BECAUSE WHY SHOULD WOMEN HAVE ALL THE FUN?

Marriage has long been rooted in the patriarchy. But things are changing. In today's modern age, it is becoming all too common for women to propose to men, for their mother to walk the bride down the aisle as opposed to the father, and for the actual roles and duties of a marriage to be shared equally between partners. But when it comes to proposals, are women proposing with an engagement ring and just how common is it for a guy to rock some bling on his fourth finger? Do men need engagement rings? The answer might surprise you...read on to find out!

DO MEN'S ENGAGEMENT RINGS EXIST?

Before we even get into the possibility of the male engagement ring, we have to first understand the difference between a men's wedding band and a men's engagement ring. While these two terms are used interchangeably, they are quite different and it's important to know which we're talking about when we talk about engagement rings.

WEDDING BANDS VS. ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Wedding bands and engagement rings are similar pieces of jewelry that serve very different purposes - kind of. A wedding band is a ring that is worn on the left hand's ring finger to signify that the wearer has made a commitment of marriage to another person. Wedding bands are typically swapped during a marriage ceremony and are worn by both partners.

Wedding bands have been around forever. In fact, it is believed that the Ancient Egyptians first began the practice of wearing rings to signify eternal love and devotion as the shape of a ring is a circle that has no beginning or end. After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt he adopted this practice and it was swiftly picked up by the Greeks and then the Romans.

During the Middle Ages, men would signify ownership of their wives by presenting them with a ring during the marriage ceremony but they did not wear a wedding band themselves. It wasn't until World War II that men wanted to honor their sweetie back home and began rocking a band.

On the flip side, engagement rings are rings that are presented to a partner to symbolize an intent to marry and to mark that the wearer is engaged. Usually, an engagement ring is worn by a woman, but as society changes and marriage equality continues to take hold, men's engagement rings are beginning to take off.

And the male engagement ring has been around for a while! Believe it or not, the male engagement ring actually dates back to the 1920s when department stores like L. Bamberger & Co (later called Macy's), published full spreads in men's magazines that featured a masculine finger rocking a diamond and holding a cigarette. Since then, more and more men have been spotted wearing engagement rings.

WHAT DETERMINES A MEN'S ENGAGEMENT RING FROM A WOMAN'S?

Remember how we said that marriage was rooted in patriarchy? So are engagement rings. And much of the deep-rooted patriarchal forms of thinking dictate that a man's engagement ring needs to be a manly, rough-and-tumble ring, that is handcrafted from the tears of his enemies.

But this is not (always) the case.

In reality and outside of binary forms of thinking, a male engagement ring is simply any engagement ring that a man wears. So, a male engagement ring can appear exactly the same as a female's ring. The determining factor is that a male and not a woman is wearing it.

ENGAGEMENT RINGS INSPIRATION FOR HIM

So what do dude engagement rings look like? They can run the entire gamut of fashion from the rough and tumble masculine energy of a simple wood band to a delicate salt and pepper diamond stunner.

Looking for inspiration? Check out some of our favorite men's engagement rings at Olivia Ewing Jewelry below!

BROOKS ROUGH DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING

The Brooks Rough Diamond Solitaire ring provides a beautiful signifier of the depth of your relationship and the scope of your love. A single rough white diamond is set delicately within a six-prong setting and provides understated yet elegant flashes of light from its position.

The unique twig band is intricately hand-sculpted to reveal the natural texture of the original foraged sprig and perfectly complements the glint of diamonds. Available in yellow, rose, white gold, or a platinum band, the Brooks Rough Diamond Solitaire will be your man's own ring to proudly display for all to see.

SHOP THE BROOKS ROUGH DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING

SILVER UNITY RING

Two unique twig sprigs hug the other to create a seamless silver and oxidized silver ring that is sure to complement your man's distinctive style and unmatched personality.

Our Silver Unity Ring is a romantic homage to the Old Norse myth of Ask and Embla. According to the myth, Ask and Embla were two trees that were turned to humans by the ancient gods and from whom all humanity flowed.

Looking to start a whole new world of adventure with a partner that you are inextricably, unequivocally, and forever linked together with? Propose to them with our Silver Unity Ring!

SHOP THE SILVER UNITY RING

LEE RING

If your man is a Lord of the Rings fan you can't go wrong with our Lee Ring. This stunning band is handcrafted in yellow, rose, white gold, or platinum metals and features a varied textured pattern that adds a pop of visual appeal. Plus, much like the One Ring itself, because of the sturdy gold or platinum precious metal, you won't have to worry about how easily the ring will break.

SHOP THE LEE RING

PLUME RING

If the love you have for your partner makes you feel as if you could fly then our Plume Ring is the perfect choice for you. The 5MM Plume Ring is a unique piece of jewelry that has been crafted from an actual feather, giving it a rustic feel with intricate details. This ring is perfect for those who appreciate nature and want to add a touch of elegance to their style. It's a beautiful and meaningful accessory that is sure to turn heads

SHOP THE PLUME RING

FIND HIS PERFECT RING AT OLIVIA EWING JEWELRY

Olivia Ewing Jewelry offers a wide selection of unique and beautiful rings for men. From rustic and earthy designs to sleek and modern styles, there is a perfect ring for everyone.

So, whether you're looking for an engagement ring, wedding band, or just a special gift, Olivia Ewing's collection is sure to impress. Each ring is handcrafted with attention to detail and made with high-quality materials, ensuring that it will last a lifetime!

SHOP MEN'S JEWELRY

Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing