A gold ring on your hand can make you seen among the crowd, especially as gold continues to carry plenty of weight in our society. Even among men and women, ring preferences can vary wildly. Choosing the appropriate ring for a man, whether yourself or someone close to you, can be a very involved process. Our guide will help you to choose the right men’s gold ring that checks all your boxes.
Your Choice of Gold
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the form that everyone knows and loves. It is an alloy made from gold and metals like copper, silver and zinc, making it very durable. Gold’s properties also help ensure it never tarnishes, ensuring its lustre lasts a lifetime. While still highly valued, yellow gold is generally considered the weakest gold alloy of the three gold types, easily getting scratched or dented if you are not careful.
White Gold
White gold is a pearly white metal, an alloy of gold and palladium or silver. It looks similar to platinum and has decent durability and versatility thanks to its appearance. You can easily match white gold rings with any skin type. The one drawback is that it needs plenty of regular care to maintain its lustre.
Rose Gold
An alloy derived from gold, copper and silver, copper gives rose gold its pinkish hue, while silver helps tone down the colour and provide additional durability. 18-karat rose gold is a good choice for a more pink-gold colour, while 14-karat rose gold has better durability but a softer tone. However, rose gold is easy to scratch or dent despite its alloyed strength, while its copper content makes it non-hypoallergenic to anyone allergic to copper.
Ring Designs for Men
Finding a suitable ring boils down to one’s preferences. Ask yourself a few questions before you make a decision:
- What do you like in a ring?
- What is the first thing you look for in a ring?
- What kind of ring suits you?
- Should you add a gemstone to your ring?
Having the answer to these questions should help you narrow down your choices.
Simple Gold Bands
A simple gold ring is sufficient to add a touch of class to one’s appearance, going with something that is both stylish and understated. You can also personalise it with minute touches, such as an engraving, to make it uniquely yours.
Patterned Bands
Patterned rings break up the monotony of a smooth gold ring with anything from simple zig-zags to more ornate designs that add plenty of character to the ring (and its wearer).
Elephant Hair Bands
Made with ethically sourced elephant hair and certified with an AVA permit, elephant hair bands come from an ancient African tradition. Adorning yourself with a strand of an elephant’s hair is said to protect you from danger or illness while blessing you with auspicious luck. We have several elephant hair rings available; the one above has the strand placed in a channel that runs the ring’s circumference.
Signet Rings
Signet rings were once symbols of power and prestige worn by nobles and kings. Not only were they worn as ornamental jewellery, but they also served as a seal of authority. Signet rings commonly had a crest engraved or raised on the front, which denoted the wearer’s heritage. Today, signet rings still hold a sense of prestige, adding a flair of nobility and vintage charm to your overall look.
Gemstone Rings
Rings adorned with gemstones are also equally popular with men, considering the wow factor many gemstones possess. Whether you fancy a brilliant diamond or a more dazzling aquamarine, there is bound to be a gemstone that catches your fancy. Some men may even opt for a sparkling adornment of multiple gems, like the trinity in the image above.
The gemstone’s cut also makes a prominent difference in a ring’s looks. Some cuts help accentuate the gemstone’s sparkle, while others emphasise the hand (or person) that bears the ring.
Other Reasons to Think About
Budget
It is prudent to stick to a budget when buying a gold ring. The last thing you want is to go overboard with the various additions you want on your ring. A ring’s cost takes into account several criteria:
- Karat weight: Lower karat weights (like 10-karats) are more affordable due to their lower gold content.
- Any gemstones adorning the ring: Each gemstone you add will increase your final bill. The gemstone’s overall quality is also a factor that can substantially hike the price.
- Finishing touches, such as an engraved message or symbol: The cost varies depending on your choice of finishing.
- The complexity of the band’s design: More complex designs usually cost more to turn into a reality.
Pre-made rings are generally a good pick and come at a decent price. Custom rings may also be a viable option by giving you more control over what goes into your ring. You can speak to a jeweller for more information on what works best for your needs.
Personal Styles
Personal preferences are always a prominent deciding factor in the ring you choose. There are qualities in a ring that you may find more favourable than others. A simple band with modern minimalist touches might appeal to you, but the aesthetic value of a vintage-style ring may be of higher importance for someone else. You may also find inspiration in new jewellery trends that emerge from time to time.
Daily Use
Some rings are better suited to everyday use than others. Take 24-karat gold, for example, which is pure gold. Unfortunately, pure gold is very soft and easily scratched and bent if you are not careful. Because of this inherent weakness, we have gold alloys like white and rose gold that have additional durability from alloyed materials.
However, a ring’s karat weight is of significant importance. 14-karat and 18-karat rings are usually the preferred choice, as they contain a sufficiently high gold purity (58.3% and 75%, respectively) and a decent mix of alloy materials to improve their durability. For less discerning buyers, 10-karat gold has a lower gold purity but is also very durable (thanks to the higher metal alloy content), making it an ideal choice for everyday wear.
Aftercare
Some rings will need some extra attention to last a long time. White gold, for one, will need regular touch-up sessions to maintain its shine. You can use a mild solution of warm water and gentle dish soap to clean your rings, carefully soaking and brushing them before patting them dry with a dry cloth.
Some white gold rings are also rhodium-plated. Originally protecting wearers allergic to nickel (which serves as an alloy material for white gold), rhodium plating now adds a white tone to increase white gold’s appearance. Some rings may need to be re-plated to restore their beautiful white lustre. However, the rhodium plating process is said to be harmful to the environment.
Find the Right Gold Ring with Merlin Goldsmith By Your Side
Are you looking for a gold ring suitable for men? Merlin Goldsmith is here to assist you with your ring-shopping needs. Whether you want a ready-to-wear ring from our jewellery store or prefer to craft one that matches your tastes, we are more than ready to help you. With years of experience in the industry, we aspire to be Singapore's No. 1 gold jewellery store. Visit our store today to take advantage of our great rates and excellent customer service. We are keen to help you with your gold shopping!