Men Only: The Essential Guide to Engagement Rings

Men are capable of great things but if there’s one thing we’re not very good with its weddings, and more generally, anything to do with getting married! This normally includes picking the perfect engagement ring.

Whilst we are just as keen and equally as excited as the fairer sex, most men are simply lost at sea when it comes to anything marital. That’s why we have created this essential guide to engagement rings, to help you men in your most important hour of need - shopping for an engagement ring.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring for your partner is a very challenging decision as it will be one that you have to live with for the rest of your life. When you’re shopping for an engagement ring you must consider many things – think about the ring’s shape, colour, setting, and crucially, consider how much you’re going to splash out on such an important purchase.  

If you’re stuck for inspiration and don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a guide to choosing an engagement ring that’s based on asking yourself the following questions:

How much should you spend?

This burning question has us men on the edge of our seats but at the end of the day you can only spend what you can afford and what you’re comfortable with. Tradition suggests that you should spend between one and three month’s salary on an engagement ring.

What setting?

Once you have ascertained a rough budget for the ring, the nest step is choosing a setting. There are two main types of setting; claw and bezel.

Claw setting

This setting holds the diamond in place with ‘claws’. This setting style allows light to travel freely through and around the diamond enhancing the natural shine and sparkle of it. This style emphasises the most important part of the ring, the diamond.

Bezel setting

This setting creates a collar around the diamond. Whilst claw settings are more popular as they are viewed as traditional, bezel settings are modern and contemporary. Bezel settings provide better protection for your diamond so it’s often a favourite for those with active lives.

Which metal?

To decide which metal you want for your engagement ring, it’s often advisable to consider which colour you prefer. Think about which colour your partner would choose by basing it on the colours she (or he) already wears day to day.  

When it comes to engagement rings, there are typically four options available:

Yellow gold
Rose gold
White gold
Platinum

Coloured Golds

Yellow, rose and white gold are all real gold. When gold is used to produce jewellery, pure gold is not used as it’s too soft. Instead of using pure gold, alloys of other metals (such as silver and palladium) are added to it. It is the type of alloy used that determines the gold’s colour.

All colours retain the same amount of pure gold so their cost and quality characteristics are very similar.

Platinum

Platinum is a more precious, heavier, hardwearing and expensive metal than white gold. And unlike white gold platinum remains white and shiny for its lifetime.

Carat Gold

18 carat gold is the most popular choice when it comes to engagement rings as it contains 75% pure gold and is the best quality for making rings.

9 carat gold is another popular yet more affordable choice for engagement rings but the pure gold percentage is reduced to 38%.

Jason Keith, who kindly contributed this piece to the SX Lifestyle Hub, hopes you feel better prepared for your decision after reading this guide to choosing the right engagement ring and wishes you all the best with your proposal! Check out his wedding jewellery design business.