Purchasing the groom’s wedding ring can often seem like a non-event, as many couples have the misconception that men’s wedding bands are rather limited in materials and design. Not so – men’s wedding rings are actually quite diverse, and there is no reason why a groom should settle for a “traditional” ring that doesn’t fit his own unique and individual style.
For the groom who likes to be ahead of the curve, here are five great men’s wedding bands that may not be household names yet – but soon will be.
Palladium Rings
For those who want a precious metal wedding band but don’t want to pay platinum prices, palladium rings are a great option. A member of the platinum group metals, palladium is a cousin of sorts to platinum and shares platinum’s naturally lustrous white metal appearance. Comparable in price to 18K gold, most palladium rings are 95% precious metal (compare this to 18K’s 75% purity), making them a worthwhile investment. Palladium has been used as a high quality alloy in jewelry making for hundreds of years, but did not come into its own as a standalone material until World War I, when gold and platinum were reserved for military purposes. Lighter in weight than platinum but also more durable, palladium will no doubt continue its rise as a favored precious metal for wedding bands.
Carbon Fiber Inlay Rings
For men who crave a thoroughly contemporary design, carbon fiber inlay rings offer a distinctly “high tech” look. Carbon fiber inlays are available in a rainbow of colors – from neutral shades like black to boldly hued reds and blues – and often have a subtle geometric pattern. Men’s tungsten wedding bands, cobalt chrome rings, stainless steel wedding bands and titanium rings are most frequently seen with carbon fiber inlays.
Reverse Diamond Eternity Rings
Modern men seeking an added dose of luxury for their wedding bands are increasingly turning to diamond rings. Men’s diamond wedding bands are visibly different than women’s engagement rings and wedding bands: instead of focusing on a single large stone, men’s diamond rings usually utilize multiple smaller stones. As with women’s rings, men’s diamond eternity rings are a favorite option, although a more unusual twist on the classic eternity design is also making the rounds. Reverse diamond eternity rings offer diamonds at both edges rather than as a single line down the center, doubling up on both stones and style.
Cobalt Chrome Wedding Bands
Cobalt chrome wedding rings are currently one of the best kept secrets in the jewelry world. Cobalt chrome is not as well known as other popular contemporary materials like titanium and tungsten, though that may very well soon change. Made from a compound of cobalt and chromium, cobalt chrome is a lustrous silvery white metal that has been used heavily in the medical implant industry due to its biocompatibility and hypoallergenic properties. Available at a fraction of the price of white gold, cobalt chrome never needs to be re-plated, and unlike other contemporary materials, it is resizable. Ultra durable, affordable and similar in appearance to platinum, odds are that cobalt chrome will continue to gain more fans.
Black Wedding Bands
Even as recently as five years ago, black wedding bands would have fallen squarely into the “alternative” category. Over the last couple of years, however, men’s black rings have skyrocketed in both popularity and visibility, and are becoming more and more of a mainstream choice. For men who aren’t quite sold on silver or gold tone rings, black rings offer a sophisticated substitute that is still neutral enough for daily wear. Most black wedding bands are made from tungsten, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic or oxidized silver.
Tanya Naouri writes articles on men’s wedding bands and fashion for grooms for JustMensRings.com.
Photo courtesy of Top News.
