Wedding bands symbolize a lifelong commitment between two people. Since your wedding band has an enduring meaning behind it, it’s important to choose a ring that represents you and your unique style.
Many men don’t know about the vast number of customization options available for their wedding band. Here are the top five customization options you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for a men’s wedding band.
1. Width of the Wedding Band
The width of a wedding band drastically changes how it looks. The thicker the wedding band, the better they tend to work for men with larger hands or thicker fingers, or even for those who maintain more hands-on careers. People with thinner fingers and smaller hands may gravitate towards thinner wedding bands.
Another factor to consider is whether or not the wearer is used to putting on a ring every day and, likewise, whether they intend to wear a ring daily. If they’re not used to wearing rings, then a thinner band may also be easier to get used to. Alternatively, if the wedding band is only to be pulled out on special occasions, a thicker band could still be an option.
2. Metal Type
Metal type and colour can change the appearance of the wedding band drastically. Choosing a metal is partially dependent on personal preference, as well as understanding what durability is best for the wearer.
Platinum
Platinum is a popular choice with men’s bands as it maintains a fine appearance while remaining incredibly durable. Due to this durability, it doesn’t show scratches as easily as gold. Of course, the drawback of platinum is its cost, which is generally higher than its gold counterparts.
White, Yellow & Rose Gold
Gold is a classic choice for a wedding band. Since gold is a softer metal, it's combined with other metals to strengthen it and, in some cases, to alter its colour.
For those looking to fully embrace the look of a classic wedding band, yellow gold is a perfect option. Even with its timeless appearance, yellow gold bands can still be customized with the finishing and final details to make it unique and modern.
White gold is a great option for those looking for a contemporary aesthetic. It retains a similar softness to yellow gold, as it is combined with such metals as palladium, silver, and others to change the colour.
Rose gold – another contemporary style and colour – is made by combining pure gold and copper, which results in slightly higher durability than yellow or white gold bands.
3. Finish on the Band
No matter the metal you choose, the finish can alter the appearance greatly. Popular finishes for men’s wedding bands include high polish, matte, satin, brush/cross satin, and sandblasting finishes.
High polish gives the band a reflective finish. This is a timeless choice, but it can be more prone to scratching than other finishes.
Matte finishes are flat, reducing the amount of shine or reflection of the metal.
Satin bands have a similar appearance to high-polish rings. However, this finish does not reflect light, meaning you retain a shine to the ring without the flashiness. It’s a great option for those looking for a refined look that’s a bit more subtle.
Brush/cross satin provides more of a textured look to the ring. This wedding band finish retains a sense of elegance while highlighting its uniqueness.
Lastly, sandblasting finishes work ideally for those ring wearers who want a bit of grit to their ring. With no shine or shimmer to speak of, sandblasting finishes are perfect for those who want their ring to be understated and distinctive.
4. Structure of Band
To make your ring even more unique to you, many men opt for certain structural styles. The most popular structures for men’s bands include domed bands, flat bands, and concave bands.
Dome bands provide a rounded appearance to both the surfaces and edges of the band. For many men, this is a more comfortable option – as well as remaining a classic, time-approved choice. Dome bands are also referred to as a D-shape.
Flat bands are rings that retain no curve or bend. These bands are flattened for a straight appearance.
Concave bands are the inverse of dome bands. Instead of bending outwards, concave bands curve inwards. These bands are less common and quite striking, a perfect choice if you’re looking for a unique touch.
5. Final Touches
Men’s bands can be highly customized, literally made to fit you and your lifestyle. That means that the final touches on a men’s band can be endless. However, the most popular final touches that we’re asked about include diamonds, milgrain, and carving.
Diamonds
While women’s rings tend to focus on diamonds at their crux, men’s bands tend to incorporate diamonds into the design as fine detailing. That being said, diamonds can be worked into your band in a large number of ways, from a few small stones to several accented rocks.
Milgrain
Milgrain is a goldsmithing technique that uses small beads of metal to create borders on rings and bands. This practice was common in the first half of the 20th century. Right now, we’re seeing a number of grooms choosing this for their rings as a refined detail without the addition of diamonds.
Carving
Carving is somewhat similar to milgrain as it adds character to a wedding band. Carving can be made as intricate or simple as you want.
Want to Find the Perfect Wedding Band for You?
Wait no longer. Book an appointment with our ready-to-help team today to find the perfect wedding band for you and your partner. We’ll walk you through the process and make sure you walk away with a wedding band fit perfectly to you.