We live in the modern era. Women can work, LGBTQ+ people can get married, and inequality between the sexes is lessening. But with all of this forward moving progress, engagement rings are still overwhelmingly considered for women. And you might be wonderin': do men wear engagement rings? Should a man wear an engagement ring in today’s world? How common is it for a woman to propose to a man? Not to worry, we're breaking everything down. Let's go. 

ENGAGEMENT RINGS: A (BRIEF) PRIMER

 

 

Engagement rings are not a new invention. In fact, they can be traced back all the way to Ancient Rome when women rocked flint or bone rings to signify a business contract or affirm mutual love and obedience (eek). By the 2nd century the engagement ring got an upgrade as gold became the favored metal by selective wives to be. 

Then, in 850 AD, Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring was an official intent by a man to marry, and was meant to represent the financial sacrifice of taking on a wife. And while engagement ring trends tend to come and go, Archduke Maximillian of Austria was the OG trendmaker, proposing to Mary of Burgundy with the world’s first diamond engagement ring. Talk about a man ahead of his game. 

The next landscape shifting engagement ring event didn’t happen until 1940, when diamond ring sales increased thanks to department stores. Coincidentally, these same department stores also introduced the idea of men wearing engagement rings - and offered double engagement rings: one for the man, and one for the woman.  Then in the 1950s, DeBeer’s launched their, ‘A Diamond is Forever’ campaign and the world's perception of a diamond ring was forever shifted. 

OK BUT DO MEN WEAR ENGAGEMENT RINGS TODAY? 

 

 

Yes, men wear engagement rings today! In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common for a woman to propose to a man with an engagement ring. While it’s true that it’s not as common in parts of the world for a man to wear an engagement ring, some countries - engagement rings for men are common practice in countries like Brazil, Chile, and Sweden. Looking for proof? Here’s 4 celebrities that absolutely nailed the men’s engagement ring trend. 

MICHAEL BUBLE 

After becoming engaged to Argentinian actress, Luisana Lorely, Michael Buble was spotted with a sparkler on his digit. Asked by reporters about it, he responded, “The boy also wears the engagement ring. That's what she tells me anyway.' Either white gold or platinum, the ring is a medium curved band that is both simple yet elegant. 

ED SHEEREN 

Popular singer, Ed Sheeren had people talking in 2018 after being spotted with what appeared to be a wedding band on that finger. He cleared the air at the 2018 Brit awards, mentioning that the ring was in fact an engagement ring made by his partner, Cherry Seaborn. ‘I never saw why men didn’t wear engagement rings. It’s the same commitment either way,” he explained, ‘Cherry made it for me herself out of silver clay. I really like it.’ 

RYAN REYNOLDS 

Hollywood’s funnyman is no stranger to the male engagement ring. After getting engaged to Blake Lively he was spotted with a simple gold band on his finger. Post nuptials, the band stayed and was stacked with a separate gold ring for a mellow, golden look. 

BROOKLYN BECKHAM 

Like Reynolds, Brooklyn Beckham was spotted with a gold band post engagement to his fiancee Nicola Peltz in 2020. The two later tied the knot in 2022 in a lavish ceremony in Palm Beach.  

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN’S ENGAGEMENT RINGS AND WOMEN’S? 

 

 

Here’s the thing, unlike people, engagement rings don’t necessarily have to be gendered. Really. Any engagement ring can be a male engagement ring if it is worn by someone who identifies as male. However, there are a few trends that generally separate male engagement rings from women’s engagement rings. 

MEN’S ENGAGEMENT RINGS TEND TO BE SIMPLE 

 

 

No massive diamonds here. A male engagement ring often is a simple gold, silver, or platinum band, sometimes decorated with small diamonds. It’s a more subdued look that delivers a punch that’s both masculine and fashionable. Want the look? We love our Syracuse  ring. Particularly because of its nature-inspired sleek setting handcrafted from a real, organic sycamore tree and polished smooth for everyday comfort. 

SHOP THE SYRACUSE RING

A MALE ENGAGEMENT RING CAN BE FLASHY THOUGH 

 

 

Love the look of gemstones and don’t want to compromise? We love that. Men’s engagement rings that focus on bling tend to have gemstones of similar sizes for a cohesive, masculine look. Think: our Silver Garland Montana Sapphire Ring which features four glittering rough Montana sapphires arranged neatly next to each other atop a silver Garland band. It’s the perfect pop of both color and sparkle. 

SHOP THE SILVER GARLAND MONTANA SAPPHIRE RING 

MEN DESERVE DIAMONDS TOO

 

 

Yes, even male engagement rings can contain diamonds. To get the look, opt for a wide set band and delicate diamond. It’s part, “I deserve sparkly things and to feel handsome”, and part, “I’m going to go chop wood”. Our Diamond Vineyard Ring perfectly melds these aspects, combining seven diamonds with an incredibly textured band. We’re fully obsessed. 

SHOP THE DIAMOND VINEYARD RING 

YOUR MAN DESERVES SOMETHING SPECIAL, HE DESERVES AN OLIVIA EWING JEWELRY RING

So, yes, men wear engagement rings. And even more so, male engagement rings can be stunning works of art, just like women’s engagement rings. So doesn’t your man deserve something special? From rings with diamonds to rings with sapphires, Olivia Ewing Jewelry has something for everyone, regardless of gender or sex. Browse our selection of engagement rings and wedding bands now and discover your perfect ring. Want something different? Build your own male engagement ring by choosing a gemstone and pairing it with a setting or, reach out today to start designing a truly custom male engagement ring. Because your man deserves the best. 

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Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing