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Men rings - How to choose? What do you wear?

Bushman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,138
Location
Joliet
I've had this one for years, I wear it on my right ring finger. It's actually a replica of Aragorn's ring from The Lord of the Rings, but nobody but me notices those kind of details. ;) I actually get compliments on it all the time. People love it.
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Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Speaking only for myself: Jewelry does not look right on men. I'm fine with a wedding band, an understated watch, cufflinks, and perhaps a signet ring (if you came into the old fashion way). Aside from that, my own personal sense of style and decorum say jewelry is the exclusive realm of women.

I also make exceptions for religious jewelry.

I'm a bit old fashion for my own preferences. I'd also recommend that if you do decide to wear jewelry that will be seen by others you keep it conservative.

To each their own and I don't suppose to speak for anyone other than myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Jaxenro

One of the Regulars
Messages
254
Speaking only for myself: Jewelry does not look right on men. I'm fine with a wedding band, an understated watch, cufflinks, and perhaps a signet ring (if you came into the old fashion way). Aside from that, my own personal sense of style and decorum say jewelry is the exclusive realm of women.

You can speak for me except I don't like wristwatches but basically I agree 100%. I don't feel comfortable wearing jewelry except cufflinks and maybe a tie bar
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Okay, from my maternal heritage (Indian) men traditionally wear jewellery (and often much of it). In the culture it is both traditional and a status symbol. Till today a mans jewellery is reflective of the caste into which he belongs and serves as a social identification for such things as marriage, job prospects etc. Men often wear heirloom pieces, religious (often associated with astrology) and fashion pieces. From my paternal heritage (Portuguese) men wearing jewellery is often associated with family tradition (eg., signet rings etc). So I often wear quite a bit of jewellery.

So first I would agree with Edward that "Real men" wear whichever rings they like. I think it depends on the man and his confidence. But there are a few simple rules I like to follow:
- The size of the ring should be related to the size of the finger. [I wear a two tone (white/yellow gold) thumb ring in a millgrain setting which is quite wide]. There is nothing more ostentatious than a pinkie ring that is so large that it overshadows the other fingers of the hand. [My pinkie finger is only about 1cm wide and the smaller the ring the more classy it looks].
- There is a difference between a pinkie ring and a signet ring. The latter bearing a crest of sorts, the former not necessarily [i.e., a signet ring may be worn on the little finger].
- Except for heirloom pieces, the colour of the metal for all rings should be the same (white/yellow).
- I have both a family signet ring (with paternal crest) as well as several pinkie rings. The pinkie rings are all gemstone set and so I like to match the colour of the gem stone to the dominant colour of the clothing I wear.
- The number of jewellery pieces on a mans hand should roughly be the same (counting watch and bracelet) for each.
- Assuming one ring on each finger, there should be no more than 3 rings worn at a time. Sorry Edward five/six rings is really overkill.
- Allow space between rings so that each may be individually appreciated. So if I'm wearing my signet ring (right ring finger) I won't wear my pinkie ring (normally right hand) as well.
- It is pretentious and condescending to wear clearly cultural jewellery you don't have a link to. [So if you're not Mexican/Native American stay out of their business]. It is my maternal family's tradition that whenever a boy reaches 18 he is presented with an originally minted gold coin bearing the image of King George VI with his title "IND IMP" [King George was the last "Emperor of India" before India's independence and in my family it symbolizes the boy's independence from the family]. I would really take offense to seeing a German, for example, wear the image of the "Emperor of India".
- It is always better to wear a few pieces, that you can explain your personal link to (rather than, for example "Kieth Richards wore it").
- Diamonds may be worn, but keep the ct size small, or else it looks gaudy. Also ensure that if your wearing a solitaire set diamond that the setting is masculine (i.e., avoid prong settings).

I hope this helps.

As far as not wearing other cultures' jewelry; I respectfully disagree. I'll go a long with not appropriating others religious items, but when members of a "culture", race, ethnicity, etc. make and sell items for export they are marketing these items to members outside of their groups. Certain groups have depended on this trade and commerce for survival (turquoise jewelry from the American Southwest?).

For me, I eschew all jewelry other than a modest watch, plain wedding band, and cufflinks and tie bars. Nothing ostentatious. That is for my personal aesthetics and not out of a fear of appropriating another's cultural heritage.

That's just me.
 

Bugguy

Practically Family
Messages
570
Location
Nashville, TN
I wore may highschool ring through college till my first teaching job in Chicago. When my 9th graders figured out they were only a couple of years younger than me and I realized they were many years more streetwise than me, I took it off. I taught across the street from the old Cabrini-Green project.... think the movie Candyman. Now its just a simple white gold wedding band.
 

redlinerobert

One of the Regulars
Messages
288
Location
Central coast, CA
Nice rings. Besides my thick gauge platinum wedding band (heavy, always know it's there) I like wearing a turquoise ring on my right hand. I've posted a few in a separate thread here.
 

robrinay

One Too Many
Messages
1,490
Location
Sheffield UK
31E53F82-7776-4BCB-A1F7-78DEA383667D.jpeg
I lost my wedding ring somewhere in the garden while fixing furniture. My wife Liz suggested I should have my 18th Birthday ring (from my dad r.i.p.) remodelled. As it was a Sovereign in a filigree setting which I never wear it seemed a good idea so I had a Goldsmith make this one for me.its planished then diamond filed to give a hammered and brushed finish. Seemed like a good design as after a few chores all my shiny new rings end up looking like this - if you can’t hide it make a feature of it!
 

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