Which Men's Ring Works For You? 5 Different Metals and Why They Matter
Stuck on finding your perfect band?
You might think that extensive options for wedding bands are only geared toward women, but you'd be surprised at how many different types of men's wedding rings there are on the market. The problem lies in knowing what metal appeals to your personal preference and what works best with your lifestyle.
Titanium Steel – The Titan
The Metal: This ring is the best of both worlds: it's ultra-lightweight but made from extremely durable metal. Titanium is lighter than silver, gold and Damascus steel. In addition, titanium is highly resistant to corrosion and is less maintenance than other types of metals.
The Lifestyle: If you're a man who works a lot with your hands or operates heavy machinery, The Titan is the ring for you because of its strength-to-weight ratio. This is also great for men who have an active lifestyle and participate in water sports or frequent the beach and the pool because titanium is not affected by sea water or chlorine.
The Look: The Titan comes in four different finishes – gold, rose gold, silver and black – so no matter what ring your fiancée falls in love with, there's a Titan titanium ring to match. It's a supreme alternative to traditional yellow gold wedding bands! If you're looking for something on the slimmer side, check out the rest of our titanium wedding bands.
Tungsten – The Excalibur
The Metal: Tungsten is the most scratch-resistant metal known to man. Despite this, don't be fooled and assume tungsten wedding bands are super heavy. Though tungsten rings still have a nice, high-quality weight to them, they rival the same weight as any gold or platinum ring.
The Lifestyle: Like The Titan, we recommend The Excalibur for men who work with their hands. If your ring is at risk for being knocked around and banged up, The Excalibur is perfect.
The Look: The Excalibur is sleek, stylish and modern. This ring is perfect for the minimalist man who still wants to make a statement. If The Excalibur is a bit too plain for your liking, consider an inlay! We have tungsten bands with inlays for everyone.
Silicone – The Force Flex
The Material: The Force Flex is made out of silicone, making it ultra flexible, hypoallergenic and extremely comfortable. As they don't conduct heat or electricity, a silicone ring is safe to wear in any situation.
The Lifestyle: The possibilities with this ring are limitless. Silicone rings are a popular choice if you work with electricity, wires or heat. Silicone rings are ideal for those who need to keep “safety first” in mind.
The Look: Although it's a silicone ring, The Force Flex is still extremely stylish. With its beveled edges, you can hardly tell that this ring is made out of silicone. If silicone rings appeal to you but the Force Flex doesn't quite meet your standard, take a look at the rest of our silicone ring line.
Damascus Steel – The Valyrian
The Metal: Damascus steel is a favorite men’s wedding band metal as it is heavy-duty, long-lasting and scratch resistant. The strength and durability of the metal dates back centuries, as Damascus steel was used to make swords and knives.
The Lifestyle: The strength of The Valyrian makes this an ideal choice for those who work with their hands. This is also a great option for someone who wants to be environmentally conscious, as Damascus steel is fully recyclable!
The Look: Because of its unique forging, no two Valyrians are alike. This ring is for someone who wants something different than a classic band but doesn't prefer an inlay. The Valyrian is great for everyday wear, but also fun to switch out for when you're tired of your plain band. This is definitely a conversation starter! Looking for an equally unique wedding band? Our wood rings and our unusual wedding bands are a great alternative.
Carbon Fiber – The Stealth
The Metal: What we personally consider to be the best men's wedding bands, The Stealth's carbon fiber body makes it incredibly durable and extremely lightweight. The finish is scratch-resistant, though if over time it acquires scratches and scuffs, it can be polished out with very fine sandpaper.
The Lifestyle: Because of how incredibly light it is, carbon fiber is for a man who's constantly on the go or works with his hands quite often. This is also a perfect ring for travel as it doesn't weigh you down and is not distracting.
The Look: The Stealth is ideal for someone who is looking for an out-of-the-box wedding band, but would still like something sleek and minimal.
Taking Care of Your Ring
Now that you’ve identified a ring (or rings) that work for your lifestyle, it’s important you know how to keep them clean. No point in buying a ring you love without knowing how to take care of it!
Choose Your Ring Metal Carefully
This is preemptive, yes, but worth noting. Be reasonable about your lifestyle. If you live a busy life and you don’t have time to clean some of the softer precious metals (like pure gold) that can be damaged more easily, maybe go for a different option. In those cases, tungsten carbide or stainless steel could be a more life-friendly choice. Know that the harder the metal, the more durable, but also the harder it is to resize. If that’s a trade-off you’re willing to make, be sure you get the size correct.
Commit to Routine Cleaning
This is probably the biggest one. Cleaning your ring every two weeks or so will do wonders for extending its lifespan. While some rings won’t corrode, you want to make sure they aren’t susceptible to tarnishing. Plus, it’ll just look better. Win-win.
Get a Professional Cleaning
Even if you clean your ring every couple of weeks, going to a jeweler and getting a professional cleaning once or twice a year is useful. If you don’t want to mess with ring cleaning, making a trip to the jeweler every few months is a low-maintenance way to keep your ring fairly clean and retain its luster.
Why Have Just One?
If several (or all!) of these rings appeal to you and we haven't made the choice any easier, why not get more than just one? Our black wedding rings are affordable and suitable for any budget. There's no limit to how many bands a man can have. Switch them out depending on your mood or the occasion. We have a ring for every part of your life!
Which band is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Joe Bridwell
Love you guys and your products. i was on the fence about what I wanted, but with the quality and affordability you guys offer, I was able to get everything I wanted…The Titan in black and silver, Force Flex for work, and The Valyrian simply because it is just badass and amazing! You have a fan and customer for life! Thanks so much for being who you are!
Joe