Proposing to your partner is a big deal. Chances are, you’ve spent weeks and even months agonising over the engagement ring.

But what about YOUR ring?

Let’s face it, guys – when it comes to jewellery, most of us are completely clueless!

Not surprising, really. Unlike members of the fairer sex, most of us don’t really wear jewellery – in fact, for many, their wedding ring is the only piece of jewellery they’ll EVER wear.

It can be tempting to throw your hands up and leave it to your spouse, or just pick the first men’s wedding band you lay eyes on.

Luckily, we’ve written this crash-course for you to help confused men like you pick a ring you’ll be happy to wear for the rest of your life!

Start by choosing a metal

Gold

Did you know? Not all gold is, well, gold-coloured!

By mixing gold with other metals, jewellery makers are able to give gold men’s rings unique tints, and even change the colour completely.

In addition to traditional yellow gold, more men are opting for coloured gold like white gold and rose gold.

Love the idea of a gold ring, but don’t want the traditional yellow colour? If so, one of these rings might do the trick!

Platinum & palladium

Gold isn’t the only precious metal available. Platinum and palladium rings are soaring in popularity!

As metals that are naturally white, both platinum and palladium offer a brighter, more vibrant colour than even white gold. Not to mention, they’re also considerably stronger than equivalent gold rings – no wonder they’re growing in popularity among men.

Precious metals with inlays

Men back in the day weren’t as picky – the modern man with his trendy haircut and up-to-date wardrobe didn’t exist back then!

Of course, today’s man is different, and wants something that stands out from the crowd, and which is unique from the next guy’s.

Modern men demand modern rings that break with tradition. So why not choose a ring that combines precious metals with inlays?

DORA offers rings that feature inlays of alternative materials like carbon fibre and titanium. 

These rings are attention grabbers – they’re striking and unconventional, making them the natural choice for many modern men.

Hammered men's wedding band

Think about finish

Metal isn’t the only thing you’ll have to consider appearance-wise – have you thought about what sort of finish you want on your wedding band?

Traditionally, men have had the choice of high-polish and matte wedding bands. Even the biggest jewellery newbie understands the difference between a glossy and a matte ring.

Some men are attracted to high-polish rings, and love the attention it commands or the associations with wealth and affluence.

Others prefer something subtle and more low-key, or want a low-maintenance ring that won’t require constant buffing to look its best. As a result, many opt for a matte finish.

Both are valid – what’s more, you don’t have to choose between the two anymore!

In addition to multicolour rings, DORA also offers multi finish rings that combine glossy and matte surfaces. This is an increasingly popular choice, as it really highlights the colours and gives men the best of both worlds.

Another popular finish that’s gaining popularity is hammering.

Featuring a unique textured effect, hammered rings feature a unique and eye-catching surface.

Choose a design you like

You’re going to be wearing your wedding band for the rest of your life, after all – why not choose a design that’s easy on the eye and which you won’t regret a handful of years down the line?

While the other considerations that go into choosing men’s wedding bands can require quite a bit of research, this one doesn’t – the best design is entirely up to you!

This is an intensely personal decision – it all comes down to your preferences and personal style.

Our aim is to help you make an informed decision and set you on the right track. Dora’s collections feature a huge range of different designs for men’s wedding bands which you can use as a starting point.

Some of the designs include:

Can’t find a ring with all the features you want? Each DORA ring is made to order – we can customise your ring with all the attributes and features you want.

Don’t be afraid to bring your fiance in, either. In addition to reflecting your personal style, men’s wedding bands also reflect your marriage – your spouse-to-be’s input is just as important as your own!

Size matters!

You’re going to be wearing this thing for the rest of your life – you’ll want it to be comfortable!

As a general rule, thinner rings tend to feel lighter and more comfortable on your fingers than wider ones.

Once again however, it all comes down to personal preference. Most men’s wedding bands trend around 6mm wide – comfy enough for most men.

If you have smaller hands however, or want a subtler look, an even narrower ring might be a better option. Likewise, if you have sausages for fingers, a wider ring might be a better fit.

Really, it all just comes down to personal taste and feeling.

The only way to know for sure? Heading down to your nearest jeweller and trying on a couple of options for fit.

Interested in a DORA ring? Contact a DORA stockist, and ask whether they have a DORA sizing kit on-site. They’ll work with you to figure out exactly what size is best suited for your finger.

Choose a good men’s ring manufacturer

Did you know? Not all ring manufacturers are made equal.

Jewellery is an industry that’s built on artisanal skills, history, experience and reputation. This should be the first thing you should look at when looking at different jewellery manufacturers.

This goes beyond how long they’ve been operating and their reviews – for example, we here at DORA are market innovators, developing and introducing Platinum 600 to the market in order to bring down the cost of buying a platinum wedding ring.

This is a completely new type of platinum that made waves in the industry when we launched it a couple of years ago!

Be sure to look at other “extras” as well, such as:

All of these indicate that you’re getting a ring from a manufacturer you can trust!

We’ve talked before about what separates good ring manufacturers from the less-reputable ones. If you missed that article, you can click here to get caught up.

Made to mean more – the DORA difference

While the engagement ring might get all of the attention, that doesn’t mean that your ring doesn’t matter. Choosing a men’s wedding band is an important decision that’s going to follow you for the rest of your life – you’ll want to make sure you get it right.

This guide can serve as a starting point. Your local jeweller can also advise, as well as your spouse (there’s no shame in getting them involved!)

Looking for ideas? Browse our collection today. WIth a stunning and expansive range of rings and bands, you’re sure to find something you like.

And once you have, get in touch with your nearest DORA stockist, or get in touch with our team with your queries!