Finding the Perfect Men's Wedding Band

Explore our easy guide to choosing a man's wedding band

The good people at Hoskings know how many decisions need to be made when you’re planning a wedding. Where to have the party of the year? Who’s going to be invited? Who will sit next to your weird aunt? So, we want to make choosing the men's wedding band as straightforward as possible. You’ve probably already spent a heap of time exploring engagement rings and diamonds, so let’s invest some time to learn a little more about the ring you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life.

Finding the perfect men’s wedding band

In the next few minutes, we’ll describe the different types of metal combinations and finishes you can choose for your wedding band. We’ll also help you figure out sizing and tell you how to choose the best width of wedding band to suit your hand. And we’ll share some examples so you can get a great feel for what you like before you’re ready to purchase. Of course, there’s nothing quite like trying the ring on in person, so feel free to pop into any Hoskings store where our friendly team will be delighted to help you find your perfect ring.

Any serious men’s guide to wedding rings needs to talk metals

We’ll take a look at the bling later, but right now, let’s get started by discussing the metal options available for your forever ring. And this conversation needs to start with the most popular of all metals - gold.

Men's gold wedding bands

You’ll notice that gold comes in different carats (“ct”), which is the unit of measurement for the ‘purity’ of the gold. In its ‘purest’ state, gold measures 24cts. It’s rare to see 24ct gold wedding rings however as pure gold is actually quite soft and pliable, making it prone to getting scratched and damaged. In order to make gold rings more durable, the gold is blended with other metals or alloys (a mix of metals) such as copper, platinum, palladium, silver or zinc. This blending of metals also results in changes to the colour of the gold to give us yellow, white and rose gold.

Men's yellow gold wedding bands

Yellow gold is undoubtedly considered THE classic metal for a wedding ring. Its gentle understated colour suits all skin tones and has been the ring of choice for literally thousands of years. And yellow gold shows no sign of losing favour anytime soon with celebrities like Justin Bieber and David Beckham choosing to wear classic yellow gold wedding bands.

Hoskings stocks a fabulous range of yellow gold wedding bands. Our most popular yellow gold bands are the 9ct rings meaning that they contain 37.5% of pure gold, just like this elegant men’s wedding band. 

Men's white gold wedding bands

White gold wedding bands have gained popularity in recent years. The white colour is achieved by mixing pure gold with palladium, nickel and/or silver, or sometimes copper and zinc. White gold rings are often plated (or covered) with rhodium to ensure additional durability.

Though white gold is thought of as a shiny metal, however it also comes in a range of finishes like this stunning Peter W Beck 9ct white gold band with a matte-look brushed finish. It's worth noting that white gold requires a little extra maintenance to keep its brilliant colour.

Rose gold men's wedding band

The colour of romance, our rose gold wedding bands are very popular with many of our brides and we’re seeing more and more interest from blokes. This beautiful colour is achieved by a yellow gold and copper blend.

If you want to find a complimentary match to your life partner’s rose gold rings but aren’t sure about going full-on rose gold, this contemporary zirconium and 9ct rose gold wedding band is the perfect solution.

Titanium, stainless steel and zirconium wedding bands

Although gold has been the gold standard (‘scuse the pun) for wedding rings for many years, there are some newer kids on the block that offer a great alternative. Men’s platinum wedding rings are becoming increasingly popular despite their high cost. At Hoskings we’re huge fans of durable and affordable metals such as titanium, zirconium and stainless steel.   

Men's zirconium wedding rings

One of our favourites, Zirconium, is an element that’s not mined in its natural form but is obtained by purifying other minerals such as zircon with chlorine. Zirconium is often heat treated and oxidised to give it a rich black colour that won’t fade or tarnish over time. And because it’s easy to work with it comes in various finishes, such as a brushed, hammered or polished finish. It’s also great for people with allergies or sensitive skin. And it looks ah-mah-zing!! Just take a peek at this contemporary zirconium and yellow gold masterpiece.

Men's titanium wedding bands

Titanium is recognised as the element with the highest strength-to-weight ratio, making it super durable. It’s corrosion resistant and because it’s naturally hypoallergenic, it won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. It’s light to wear, so it’s a good option if you want to choose a wider band like this stunning 7mm titanium wedding band from Peter W Beck.

Men's stainless steel rings

Stainless steel is one of the most versatile metals, being used in architecture, kitchen tools and even in building airplanes! It’s actually a mix of iron, carbon, and chromium. It’s a great choice for our sustainable jewellery wearers as it’s 100% recyclable and its production requires less energy and creates less waste than most other metals. Because it’s scratch-resistant and is great for everyday wear, it’s a fantastic option for an affordable wedding ring. The only thing buyers need to be wary of, is that repeated exposure to chlorine can cause corrosion.

Metal combinations for wedding bands

As you’ll already have seen in some of the examples above, you don’t have to choose just one metal for your wedding band. We stock a range of different metal combinations and some exclusive finishes to make sure your ring is unique to you. Maybe you want a gold band, but want something a little different from the norm?  This sophisticated Peter W Beck men’s gold wedding band showcases a stunning 9ct yellow gold with a brushed centre.

How about a mix of white and yellow gold? Then this 9ct 2-tone wedding band with a brushed yellow gold centre and polished white gold edges might be ‘the one’? Or, why stop at one type of metal when you can choose something like this stunning 8mm wide Peter W Beck wedding band that’s been expertly crafted from zirconium and 9ct rose gold?

Finding the perfect fit

Once you’ve chosen your preferred metal, next you need to decide on the width of the band and make sure you’ve got a good fit. Generally speaking, men’s wedding bands start from a narrower width of 4mm and go up to 9mm. There’s no right or wrong here, but typically blokes with smaller hands and thin fingers will choose a narrower band, while men with larger hands tend to choose wider bands.

We think the very best way to decide which width suits you is to pop into Hoskings and try them on so you can see which looks best and feels most comfortable. And while you’re in-store, we’ll measure your finger so that we can ensure your preferred wedding ring will fit you perfectly.

What about men’s engagement rings?

It’s probably a good time to mention engagement rings too right? No longer a women-only domain, men are realising it’s about time they got in on the engagement ring action. Of course, men’s engagement rings are a little different to their female counterparts. We’ve found the most popular engagement ring look for men has a strong emphasis on the band with just a little bling like this elegant 9ct yellow gold gents tapered band with a diamond set in the centre.

Which finger to wear wedding ring for men?

Good question! Here in Australia, we’re used to seeing most married folk wear their engagement and wedding rings on their 4^th finger (closest to the pinky) on their left hand. But every culture is different. For example, in many north and eastern European countries such as Poland, Russia, Denmark and Norway as well as some Mediterranean counties like Spain, Greece and Portugal, you’ll see more people wear their wedding rings on their right hand.

When should you buy a men’s wedding band?

At Hoskings, we supply a wonderful range of men’s wedding bands in store and online, so sometimes you’ll find exactly what you want straight away. But the truly magnificent range of Peter W Beck rings means that there are even more rings with different combinations of metals and different finishes available that can be ordered for you in your specific size.

We reckon it’s best to order your wedding band at least 8 weeks before your wedding day.

Engraving your wedding ring

Let’s face it, your wedding ring is probably the most significant piece of jewellery you’ll ever wear so it’s a nice touch to have it engraved with some special words. Traditionally couples would have their names and the date of their wedding engraved on their wedding ring, but we like to make it a little more personal.

At Hoskings we offer our customers a personalised engraving service on all made to order Peter W Beck wedding bands. You can choose from different fonts or even use your own or your partner’s handwriting to write your message on the inside or outside of your ring. Some of our customers write the date they met, where the proposal happened or even a special phrase or quote from their wedding vows.

Because we know it’s the little details that makes the difference.

That’s why at Hoskings we delight in helping you choose a men’s wedding band for your big day and your happy ever after.

Written by Niamh Hislop

Cover Image: Alvin Mahmudov – Unsplash