Round
Oval
Emerald Cut
Marquise
Pear
Rose Cut
Rings aren't just another piece of jewelry. They're tokens, artifacts, one-of-a-kind objects that represent something real and true about the person who wears them. They tell a story -- your story. It is this story, in your ring, that can be passed down for generations, something your children treasure the same way you treasure your grandfather's watch or your grandmother's china. Every ring should be as special as the person who wears it.
Men's Wedding Ring Trends
One of the biggest trends in men's wedding rings in recent years has been a shift toward more unique, nontraditional styles and materials. The move towards alternative men's rings is fueled, at least in part, by a desire to have a ring that truly means something to the wearer.
In the world of metal rings, a shift has been occurring toward alternative metals. Silver and yellow gold rings will probably never go out of style completely, but today's ring wearer can choose options ranging from tungsten carbide to titanium alloys and carbon fiber.
Materials for Alternative Men's Rings
Men today have more options than ever when it comes to choosing alternative wedding ring materials. Here we’ll focus on a couple popular alternative metals: titanium and tungsten.
Titanium
Titanium is one of the best alternative wedding band materials because of how durable and lightweight it is. If you’re an active, busy guy who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time worrying about ring maintenance, titanium can be an excellent choice because it is scratch-resistant, tarnish-resistant and easy to clean. Titanium is also a poor conductor of heat and electricity, meaning you don’t need to worry (too much) about sticking your finger where it doesn’t belong.
Most titanium rings are hypoallergenic, as they rarely contain cobalt or nickel, the two most common metal allergens. In terms of affordability, titanium rings are usually cheaper than gold, platinum and palladium rings, but tend to be more expensive than other materials like wood and leather.
Tungsten
Tungsten rings are actually made out of tungsten carbide (tungsten plus carbon), not pure tungsten. Being a highly dense metal with a hardness ranked slightly below that of diamond, tungsten rings are scratch-resistant and highly durable. Like titanium, tungsten is a more affordable metal than gold or platinum, though the price depends largely on the grade of tungsten used. Low-grade tungsten (smaller percentage of tungsten and carbon) is of lower quality and, consequently, is cheaper than high-grade tungsten. Low-grade tungsten also contains more nickel, resulting in a greater allergy risk.
While it is extremely hard and resistant to bending and scratching, it is also vulnerable to high pressures, breaking into pieces if enough force is applied to it. For this reason, tungsten rings are difficult to resize. Thanks to its resistance to bending, tungsten rings are a popular choice for men who frequently work with their hands.
Other Custom Ring Materials
We have crafted custom rings from countless materials supplied to us by our customers. We've crafted elk antler wedding rings using naturally shed antlers harvested from the forest floor. Our customers have brought in rose petals, Scottish tartan cloth, antique rifle stock wood, brass bullets, heirloom wedding bands, butterfly wings, abalone shell, a variety of unique gemstones, WWI uniform wool, and coffee beans from their favorite coffee shop.
Another unique material that we frequently use at Rustic and Main is whiskey barrels from distilleries across America and around the world, such as Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Jameson, Lagavulin and many others.
Alternative Men's Ring Styles
Depending on the ring material, there are a number of important factors to take into account when deciding on an alternative ring style. These stylistic factors include the wedding band structure, finish, detailing and whether or not an inlay will be incorporated.
Common ring finishes, particularly with metal rings, include a shiny polish, subtle satin, flat matte or a grainy, sand-blasted look. Structurally, you can go with a straight-edged, curveless ring which is catching on with the minimalist crowd. There are also the traditional, domed rings that most people know and love, or the unusual, concave shape that will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Ring detailing includes carvings, engravings and the use of gemstones to make your alternative ring look truly alternative.
Rings can also be styled with certain types of inlays. An inlay is an ornamental strip that runs along the outside circumference of the ring. They can be made of anything from elk antler to gold to turquoise. There are 8 different inlay placements that we use at Rustic and Main:
Layout Options
3-Inlay Narrow Center
2-Inlay Offset
Single Center Inlay
2-Inlay Half & Half
3-Inlay Metal Center
3-Inlay Wide Center
Single Offset Inlay
Wide Single Channel (Ladies)
Shapes, Sizes and Fits
With all the options for different ring materials and styles, it's easy to overlook one of the most crucial aspects of your wedding ring: how it fits. Sizing your wedding ring just right not only provides a comfortable fit, but it can also ensure the ring looks good on your finger.
Wedding Band Width
It can be difficult trying to figure out your wedding band width but it doesn’t have to be. Metal wedding bands are generally between 4 mm and 7 mm wide. Wood and some other alternative men's rings are typically a bit wider than metal wedding bands, ranging in width from approximately 5.5 mm to 9 mm. Band width is a matter of personal preference, but wider rings look best on men with larger hands, while narrower bands are good for men with slimmer fingers.
Sizing Your Ring
There are a couple of ways to get your ring size. The most effective way is to work with the business from whom you plan to purchase your ring, as each ring crafter will likely have specific sizing techniques depending on the style of ring they are creating for you.
The second method involves using a ring sizer. Resembling a giant keychain full of rings, you start with a ring size you think will be too large and work your way down. The idea is to find the size that's loose enough to fit over your knuckle, but not so loose that you can easily shake it off.
Note, many makers of wood wedding rings are not able to resize their rings, but because rings at Rustic and Main are made from bentwood instead of drilling, we are able to offer minor resizes. We will need to see the ring to be certain, but we are typically able to make adjustments up to a half size smaller and a quarter size larger.
Comfort Fit vs Standard Fit
There are two basic styles when it comes to how wedding rings fit: standard fit and comfort fit. Standard rings have a flat inner surface that sits snugly against your finger, while comfort fit rings have a beveled inside edge. This makes comfort fit rings easier to slide on and off, and for many ring wearers (especially men with thick fingers or large knuckles) makes them more comfortable.
Tell Your Story
Our ring artisans at Rustic and Main take pride in creating one-of-a-kind rings that incorporate a wide range of materials. We make our rings one at a time, with a hands-on process that maintains quality control while ensuring that no two rings are alike. By utilizing unique materials found in nature, we can make wedding rings that represent your interests and passions, all while looking great.
A wedding ring should always be personal, and there are materials out there for every type of guy. Customizing your wedding ring using nontraditional materials and modern designs, your alternative wedding band can tell your story the way you want it told. Discover which ring style, shape and material are most suitable for you by taking our short ring style quiz!
If you would like further guidance on your wedding ring journey, our team would be honored to meet with you. Schedule a free virtual or in-person appointment at our Huntersville showroom close to Charlotte, NC. We hope to see you soon!
