When a couple becomes engaged, a lot more questions start popping up besides the original, “will you marry me?” one! How will you announce the engagement? What time of year will you get married? Where will the wedding be? Who will be in the wedding party? But a question that's been popping up more and more in the world of wedding planning is, “Do men wear engagement rings?” And the answer to that question is a big, confident “SOMETIMES!”
As with many traditions, the decision for men to wear engagement rings depends on the country, culture and personal and relational preferences of the soon-to-be-wed. Keep reading for the ins and outs of men's engagement rings, including the history, what parts of the world follow this tradition and popular male engagement ring styles and trends from around the globe!
History of men’s engagement rings
A swing and a miss. Male engagement rings have increased in popularity over the years; however, the idea isn’t altogether new. Back in 1926, L. Bamberger & Co. , a department store on the East Coast, launched an assortment of engagement rings for men. Perhaps the attempt was a bit ahead of its time as men rarely wore wedding bands in the 1920s. The idea began to catch on in the 1940s when movie star Humphrey Bogart made wearing a wedding band popular.
Post-World War II America and the rise of the men's engagement ring. This period saw a rise in elaborate weddings and a focus on showcasing love and commitment. The jewelry industry likely played a role in promoting men's engagement rings alongside the growing popularity of wedding bands for men.
Reasons men choose to wear an engagement ring
Whether or not to wear engagement rings is a matter some couples address and decide together, while other couples may leave this decision to each individual person. Here are few reasons men might opt to wear an engagement ring prior to their wedding:
- Equality/showing commitment. Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Romans’ engagement ring custom saw women wearing rings attached to small keys, indicating their husband’s ownership. Today, more and more couples are choosing to demonstrate their pre-marriage commitment with both individuals receiving an engagement ring, rather than one partner being “taken.”
- Honoring cultural traditions. Wearing a male engagement ring is commonplace in countries like Sweden, Argentina and Chile. (More below).
- Celebrity influence. Male celebrities such as Michael Buble and Ed Sheeran celebrated their commitment to their wives-to-be by wearing engagement rings themselves, making the concept of male engagement rings more mainstream. In 2018, Ed Sheeran was spotted at the BRIT Awards with a silver ring on his left ring finger, sparking rumors that he and his finance had secretly tied the knot. However, as the “Perfect” singer later clarified, the ring (handmade by his fiancée!) was his way of recognizing the couple’s recent engagement. He said, “I never saw why men didn’t wear engagement rings. It’s the same commitment either way.” Leave it to Ed to sum this up so...perfectly.
Male engagement ring trends around the world
Obviously, all fashion, cultural trends and traditions may differ from place to place, and that includes engagement ring traditions and etiquette. For example, brides in Russia, Germany, Norway and India wear engagement rings on their right hands, while brides in countries like England, France and the US tend to wear engagement rings on their left ring finger prior to the wedding ceremony. Let’s take a little trip around the globe to explore how different countries and cultures handle the male engagement ring custom.
- In Nordic countries like Sweden, simple gold or silver bands are exchanged by both men and women.
- In Chile, men receive silver engagement rings, which they wear on their right hands. A gold wedding ring is then received upon marriage, worn on the left hand.
- Many Argentinian couples don’t exchange any rings at their wedding ceremony, leaving the rings solely for the time of engagement.
Men’s engagement ring styles to consider
Many elements play a role in selecting the right engagement ring for anybody. Whether you are deciding on a ring for yourself or secretly purchasing one to pop the question, here are few factors to consider when picking men’s engagement rings:
His personal style. If you are selecting an engagement ring for someone, you will likely have a decent gauge on his personal style. Is he more of a traditional gold or silver kind of guy? Or is he edgier and somewhat trendier, where a cobalt, meteorite or dinosaur bone ring might be more appropriate? Skin tone is another factor to keep in mind, as different metals will complement skin tones differently. For a deeper dive into the styles available for men, check out understanding men’s wedding band styles, shapes and metals.
To gemstone or not to gemstone. While this will also depend on the ring recipient’s personal preference and style, it’s an important decision, warranting its own section here. If you are looking for a ring with a little more shine and shimmer, including gemstones may be a good option to explore. From meaningful birthstone gems to well-placed diamonds, it's important to remember that sparkle and dazzle aren’t reserved solely for females.
Metal or material type. Throughout history, engagement and wedding rings have been made from ivory, bone and even leather before elevating to gold and silver. As trends continue to evolve, the metals and materials with which engagement rings are made evolve as well - including men’s engagement rings.
Today, choices exist between gold, silver, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, cobalt, tantalum, meteorite, wood, carbon fiber, silicone and more. If your husband-to-be’s daily activities have the potential to put strain on his ring, make sure you consider a metal’s hardness and durability before purchasing. Learn more about the strongest metals for wedding bands.
Comfort, fit and size. If you’re hoping to have the correct size when presenting an engagement ring to your potential fiancé, you will need to determine his ring size. Follow these steps for measuring ring size to make sure you’re getting the perfect fit. If your future spouse has intentionally not been clued in to the impending proposal or gifting of an engagement ring, keep it a surprise and use these tips for figuring out a loved one’s ring size covertly.
Engagements without the physical finger ring. Jewelry is far from one-size-fits-all, and that rings true (pun very much intended!) for engagement rings for men. Sometimes neither person in the relationship wears a ring, while others opt to wear theirs on a necklace or only during special occasions.
If you have recently received an engagement ring or you will be purchasing one in the near future (congratulations!), consider getting your special ring insured with a personal jewelry insurance policy. While many choose to use homeowners insurance for this purpose, there are drawbacks that many people don’t understand when compared to personal jewelry insurance. Check your rate in just minutes from Jewelers Mutual by clicking the button below!
