How to Choose Diamond Rings for Men

Diamond rings for men are often overlooked – and I’m here to say enough is enough! The trend of men’s wedding rings being made of palladium and other ‘tough’ metals is wonderful, and it has hopefully taught us that men wearing jewellery is certainly a good thing. Engagement rings need not be just for women, and diamond rings in general shouldn’t be restricted to those with two x chromosomes.

When it comes to picking a diamond ring for men, here are some tips to steer you right.

Style

Something that should steer every decision we make when it comes to our fashion and accessorising choices: does it suit your style? It can be intimidating for a man to try to establish his own style, particularly in a world where straying from the norm can lead to people making fun of your for trying something different. Women are certainly given more societal free reign to experiment with their aesthetics, and I believe it is time that men are granted the same freedoms. Self-expression is an essential part of self-confidence and self-worth, and jewellery can play a big part in that. Don’t wait until you’re engaged to try it out.

A lot of men prefer something with a thicker band when it comes to rings in order to accommodate for their generally broader hands. If you’re interested in rings with thick bands, there are plenty of options available, particularly among antique men’s jewellery. In a different time, when men wore jewellery more commonly, a myriad of rings were handcrafted, some featuring diamonds, in styles that transcend time and still look unique and stylish today.

If your style leans more towards slimline jewellery, the vast majority of rings are crafted more to this style. Don’t be afraid of shopping in what might be considered ‘women’s shops or women’s sections of shops for your rings. If you do feel insecure or anxious about doing that, you can always pretend you’re shopping for a female friend or loved one, and no-one need know if you’re checking out something to add some shine to your own hands.

If you have no idea where to start in terms of finding your own style, looking to celebrities is a good idea. People like David Beckham, Jason Momoa, and Kanye West all represent men who wear jewellery with totally unique styles. David Beckham has a very classic style, and imitating his looks is probably the best place to start for those that are a little nervous about starting to wear jewellery. Jason Momoa likes to pile on the accessories, so if you want to dive in with something loud and proud then check out his styles. Kanye West represents quite a bare-bones, minimalistic style, frequently sticking to plain yellow gold. If you want something more understated, check out his fashion and see what you think.

Cost

Obviously, before making a purchase like a diamond ring, you should have a budget in mind. Whether you’re buying for yourself or the man of your dreams, ensure that you have an agreed-upon budget and you stick to it. There’s nothing worse than seeing a ring and falling head-over-heels for it only to realise that it’s out of your price range. There isn’t much danger, however, with window shopping in a higher price than you can afford, just to establish what styles you like. Once you’ve figured out what it is you like – or what you think he might like – you can make a list of features you want to find – think things like diamond cut, what metal the band is made from etc. Use your list to figure out what it is you want to find within your price range, and make sure you don’t go over that line.

There is no specific rule on how much you should spend on a diamond ring. If it’s an engagement ring you’re looking for, there is the old adage of three month’s salary being used to cover the cost. In today’s economy, that’s less than realistic for most people, and thankfully the advent of getting engagement rings for men is so young that there is no set expectation as yet. Diamond rings don’t typically run cheap, but vintage options tend to be less costly than buying diamonds new. It’s also a good way to ensure your diamonds are conflict-free, and do not contribute to the struggles of diamond mining.

Confidence

Once you have your ring (or rings), the key thing you need to focus on is confidence. Men are completely capable of pulling off antique jewellery just as well as women. Look to any red-carpet event or music video and find many of your favourite male celebrities wearing jewellery and rocking it. They may be famous, but there is truly no reason why you shouldn’t be able to pull off the same level of style. Anyone sporting a style with the right attitude is difficult to question, and even more difficult to scrutinise. You’d be surprised as well how quickly the compliments you’re sure to get will help your confidence grow. Wearing jewellery can lead to big confidence boosts, and there’s nothing more attractive than confidence.

If you’ve thought about it in the past, hopefully the rollercoaster of 2020 is enough for you to realise that there’s only so much time; you may as well give it a go and see what jewellery can do for you! Don’t shy away from your opportunity to shine and be different. A diamond ring on the hand – whether it’s for your engagement or just a treat to yourself – can make the world of difference when it comes to how you feel about yourself.