Men's engagement rings

Engagement rings have predominantly been associated with women’s jewellery, but changing cultural norms have been slowly redefining this practice. Today, the growing popularity of men wearing engagement rings reflects evolving perspectives on gender roles, equality and the significance of sharing these relationship symbols.

The history of engagement rings is rich and varied. In ancient Rome and Egypt, both men and women occasionally wore rings as symbols of love and commitment, though the practice later became mostly associated with women. The diamond engagement ring, as we know it, emerged in the 20th century and was popularised by specially constructed marketing campaigns.

However, in countries like Sweden, Brazil and Argentina, both partners have exchanged rings to mark their engagement for a while now. These traditions offer a foundation for the growing acceptance of men’s engagement rings in Western cultures today.

The rise of men wearing engagement rings can be attributed to several factors:

Gender Equality: As relationships become 50/50 partnerships more egalitarian, couples often prefer shared symbols of commitment.

Non-heterosexual Marriages: LGBTQ+ couples have popularised the mutual exchange of engagement rings, highlighting inclusivity in engagement traditions.

Personal Preference: Men increasingly choose engagement rings to reflect their style and signify their relationship status publicly.

Cultural Shifts: Media and celebrity influence have helped popularise the trend. Michael Bublé received his from his wife, who comes from Argentina, where it’s customary for men to receive their own rings to celebrate the engagement. Ed Sheeran wears his engagement ring that was lovingly handmade by his partner. Even Ryan Reynolds has hopped on this new tradition.

While both rings are meaningful, their symbolism and design differ:

Engagement Rings: Often intricate, featuring gemstones or unique details, they symbolise the proposal and commitment to marry.

Wedding Bands: Traditionally simpler, exchanged during the ceremony to signify lifelong unity.

Men’s engagement rings bridge the gap between minimalism and personal flair, blending lasting materials with contemporary aesthetics.

An engagement ring is a symbol of promise and commitment, and the result of a proposal from one person to another. No matter how you identify, an engagement ring is a symbol of a mutual agreement to spend the rest of your lives together. Shaped as a circle, a ring is a metaphor for an unbroken bond, and for a love that lasts for an eternity.

Because you’ll be wearing the ring every day, a hard-wearing and high-quality metal is best. We recommend 18ct yellow gold or 18ct rose gold for those who are looking for warmer tones in their engagement rings. If you’re wanting a cooler tone of metal, we recommend platinum. Gold and platinum make excellent engagement rings because they’re robust and keep their lustre over time. They’re also hypoallergenic, which means that they shouldn’t irritate your skin or react with other metals.

The width and style of ring profile is completely up to the personal choice and style of the wearer. In terms of width, men typically choose between 3mm and 6mm. However, if you would like to wear something more refined, we make engagement rings with band widths as slim as 1.6mm.

Choosing the ring profile depends completely on their personal style, or the style of your significant other. Some prefer the rounded, softer shapes of a Court or a D shape band, while others prefer the sharper edges of a flat or bevelled band.

If your ring for your partner is a secret, it can be tricky trying to figure out his correct ring size.

In UK sizing, the average size of a man’s wedding ring finger is a size Q. If your partner has smaller hands, he could be closer to an N. If your partner has larger hands, he could be closer to an T.

There are ways of getting someone’s ring size discreetly. Get a friend to try rings on with him and report back, or if he already owns rings, measure those for reference.

If you still aren’t sure, rest assured that most rings can be resized. We offer a complimentary resize upon purchase, so if it isn’t perfect, we can easily fix the size of the ring.

Queer couples already know that typical gender roles need not apply, which is what makes the proposal all the more exciting. Just think about what makes your loving relationship unique and try to come up with a proposal plan that honours who you are as people. What we do know is that everyone loves a good proposal story, so make it count.

We’ve helped couples from all across the queer community find their perfect forever rings. What could be more romantic?

Men’s engagement rings are increasingly becoming a trend, with more men feeling at ease with expressing themselves through fine jewellery. For the rich and famous, a simple gold wedding band just won’t do. For celebrities such as Micheal Bublé and Ed Sheeran, a special ring is the perfect accessory to express their love for their partners.

Brooklyn Beckham’s gold promise ring features a 0.5ct baguette diamond set in an 18ct yellow gold wedding band.

When you’re dating Marc Jacobs, you can expect nothing less than total glamour in your engagement ring. Jacobs had an eternity band designed especially for Char Defrancesco, and it features a full row of emerald cut diamonds with a total carat weight of 17ct. The design carries special meaning as eternity bands are symbolic of a never-ending love.

Men’s engagement rings embody the progress of modern relationships. They’re symbols of equality, individuality and mutual appreciation. Whether you’re designing a bespoke ring or choosing a piece from a curated collection, the goal is to celebrate your unique bond and shared future.

At Taylor & Hart, we offer a contemporary selection of men’s engagement rings, designed to reflect every style and story. From subtle bands to bold statement pieces, explore our collection or create a bespoke design that’s as unique as your love.