Can Men Wear Diamond Engagement Jewelry?

What Does an Eternity Ring Symbolise?

It’s the De Beers Group that’s to thank for popularising eternity rings as an anniversary gift, pushing men to remind their wives of the bond they share. This marketing strategy took off like crazy, and even now, 60 years after the initial ad campaigns from De Beers, people still give eternity rings as anniversary gifts more than anything else.

As is the case with most jewelry, women are the traditional recipients. Diamond jewelry in particular is often seen as ‘women’s jewelry’, as it’s often linked to bridal jewelry like engagement rings.

In recent years, however, fashion and style has evolved massively, making the line between what is for men and what is for women significantly blurred. This has big benefits for people looking to branch out into areas of style that have previously been inaccessible.

Can men also wear diamond jewelry?

If you go through the history books and cultural changes across the world, you will learn that even in the most ancient societies, men always wore jewelry. In fact, men not only wore more jewelry than women but also had on the more expensive jewelry options available then. Men, especially royalty, used jewelry to flaunt their wealth, and this meant wearing the most expensive kinds of jewelry from the time, which often included more gemstones and diamonds. Today, men have taken a backseat on the whole jewelry thing, which would explain why men wearing diamonds and other kinds of jewelry would somewhat raise eyebrows.

But when it’s all said and done, men can also wear diamond jewelry if they wish to. Men wear diamond rings and earrings all the time, and though you may not see them wearing diamond-studded engagement and wedding rings, they still wear gemstone jewelry all the time. The signet ring is the most classic example of diamond jewelry for men. Men also wear stylish diamond necklaces and bracelets, not just earrings. So, if you have been thinking of wearing diamond jewelry but are unsure about the whole sexualization of jewelry thing, we are happy to tell you that you have the green light to wear diamond jewelry if you wish to.

In other words, society seems to be past the gender specificity of jewelry, which means that as long as the jewelry blends with your style, outfit, and occasion, you are good to go and can enjoy the best of diamond jewelry if you want to. So, it doesn’t matter whether the jewelry is made of diamond, platinum, silver, or gold jewelry; men get to wear any kind of jewelry that they like.

Do men wear engagement rings?

Do guys have to get engagement rings? No, just like women don’t. It’s fine if one or both partners wants to skip the jewelry altogether, as long as they’re both aligned. But can men wear engagement rings? Absolutely! Grammy-winning pop star Ed Sheeran made waves when he announced he was wearing a men’s engagement ring. While the singer certainly brought attention to male engagement rings, he’s definitely not the only example of men wearing engagement rings.

According to The Knot 2019 Jewelry and Engagement Study, 7% of all men recieve and/or wear an engagement ring. Roughly 6% of men in heterosexual relationships reported receiving one, while 49% of male same-sex couples exchanged one engagement ring (and 40% exchanged two). We’d venture to guess that male engagement rings will only gain traction as couples in the United States continue breaking with (and making) tradition.

Meanwhile, in some places outside of the US, male engagement rings are considered traditional. In Chile and Argentina, for example, it’s common for both men and women to wear rings after getting engaged.

Do men enjoy wearing diamond jewelry?

Of course, men who wear jewelry (diamonds or any other kind of jewelry) do enjoy having the jewelry on. At the end of the day, jewelry is all about self-expression, and if a man feels the most comfortable in diamond earrings, a signet diamond ring, one diamond earring, or a diamond charm necklace or bracelet, then there is no need to judge or wonder.

As mentioned above, men popularized jewelry and wore them more than women, as seen in ancient cultures. Notably, men seem to have enjoyed wearing diamond jewelry from before the 15th century when diamonds were worn primarily by men; and it wasn’t until the Mistress of the King of France, Agnes Sorel, then Charles VII started to show up in the courts adorned in the most magnificent diamond pieces of jewelry.

Agnes Sorel changed things in an instant, starting a spark in the fashion scene that resulted in the diamonds that were previously meant for the select few high-status men in society to be embraced and worn by more women. Men started to give their women diamond jewelry but also, women who could afford the diamonds started to buy the diamonds for themselves.

Away from France, Indian men were also known for wearing diamond jewelry. In fact, only men would wear diamonds in ancient Indians times, and at the time, women were prohibited from wearing diamonds because of the belief that the stone possessed mystic virtues, and if women wore them, they would be unhappy and be sterile. The diamonds were then believed to hold a lot of magical power, and only men would wear them, something we can only assume gave men great pleasure.

How is it different from a men’s wedding band?

In terms of meaning, it’s the same as the difference between women’s engagement rings and wedding rings: One says, “I’m getting married,” while the other signifies you’re already married. (And, while we’re explaining all of the rings, you might as well learn the difference between both of these and promise rings.) Some women and men choose just one ring to symbolize their union, in which case the wedding band or engagement ring doubles as the other. But men and women alike are welcome to don both.

In terms of style, the lines are a little blurred. Like women’s engagement rings (and wedding bands, for that matter), some men’s engagement rings have gemstones, while others are simple eternity bands. If you’re struggling to find jewelry labeled specifically as a male engagement ring, don’t be afraid to buy something marked as a men’s wedding ring instead. Honestly, most designs work for either purpose.

How much does a male engagement ring cost?

The national average cost of an engagement ring is $5,900, but averages always paint an imperfect picture. Prices depend on everything from design to the region you’re shopping in. Regardless, we’ve found that male engagement rings tend to be cheaper than women’s engagement rings. That’s because they’re often less decked out in diamonds and other stones, if they have any at all. Of course, nothing’s stopping you from buying or wearing a men’s diamond, sapphire or emerald engagement ring! Just know that precious gems will up the price. The average cost of a men’s wedding ring is $510, which gives a sense of what simpler bands go for.

In actuality, men’s engagement rings can cost anywhere from less than 100 bucks to thousands of dollars. Decide on a budget, factor in any necessary insurance, and try to stick to it. If you’re buying your guy an engagement ring to reciprocate a proposal, like the 7% of couples who opt for dual proposals according to our engagement study, you may feel inclined to buy him something similar in price to whatever he got you. Some people go this route as a show of equality, but it isn’t mandatory—especially if it’s stressing you and your bank account out.

In any case, don’t be afraid to talk about an engagement ring budget with your future spouse. In fact, setting guidelines for big purchases is an important part of a healthy relationship. This can help set expectations on both ends.

What are the best male engagement rings?

Ready to buy your guy an engagement ring? There’s no “best” male engagement ring—just the best one for him. Before you take the plunge, think about his lifestyle, personality and taste. What kind of men’s engagement ring would he feel most comfortable wearing? What goes best with his style? Does he have hobbies, a career or allergies that put certain types of materials off limits? (Silicone wedding rings can be very helpful to consider for these reasons.) Does he plan to wear a wedding ring too? (If yes, try to find something that can coordinate with—but won’t look too similar to—a future band.) Use those things, plus his ring size, to guide your purchase. Need some inspiration? These are just a few of our favorite engagement rings for him at the moment, based off the most popular types of male engagement rings.

When Should Men Get Eternity Rings?

As is the tradition with women’s eternity rings, men’s eternity rings are excellent wedding anniversary gifts. If you’re celebrating a significant wedding anniversary, or perhaps have misplaced your existing wedding band, an eternity ring is an excellent replacement. It’s also a good idea for a wedding band, if you’re yet to marry.

An eternity ring can be a great thing to wear as a signature piece of jewellery; whether it’s something you’ve received as a gift or bought for yourself. If you’re interested in wearing an eternity ring on a daily basis, tough metals like platinum and titanium are good choices.

Another excellent occasion to get an eternity ring is as an engagement ring.

Men Can Wear Engagement Jewelry

Men have not worn engagement rings until recently, but the trend is catching on quickly. Whether it’s with same-sex couples, couples with women who have proposed, or simply couples where both parties would like to indicate their engagement, engagement rings for men are increasingly becoming the norm. Diamond eternity rings are a good choice for men’s engagement rings as they include the gemstones that are most closely related to engagements without being too over the top.

All in all, it’s clear that men can wear eternity rings, and there are in fact many varieties of eternity rings designed explicitly with men in mind. If you’re interested in men’s jewellery and eternity rings in general, there’s sure to be a design out there to suit you.

A Brief History of Rings & Weddings

The tradition of giving engagement rings dates all the way back to the 1920s. It may have originated from ancient traditions to prove the groom’s wealth, such as the groom hosting the wedding or paying a dowry for the bride. But in the 20s, jewelry companies publicized and pushed the giving of engagement rings as a way to sell jewelry.

Engagement and wedding rings for women took off in sales, but engagement rings for men did not garner the same interest. Even wedding bands did not achieve popularity until Humphrey Bogart was photographed wearing one in the 1940s. Nevertheless, giving an engagement ring to a woman became a popular new tradition with certain rituals and etiquette (such as the man bending to one knee to propose). As society has changed, views about gender roles have changed as well, and so have traditions associated with getting married.

Marriage is a Shared Commitment

One such example is the show of commitment between the couple. An engagement ring on a woman signals that she is “taken” and cannot be courted by other men. Traditionally, women were seen as taking on the man’s family in a marriage, as illustrated by the tradition of taking the man’s last name. As a result, it was important to mark the bride’s commitment to the groom.

However, many couples are now asking the question: why shouldn’t the groom display his commitment as well? After all, marriage is a shared commitment and important decisions are made by both spouses together. All the same commitments celebrated by the bride are celebrated by the groom, so why not display that in the same way?

Same-Sex Marriage

The legalization of same-sex marriage in many countries, such as Australia, Ireland, and the United States, has given rise to a demand for engagement rings for gay couples who want to get married. As a result, jewelers are transforming more women’s engagement rings into men’s. Gay men are just as likely to wear a diamond engagement ring as women are.

In fact, many jewelry stores are beginning to include designs just for this purpose. Popular culture has helped a lot in this regard. Trailblazing shows like Ellen and Will & Grace paved the way for weddings in Glee and Modern Family, as well as the engagement rings that accompanied those star-studded proposals.

Women in the Workforce

One of the most major changes in society with regards to engagement traditions has to do with women’s role in the workforce. As women become more prominent in the workforce, financial norms are changing. In some families, the women are the wage earners for the home. This has prompted more women to propose, turning tradition on its head. More women are also taking on financial responsibility for the ring, which has created a demand for engagement rings for men.

As people change, so do the traditions we follow. Society is evolving and people’s attitudes toward one another are changing, and this is bringing about more displays of love and commitment. An engagement is a joyous occasion, and it shouldn’t matter who wants to celebrate by wearing a ring.