Ooohs and aaahs are normal for women’s wedding ring sets, but the same attention isn’t given to men’s wedding bands. In the spirit of gender equality, we spoke with Rob Matthews, store manager of Fink’s Jewelers, about the top five things men should know before buying their bling of wedded bliss.
1. Mix and match. “Traditionally, men and women thought they had to have matching wedding bands. That’s a rarity nowadays,” Matthews says. So go ahead, pick what suits your fancy and forget trying to be ring twinsies.
2. Size matters. Many guys aren’t used to how a ring feels, so they buy it too big—a decision that’s likely to lead to a lost ring. “Fingers expand and contract a thousand times a day,” Matthews says. Go small to be sure you don’t lose your new crown jewel.
3. Comfort counts. Ask if the store has a selection of comfort fit bands. Instead of the band being flat against the finger on the inside, it’s rounded for comfort. “It cushions against the finger, which feels better,” says Matthews.
4. Heavy metal. Men are pretty hard on their jewelry and they need a metal that can last a lifetime. Tungsten is the most popular choice in men’s wedding bands—you can’t cut it or scratch it. Bonus: It’s hypoallergenic, and according to Matthews, “It’s less expensive than gold or platinum.”
5. High maintenance. If you like white gold, be prepared for maintenance. Natural gold is yellow and requires a coating of rhodium to turn it white. Over time that wears off. “Depending on the person, the job they have, if they wash their hands a lot or use a lot of hand sanitizer, it may need to be recoated as frequently as every six months,” Matthews advised.