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Men's engagement rings

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Do men wear 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.

Our selection of men's engagement rings

Browse through our curated selection of men’s engagement rings.

A Historical Glimpse: Engagement Rings and Men

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.

Why the Shift?

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.

Men's bespoke engagement rings

Mens wedding ring on hand

Modern Trends in Men’s Engagement Rings

As demand for men’s engagement rings grows, jewellery designs are becoming more innovative and varied:

Customisation: Engravings, unique designs and personal touches make each ring one of a kind.

Matching Sets: Shared or coordinated designs for both partners emphasise unity.

Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials and sustainably sourced gems are becoming increasingly more popular choices.

Global Acceptance and Cultural Shifts

While the trend of men wearing engagement rings is gaining momentum in the West, cultures in Scandinavia and South America have been embracing it for ages.

Elsewhere, engagement ceremonies often involve mutual exchanges of rings, showcasing the global diversity of this practice.

Looking Ahead

Male engagement rings are expected to become even more mainstream, aided by growing open-mindedness and customisation practices in the jewellery market.

Social media and the public sharing their engagement stories continue to normalise this practice, encouraging couples to celebrate commitment in ways that best suit them.

Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Bands

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.

Diamond engagement rings

Breaking Stereotypes: Diamonds and Masculinity

Naturally, diamonds aren’t just for women. Whether a sleek solitaire or a bold black diamond, these gemstones make powerful statements in men’s engagement rings. A diamond’s enduring brilliance perfectly symbolises eternal love and commitment.

Things are changing. And we’re here for it. Our selection of men’s engagement rings are designed as reinterpretations of the classic wedding band, with a unique flair that incorporates high-quality materials, including stunning diamonds and gemstones.

For someone looking to propose to the love of their life, our selection of rings has you covered.

What does an engagement ring mean to a man?

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.

Yellow gold wedding ring blue princess shaped sapphires copy

What ring style should I choose for a man?

Typically, men’s wedding rings are quite simple in design, usually a gold or platinum band of varying widths. This is the style that is associated with male engagement rings. However, there’s a difference between a wedding band and an engagement ring. A male engagement ring can have a design with more character and presence than a wedding band.

A gold band could be embellished with a row of diamond pavé, or feature a simple solitaire diamond with a subtle bezel setting within the band. Black diamonds are also popular, as they contrast nicely with metal. Bright gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires also make a beautiful addition to a contemporary gold band, adding expressive colour into the mix. Choose a ring design that you feel best suits his style.

Chunky platinum band emerald baguette diamonds

When choosing a ring for someone, it’s important to think about their lifestyle and how practical your favourite design would be for the wearer. If your partner has a labour-intensive job, then a diamond wedding band or a ring with many gemstones might not be the most practical option, unless they are securely set in either a bezel or channel set pavé.

Those who don’t work with their hands much can safely wear rings that feature gemstones in claws, or use softer gemstones such as emeralds.

There are many possibilities of personalisation with rings that can help make your design and style of the ring even more distinctive.

What metal is best for a men's engagement ring?

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.

What ring profile and width should I choose for a man?

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.

Bevel profile ring

Bevelled

A contemporary look, the bevelled ring profile suits those who like a flat ring with a dynamic edge.

D-shape profile ring

D-Shape

For those who enjoy a softer look, the D shape profile is similar to a court ring, but the inside of the ring is flat and sits flush on the finger. The D shape profile ring can be set with diamonds and gemstones to personalise the ring.

Flat profile ring

Flat

The flat shaped profile is a classic, perfect for those who prefer a minimal look. Accentuate this shape with square gemstones to add flair to the ring.

How do you find out the correct size for your men's engagement ring?

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.

Woman propose

Proposing to Him: A Changing Dynamic

When selecting a man’s engagement ring, consider his style, lifestyle, and preferences:

Materials: Platinum and 18ct gold are durable and hypoallergenic.

Design: Subtle engravings, gemstone accents, or bold shapes add character.

Practicality: Secure settings like bezel or channel-set stones suit active lifestyles.

There’s no rulebook that says only men propose. Women and LGBTQ+ partners are increasingly embracing the opportunity to propose with a ring. These moments celebrate love in its many forms, challenging outdated gender norms and creating new traditions.

LGBTQ+ relationships and proposals

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?

Relationships and proposals

Celebrity men’s engagement rings

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.

 

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A Symbol of Evolving 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.

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