditional yellow or white gold are the most classic ring choices. If you prefer a warmer hue, rose gold is an increasingly popular option.
Gold is a moderately durable material—it’s strong enough for everyday wear, but can still be scratched or dented. It’s natural for gold rings to gain a softer, lightly scuffed appearance over time.
Alternative Metal Wedding Bands
With modern advances in technology and style, many other metals are arriving on the men’s wedding band scene. These materials are highly durable, but may not be able to be engraved or resized. Make sure to discuss your sizing options with your jeweler to make the best choice for you.
Here are some of the top alternative choices today:
Tungsten wedding bands: This affordable, silver-colored metal is the hardest metal on the market. However, tungsten’s hardness also makes it more brittle than other metals, making it prone to cracks.
Cobalt wedding bands: Cobalt is another affordable and durable metal option. Cobalt rings are highly scratch-resistant and have an appearance similar to white gold.
Zirconium wedding bands: These black rings are lightweight, stylish, and scratch-resistant.
Titanium wedding bands: Titanium is another durable ring choice. While it’s not as durable as cobalt and tungsten, titanium resists scratches and won’t rust or corrode, making it perfect for everyday wear.
Non-Metal Wedding Bands
Men’s wedding bands don’t have to be metal. From sophisticated alternatives, to gym-friendly options like silicone, the sky is the limit when it comes to your wedding ring material.
Popular non-metal wedding band materials include:
Wood wedding bands: Wooden rings are lightweight, affordable, and eco-friendly. However, they are far less durable than other options on the market and prone to water damage.
Carbon fiber wedding bands: These rings are highly lightweight, affordable, and comfortable. Like ceramic, they cannot be resized. Carbon fiber rings are also conductive, and should not be worn by electricians while on the job.
Width
Men’s wedding bands range from 4mm–8mm on average. Outliers may be as thin as 2mm or as wide as 10mm. In comparison, most women’s wedding rings are a thinner 2mm–4mm, allowing them to stack neatly next to engagement rings.
When deciding on your wedding band width, consider the size and shape of your hands, as well as the overall effect you want to give off. A slender, more compact hand suits a narrow wedding band, while a chunky band can help balance out a large and broad hand.
The Carter
Available in various widths from 4mm–8mm. Choose your 14k gold color, finish, and width to build your perfect minimalist wedding band.
Finishes
The finish refers to the outer texture treatment of your wedding band. The finish you choose will play a large part in how your ring looks, feels, and reflects light.
High Polish Wedding Bands
High polish wedding rings shine like a mirror. They’re polished to perfection in order to reflect an optimal amount of light, creating an elegant and eye-catching appearance.
Satin Wedding Bands
Satin finish rings have a soft shine, just like their namesake fabric. They reflect less light than high polish rings, giving them a more refined, subtle look.
Ice Wedding Bands
Ice finish wedding bands have a matte, brushed texture. Small micro-lines across the surface of the ring create an effect similar to an iced-over pond. These rings are less reflective, and have a more rustic or industrial look.
Hammered Wedding Bands
Hammered finish rings feature many small facets for a hand-shaped look. If you’re looking for a ring that feels artisanal and handcrafted, a hammered wedding band may be the way to go.
Spotlight On
The Milo
The Milo Knife Edge Band features a comfort fit interior and is available with a high polish, satin, ice, or hammer finish.
Sandblasted Wedding Bands
Sandblasted rings are polished with a high-velocity blast of small, coarse materials, like sand. This gives these rings a rough texture, for a rustic and manly band.
Milgrain Wedding Bands
Milgrain rings feature tiny beads of metal on the border of the ring. This jewelry technique creates a classic, neat look with a delicate texture.
The Jasper
Features fine milgrain edges, available in 14k yellow, white, or rose gold.
Nontraditional Styles
These unique, modern wedding bands are taking the jewelry world by storm. If the traditional gold band isn’t your personal preference, one of these nontraditional wedding bands might be right for you.
Diamond Wedding Bands
Men’s wedding bands can feature diamonds to represent lasting beauty. These diamond styles are more subtle and masculine than their engagement ring counterparts. If you're looking to match your partner's wedding jewelry or engagement ring center stone, diamonds are a timeless choice.
Wood Inlay Wedding Bands
Wood inlays can be set into a metal casing to create a composite wedding band. This unique style is perfect if you’re looking for a rugged wedding ring.
Meteorite Inlay
Why not shoot for the stars? You can wear a piece of outer space in your wedding band with a unique meteorite inlay.
Choosing the Perfect Men’s Wedding Band
When you’re shopping for your ideal ring, consider which factors mean the most to you. Start with your budget: gold and platinum rings are the most expensive, and the volume of metal in the ring will affect the final price. Diamonds and other precious gems can also bring up the price.
Decide whether you want a classic design or a nontraditional style. Consider your finish, unique materials, or personalized details. Looking for something truly unique? Explore endless customization options with a custom design consultation at Sarah O. Jewelry.
For everyday jewelry like wedding bands, comfort is paramount. Make sure to try on rings in-person. A jeweler can help you learn your ring size and try on a wide selection of different ring styles to see how they feel. Want to learn your ring size at home? Try our Wide Band Ring Sizer.
When to Order Your Men’s Wedding Band
At Sarah O., we recommend ordering your wedding band at least 4-6 months before your wedding date. This will ensure enough time for the ring to be resized, if needed. When in doubt, order your ring on the early side to ensure you won’t be stressing last-minute.
Make the moment yours with non-traditional sapphires, emeralds, colored diamonds, and more.