Types of Rings for Men: A Guide to Styles and Metals
While it may seem like women’s rings dominate the jewelry industry, men’s rings are becoming increasingly popular, in demand, and innovative in the fashion world.
Men’s rings can be elegant, rugged, traditional, and anything in between. The fun part about rings is that there is no one single style, material, design, or way to wear them—that’s up to you. Whether you're looking for a men's wedding band to symbolize unity or a bold statement piece, there's something for every guy. Rings and their styling are highly customizable; there’s truly a ring for every outfit.
Interested in incorporating rings into your wardrobe, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place. Explore the best options for any man and discover what fits your style and personality. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through different types of rings for men, sizing suggestions, styling tips, and more.
Introduction to Men’s Rings
Men’s rings are not a recent style development—men have been wearing rings for centuries. Throughout history, men’s rings have been used to signify religion, nobility, lineage, and more. Before the invention of the pen, men wore signet rings on their pinky fingers to conveniently dip their initials or other important symbols into wax before sealing letters or documents.
Nowadays, rings are more aesthetic than useful, and there are a variety of reasons for modern men to wear them. Rings are an easy way to create a polished look, add a seamless pop of color, or adorn your hands with sleek metal. They can be worn every day or only for special occasions, or mixed and matched to create a custom set.
No matter how you wear a men’s ring, one thing’s for sure: it instantly elevates an appearance.
Why Wear a Ring?
In addition to their versatility of style, there are countless reasons for men to wear a ring. While they can certainly be worn purely as a fashion statement, men’s rings can be symbols of:
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Love and partnership
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Achievements or milestones
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Family heritage
Of course, there could be no reason other than personal expression and an appreciation of fine artistry.
Choosing Men's Rings
Aside from the different occasions to wear a ring, choosing a ring often comes down to perusing options that suit your individual style. Men’s rings can be:
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Silver or gold
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Smooth, braided, or engraved
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Colorful or metallic
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Thick or thin
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Symbolic or plain
And the list goes on. When deciding how to style rings, there truly are options for everyone.
Classic Types of Men’s Rings
While you can wear a ring for any occasion or reason, there are some types of rings for men that are more popular than other men’s fashion accessories . If you’re new to rings, understanding these common styles is a good starting point.
Wedding Bands
Wedding bands are perhaps the most common type of men’s rings, intended to be worn after tying the knot. They are an immediate giveaway of a man’s relationship status, as well as a touching everyday reminder of partnership. Wedding bands are usually worn on the aptly named ring finger (right next to the pinky). In the US, men usually wear wedding bands on their left hand, but this differs by country and culture.
Traditional wedding bands are typically minimalistic gold or silver round bands without any adornments. These classic styles are ideal for husbands who don’t like flashy designs and prefer a versatile ring that can be worn every day.
That said, there are lots of modern wedding bands to choose from. Some are elevated versions of traditional styles, such as with a thicker exterior or small detailing. Consider adding diamonds for an elegant touch or integrating different stones to highlight individual style. Even more innovative designs add different patterns, materials, textures, or engravings.
Signet Rings
Remember our fun fact about using signet rings when sealing letters? In the past, signet rings were essentially a wearable signature. A man’s signet ring would have been engraved with his initials, family crest, employment, or other symbolic mark. By dipping the ring into ink or wax, he would have an instant form of identification and a safeguard against document tampering.
Today, men’s signet rings have evolved from a practical tool to a chic accessory. While they aren’t used to sign documents, signet rings can be engraved with custom initials, symbols of associations or universities, or any personalized image you like. They don’t need to have any special significance—you can just enjoy their classic aesthetic and historical nod.
Statement Rings
Go bold or go home with a men’s statement ring. These rings do not have a specific meaning, unlike a wedding band, and instead are worn purely for personal expression. They can include gemstone designs, textured bands, contemporary shapes, and more.
If you accomplish an important goal or hit a meaningful milestone, a statement ring could be a unique reminder of your success. Bold statement rings are also standout fashion pieces, adding a creative yet polished touch to any outfit.
Popular Materials for Men’s Rings
Rings can be made from a variety of materials: gold, silver, white gold, platinum, steel, tungsten, wood, or ceramics. Men typically choose materials based on personal style as well as durability and longevity.
Gold Rings
In addition to the traditional yellow hue, gold is available in a wide variety of colors through a process called alloying—mixing metals with pure gold. Each gold color is achieved by mixing different metals, such as silver or copper, to achieve the desired result.
There are three main types of men's gold jewelry:
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Yellow gold
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White gold
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Rose gold
Each type of gold ring complements different styles. For instance, yellow gold is the warmest tone of the three and pairs well with autumnal colors like red, orange, and beige. Rose gold pairs well with neutrals while white gold is ideal for a cooler color palette.
Silver Rings
Silver is another classic metal for men’s rings. For extra durability, consider sterling silver—just as elegant, but strengthened with additional metals.
Since men's silver jewelry has cool tones, it pairs best with colors like blue, green, and purple. It’s also perfect for the winter months (when cool palettes reign supreme).
Mixed Metal and Alternative Materials
In addition to traditional materials, men’s rings can also be crafted from various other metals. This lends an added artisanal touch and can provide a more personalized look. Alternative options include:
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Mixed metals – Also called alloys, they combine different metals into one formula. Metals are often mixed to improve durability, strength, and corrosion resistance. Examples of mixed metals include brass, bronze, and stainless steel.
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Tungsten – Tungsten is an extremely strong metal, making it a durable choice for men’s rings. It is lustrous, tarnish-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, so it can keep up with an active lifestyle.
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Titanium – For a ring that will last a lifetime, titanium is a strong choice. This durable metal is corrosion and scratch-resistant, yet also light and flexible.
How to Choose the Right Ring Size and Fit
Nothing will deter you from wearing a new ring like choosing the wrong size. Plus, a ring that is too loose is practically asking to get lost.
To find your ring size at home, follow these steps:
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Wrap a soft measuring tape around the base of your finger. If you don’t have a measuring tape, we offer a free ring measuring tool.
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Measure each finger you intend to wear rings on separately—your index finger and pinky will have different sizes.
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Keep in mind that your dominant hand tends to be slightly larger than your non-dominant hand. Measure each one to ensure accurate sizing.
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If you have more prominent knuckles, measure both the base of your knuckle and the base of your finger and choose a size in between.
In some cases, pieces can be made to order to ensure a truly bespoke fit.
And, if you do accidentally order the wrong size, don’t worry—all you need to do is take your ring to a professional jeweler for an upsize or downsize.
Styling Tips for Men’s Rings
Once you’ve selected a ring, it’s time to style it for both casual and formal occasions. Here are some ideas for men’s ring styling:
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Solo rings – Wearing just one ring, whether per hand or in total, is always simple yet classy. A wedding band is the most common ring to wear on its own, but you can also draw attention to any ring by not combining it with other jewelry.
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Multiple rings – Create unique combinations by wearing multiple rings on the same hand. Choose bands in a similar aesthetic vein or mix and match different colors and patterns.
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Stacked rings – Create an edgier look by stacking two or more rings on the same finger. Ring stacking adds instant depth; plus, it’s an easy way to make it look like you put effort into a stylish ensemble.
There is no “right way” to wear a ring—with time, you’ll discover your personal preferences and style goals.
Explore Men’s Rings from John Hardy
Browse bold and subtle designs alike in John Hardy’s men's rings collection. From engraved signets to chain bands, we have the perfect ring for any style.
As a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), John Hardy combines unmatched craftsmanship with responsible practices. All of our jewelry is handmade from ethically sourced gems and 100% reclaimed silver and gold, and all metal scraps generated during production are recycled and melted back down for future pieces.
Browse our men's rings today to discover the meaning of sustainable luxury.
Sources:
Couture Notebook. Men's Rings and Their Place In Style History. https://couturenotebook.com/best-haute-couture-blog/mens-rings-and-history.
Gentleman’s Gazette. Men’s Signet Rings: What They Are & How to Wear Them. https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/signet-ring-primer/.
World Gold Council. Is Gold Jewellery A Good Investment? https://www.gold.org/about-gold/about-gold-jewellery.
Mead Metals. What is an Alloy? https://www.meadmetals.com/blog/what-is-an-alloy.
Live Science. Facts About Tungsten. https://www.livescience.com/38997-facts-about-tungsten.html.
Nippon Steel. Titanium, a Material with nearly infinite Possibilities. https://www.nipponsteel.com/en/product/titan/feature/.