Men’s Wedding Rings & Bands – Your Ultimate Guide

Somehow you met the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with… and they said yes! The easy part is officially over.

From here on out, you’ve got a wedding to help plan. While you might be knee-deep in flowers, cakes, and seating charts, there’s one thing we can help you take care of – your wedding band.

“But what with so many rings online, where do I start?”. That’s probably what you’re saying right now. First, stop talking to the screen… it’s strange. Secondly, we’ve created a guide to help with a decision that you'll live with (and wear) until death does you part.

We’ll take you through all the steps involved in buying your wedding band, from finding your size to keeping it clean. Read on for everything you didn’t know you needed to know about men’s wedding bands and how to find the one to tell your story.

When it comes to shopping for a man’s wedding ring or band, choosing the width is the first step. While rings and bands come in a variety of widths, we’re going to focus on the most popular styles: 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm.

• Slim size wedding rings and bands – 4mm (3/16")
• Medium wedding rings and bands – 6mm (1/4")
• Wide wedding rings and bands – 8mm (5/16")

If you’re no stranger to rings, then you probably already have a good idea of the width you’re after. Take a look at your collection and decide on a width that you could see yourself wearing every day – forever. You want the width to be comfortable enough for daily wear without getting in the way of your work.

If you’re new to rings, or if you’re shopping for your partner, we’ve found that most men buy wedding bands and rings that are at least 8mm. As a general rule, men with longer or larger fingers feel more comfortable with an 8mm, while guys with shorter and slimmer fingers prefer a 6mm.

Now that the width is out of the way, it’s time for the fun part… choosing the metal. Obviously, this affects the way your wedding band looks, but more than that, it influences the price and how you take care of it.

Before going any further, are you looking for a ring that will match your partner’s? If yes, then that takes care of it. Choose the exact same metal and you’re done. If an exact match isn’t your thing, you can still compliment your partner with a matching color, matching engraving, or a matching finish.

Since the wedding band you choose will sit on your finger, you don’t want one that’ll be uncomfortable, cause an allergic reaction, or lose its shape when you bang it against something hard… accidentally, of course.

Pure gold wedding bands are soft, lose their shape easily, and are expensive. Most high-quality gold rings are 18 karat – meaning that 18/24 or three-quarters of the alloy (a mixture of metals) is gold. For the look of gold, without the price tag, check for gold-plated rings.

• Pros: Classic and traditional for weddings, doesn’t tarnish easily
• Cons: Expensive, pure gold wedding bands can lose their shape easily

Platinum is a rare, dense metal and more valuable than gold. In addition to its rarity, platinum is an excellent choice for a man’s wedding band because it's strong and durable in a way that gold can never be.

• Pros: Durable and strong, hypoallergenic for sensitive skin
• Cons: Expensive, can be heavy due to its density

Titanium is a strong metal that is surprisingly lightweight. A titanium wedding band will weigh about ⅕ that of a platinum ring. If you’re new to wearing rings or worried about the feeling of a heavy ring, a titanium wedding band is a solid option.

• Pros: Lightweight, very strong, resistant to bending
• Cons: Can be expensive, difficult to resize

Most silver used to make wedding bands for men is 925 silver or sterling silver. This means that 92.5% of the metal is silver with the remainder being copper. Unlike pure silver, which is soft, the addition of copper makes sterling silver hard and tough and a great choice for a wedding ring.

• Pros: Classic choice for a wedding band, strong, cheaper than gold
• Cons: Prone to tarnishing, can bend and scratch with daily wear

Next to diamonds, tungsten is the strongest material on earth. Unless you know where to buy wedding bands made from Vibranium, titanium is as close as you’ll get to unbreakable. Tungsten is also extremely scratch-resistant and affordable. Tungsten wedding bands won’t bend out of shape.... so, in an accident, the ring will not become deformed and injure your finger.

• Pros: Hypoallergenic, extremely strong and scratch-resistant
• Cons: Difficult to resize, with extreme impact it can break (not bend)

While gold, platinum and silver are classic wedding band materials, they come with a price tag to match.

To us, a men’s wedding band is about the commitment behind it. The promise you make to your partner. To match the strength of that bond, you need a wedding ring equally as strong and still affordable.

When you hear stainless steel, you probably think of kitchen appliances – not jewelry. But for durability and quality, as well as the way it looks, stainless steel is one alternative to traditional platinum and gold wedding rings that you should consider.

After all, if it’s strong enough to build the Empire State Building, it can handle whatever you throw at it.

The 2 most commonly used types of stainless steel in men’s wedding bands are:

• 304 Stainless Steel – Rings and wedding bands made from 304 stainless steel have very high oxidation and corrosion resistance, meaning they won’t rust. It’s also considered hypoallergenic.
• 316L Stainless Steel – For a higher quality of steel, 316L stainless steel is used. It’s often called surgical-grade steel because it’s used to manufacture surgical instruments and is hypoallergenic. While chlorine and saltwater can harm stainless steel, 316L has a greater resistance to corrosion than other types. Good news if you forget to remove your ring before taking a swim.

Don’t let the durability of a stainless steel wedding band fool you. Despite its strength, it’s an extremely lightweight metal. That’s good for a ring that you plan on wearing every day.

While every country has its wedding customs and traditions, there’s one feature that connects most of them – price. Weddings are expensive. In addition to stainless steel wedding bands being resistant to rust and tarnish, they are also affordable.

In its natural silver-tone, you’ll get the look of a silver or platinum wedding band without the matching price tag. The same goes for a gold-tone or gold-plated stainless steel ring – the strength of steel with the look of gold, without paying a fortune.

But don’t let all this talk of strength, durability, and resistance get you too excited. Wedding bands made with stainless steel are still pieces of jewelry and must be treated with care. The Kryptonite of stainless steel wedding rings is chlorine. Stainless steel is sensitive to chlorine and should be taken off before swimming in chlorinated water or it could lose its shine.

Speaking of shine, when it comes to men’s wedding bands of any metal, there are several finishes to choose from.

1. Polished Finish – Polish (or high polish) is the classic choice for a man’s wedding band and describes rings with a smooth, reflective finish. You should be able to see your reflection in the band. Its drawback is that scratches show easily.
2. Matte or Satin Finish – Rings and wedding bands with a matte or satin finish are also smooth to the touch but aren’t as reflective as polished wedding rings. Think of it as a foggy mirror – it diffuses light rather than reflecting it. It’s better at hiding faint scratches.
3. Brushed Finish – For an active lifestyle, a men’s wedding band with a brushed finish is the best choice because it hides scratches better than others. This style is created by using a wire brush to give a subtle texture. It has the same soft shine that a matte finish has.
4. Combination or Mixed Finish – Men’s wedding bands with a combination finish combine 2 types into one piece. It’s often a mix of a polished finish with satin details. Mixing 2 or more types of finishing gives your wedding ring extra texture and makes it stand out from other rings out there.
5. Hammered Finish – This style of finishing gets its name from the tiny dents around the ring. The texture looks like it was made by hitting the band with a hammer. You’ll still get the shine of a polished ring but with extra texture that keeps it from being too bright.
6. Detailed Finish – This isn’t necessarily a finish – it’s more the additions that you can find in many men’s wedding bands. Adding small stones, wood or engraved details makes your wedding ring even more unique and true to your story.

Damascus rings and wedding bands are made by folding 2 types of stainless steel together. Each Damascus steel ring has a unique pattern that resembles wood grain or flowing water.

Most Damascus steel rings are handmade. That’s something that may affect the price, and it’s something to consider when looking for a truly one-of-a-kind wedding band.

The technique used to make Damascus steel rings and bands is the same that was used to make welded swords in ancient Japan and the Middle East (where the name Damascus comes from).

Even the Vikings used Damascus steel to make swords. (We Danes can’t help but mention Vikings every chance we get.)

While you won’t wield your ring like a Japanese samurai’s katana, your Damascus steel ring can handle whatever life throws at it without rusting. As with all stainless steel, Damascus steel rings have an Achilles heel – chlorine and saltwater. Take it off before diving in and your wedding band will look as epic as the story you’re telling.

Damascus Steel Rings Pros & Cons
Pros

• Strength with roots in the Viking age
• Easy to care for and keep clean
• Unique design

Cons

• Difficult to resize
• Must avoid chlorine and saltwater
• More expensive than other stainless steel types

Whether you're looking for something simple, like a polished stainless steel band, or something with a little more pizzazz (but not too much since you'll wear it every day), the most important factor is the fit.

Finding the perfect fit is like finding the perfect partner. Don’t cut corners.

Just because the ring slides on your finger doesn’t mean that it’s the correct size. If the wedding band is too big, it can slide off when you’re washing your hands. If it’s too small, you can cut off or harm blood circulation.

To find the right size for your wedding band, start by downloading our Ring Sizing Guide here or order a ring sizer belt. Once you’ve found your size by one of the methods in the guide, check the sizing chart to find what size wedding ring to shop for.

For greater accuracy, measure your finger when you aren’t too cold or too hot. Heat causes swelling and cold makes your finger slimmer than normal.

Also, remember to measure at the end of the day when your finger is likely the largest it’s going to be. In the morning, you’ll find that your fingers are smaller. Go ahead and test it tomorrow and see!

Wait… you thought you were done? Choosing a wedding band isn’t all about the looks – it has to be wearable, too. Here’s a breakdown of 4 of the most popular band styles.

1. Classic Court or Comfort Fit Bands – This style of men’s wedding band is rounded on the inside and out. It’s commonly known as the ‘Comfort Fit’ because it wears comfortably on your finger and slides on and off with relative ease. And since a wedding band is something you won’t take off often, it’s all about comfort. Known also as ‘Full Court ‘and ‘Traditional Court’, it's the most common shape and style of ring.
2. D-Shape or Dome Bands – This style of ring is just as popular as Full Court bands. Unlike a Classic Court, the outside of a D-Shaped band is round, while the inside is flat. This gives it a dome shape on top… or a D. D-shaped bands are perfect for men wanting a closer fit without sacrificing the traditional shape of a Comfort Fit band. Dome-shaped bands, like the classic court, are less likely to get caught on clothing or machinery.
3. Flat Ring – Flat bands and rings are exactly what the name says… flat. Designed flat both inside and out, flat bands are known for being comfortable to wear but are more likely to catch on clothing and machinery.
4. Flat Court Bands – You can think of Flat Court Rings like an inverted D-shaped band – with a flat outside and a round inside.

In the age of quick tweets and emojis, thoughts fade quickly. That makes an engraved men’s wedding band even more personal and permanent. Think of it as one more way to show your love, commemorate the moment and make your ring that much more unique.

You know who you are and what story you want to tell. Your wedding band should reflect that and there are endless ways to personalize it. Engrave the date of your wedding or your fiancé’s initials. Personalize with the GPS coordinates of the place where you first met or use a word that encapsulates your story.

At Trendhim, we offer laser engraving on the inside of most bands to make your wedding that much more special.

Not sure what to write? Check out over 30 engraving ideas here.

Your story is different from the next guy’s and your wedding band should be too. If you’re not interested in the traditional route, check out 2 of our favorite options for unique alternative wedding bands.

Not only are silicone bands comfortable to wear, they’re also super lightweight, flexible, and safe to wear to the gym or when you’re working with your hands. And there’s no need to take a silicone band off in the shower or at the pool because it’s waterproof. Take that, metals.

Plus, silicone wedding bands are non-conductive and safe for those working around electricity and lightning. Thor would be happy.

Wearing a ceramic wedding band is an experience in itself. These are designed so lightweight that it may feel like you’re not wearing anything at all. Good news for a ring that you’ll wear daily.

Since ceramics are non-metallic, they don’t cause problems for people with skin allergies and are therefore hypoallergenic. Ceramic bands and rings are also non-conductive and you won't have to remove them to avoid injury or damage to electronic equipment.

No matter the type of wedding band you decide on – from tungsten and titanium wedding bands to gold or stainless steel – it’s important to keep it clean. The following method is safe for most types of wedding bands, meaning that it won’t damage any jewels or stones (if your ring has those) or scratch the metal.

1. Pour warm water in a small bowl and add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap.
2. Dip a soft, lint-free cloth in the soapy water and gently wipe the ring until it's clean. You can also use a soft toothbrush to help.
3. Rinse the wedding band with clean warm water and use your finger to rub away any soapy residue.
4. Dry the ring well with a clean towel and let it air dry before wearing it.

Trendhim has a wide range of men’s wedding rings and bands in stainless steel, ceramic, silicone, and titanium.

Men’s wedding bands are also referred to as wedding rings. They are worn on the ring finger of your left hand as an indication that you’re married and off the market.

Bands are generally plain and have less design than a ring. Men’s bands are also a subset of rings and the 2 words are often used interchangeably.

Most British men wear their wedding band on their left ring finger. It’s traditional to wear them on the fourth finger in the UK, but not a set-in-stone rule.

Anything that breaks with tradition would be considered a unique men’s wedding band. Try silicone, rubber, or even ceramic wedding bands for something different. Or look for one in durable stainless steel with a pattern or engraving that sets it apart.

The same goes for color. For a truly unique men’s wedding band, go for a blue, red, or even black. These aren’t the normal colors and add to the non-traditional style you’re after.