“Men want to be on the foreground of a growing trend” -Unknown
Most people picture big, elaborate, sparkling, diamond rings when they picture an engagement. Most people also picture said ring on the bride to be’s ring finger forever changing her life for the better.
Now what if we told you there was a ring just as elaborate or stunning sitting on the groom to be’s ring finger as well.
In today’s changing world the topic of men wearing engagement rings has been brought to the forefront, and the numbers don’t lie.
In recent years when surveyed, as many as 17% of men said they wouldn’t mind wearing an engagement ring. For some it might be just as flashy as their soon to be bride’s, but for others it’s something toned down from what their bride is flashing. This trend is going nowhere but up as men all across the world are wanting to be more involved in the wedding aspect of their lives.
History
Dating back almost as long as we’ve had our doors open, the department store Macy’s (known then as Bamberger's) started designing higher end rings for men to wear to represent their proposed marriage. While many men of this age didn’t even wear wedding rings after the ceremony ended, It’s safe to say that this trend didn’t catch on right away.
As the decades went on more and more men began wearing their wedding rings after more movie stars were seen out with them on. It wasn’t until the 2000’s when the concept of an engagement ring for men came back up. A british jeweler became designing titanium rings with tiny diamonds embedded in it, and as the years have progressed they have grown in popularity
The Transition
Unlike many bridal sets sold for women traditionally that include the engagement ring and wedding bands many grooms are opting to wear their one ring on different hands. Men are often seen wearing their ring on their right hand during the engagement period, and transitioning the ring over to his left hand during the wedding ceremony forever marking it his wedding ring.
Same Sex Couples
As the rise in same sex marriages becomes prevelant, it would only seem fair for one or even both parties in the engagement to dawn lavish rings to mark the occasion. In recent studies half of all gay men wear enagement rings, and even 40% of gay couples have engageemt rings for both men. From classic diamond rings to smaller and toned down rings similar to mens wedding bands, couples have many options.
Cultures
Men’s engagement rings may be a new trend in North America, but they have existed for many centuries in some latin cultures across the world. Typically, men in Chile & Argentina often wear engagement rings as a sign of their heritage and traditions. As this trend continues we look to other countries to follow in their steps.
Growing Trends & Lifetime Traditions
As traditions shift & trends grow we are seeing more couples drift away from standard gender roles and making joint decisions on aspects of their weddings. Additionally, more studies have been conducted showing that just what has been happening for the bride’s rings, many men are opting to pass rings down through the generations. Sentimental pieces are prized in families, and now some families have twice as many rings to pass down through the years.
The trend of men’s engagement rings is something most see as a slow burn that is here to stay. From diverging of social normative roles, to the increase in same sex marrage. Even changes in cultures across the world. We at Ballard & Ballard embrace all new bridal trends, and if you or your fiance are interested in an engagement ring we would love to make that happen.
Let’s celebrate love today.