Men’s Black Rings

If you come from the world of fashion, every year you can expect to hear about another color that is considered the “new black”. I think last year it was purple… or was that the year before? Anyway, while the fabric merchants scramble for an alternative to basic black, jewelers everywhere are welcoming black like never before. Men’s black rings are perhaps the most exciting new development in men’s jewelry that I’ve seen in a decade; and it looks like this is one trend that’s here to stay.

Black Tungsten Ring or Wedding Band

Believe it or not, men’s black rings are not entirely new. They actually have their roots in ancient cultures, dating back to the days when Greek artisans carved spectacular rings from black onyx. Roman craftsmen followed suit with their elaborately engraved cameo-style black onyx rings, which were often used as seals. Today’s methods of making men’s black rings are based on more scientific techniques, but each type of black metal has its own unique qualities.

What type of men’s black rings are available, and how do they get so black?

• The deep “midnight black” of black titanium is made through an alloying technique that involves the application of high temperatures to the base metal. Not only does this process make the ring a deeper black, it also becomes extremely durable and scratch resistant.

• Another popular black ring style is a two-tone titanium ring. These striking rings are made with a mixture of black and grey titanium.

• A less expensive option, black stainless steel rings are usually coated with a permanent black tint that makes them even more durable.

• Like titanium, black tungsten bands are made with an alloy process that adds to the raw strength of tungsten carbide and stands up to daily wear and tear.

What are the most popular styles in men’s black rings?

Men’s black rings have been gaining in popularity for quite a while, and have even made their way into many wedding band collections. But not all of these rings get their black color from the metal.

One of the most popular styles on sale today is a titanium ring with a black carbon fiber inlay. This handsome ring combines the sparkle of polished titanium with the modern texture of carbon fiber, making it a truly unique and handsome wedding band or fashion ring.

Some other best-selling men’s black rings include a stainless steel black crusade cross ring, and a sophisticated black stainless steel wedding band with a stripe of brushed stainless steel around the center. For simpler tastes, there are several conservative-style bands made from black titanium, tungsten and stainless steel.

As more jewelry manufacturers start to show men’s black rings in their collections, black wedding rings are emerging as a new symbol of eternal commitment. The natural strength of the industrial metals, paired with rich black tones, adds power and certainty to that commitment.

Palladium Men's Wedding Bands

Okay, gentlemen, it is time to dispel some of the myths surrounding the selection of men’s wedding rings, especially now that there are so many different metals on the market. You may not hear this kind of advice from a traditional jeweler (maybe because they are secretly hoping you will drop a couple grand for a platinum ring), so I am going to give it to you straight: Palladium men’s wedding bands really are every bit as great as people say they are. And that is my honest opinion.

Benchmark 4 mm Palladium Wedding Band

Sure, platinum is a stunningly beautiful metal, and gold is always a luxurious pick. There are even many new and incredibly strong “industrial metals” available today, such as titanium, tungsten and stainless steel. Each of these metals has its own unique selling points, and each can be made into a great-looking ring, but as someone who keeps up with all the trends in men’s wedding rings, I strongly recommend that you check out palladium men’s wedding bands. This naturally white metal is a jeweler’s “dream come true”. In my humble opinion, palladium is the quintessential metal for the modern man.

You may be wondering why I’m so excited about this metal. Yes, palladium looks great on any man, and yes, it is an affordable choice that has the look and feel of platinum, but what really turns me on about palladium is what it’s “not”. It is not going to break the bank, like platinum can do. It contains no nickel, so it is not going to cause an allergic skin reaction (like white gold will do in about 20% of wearers.) Unlike some stronger industrial metals, it will also not be difficult to resize if your ring size changes. It will not need to be re-plated like white gold or refinished like yellow gold. And it will not feel too light on the hand like titanium can, or too heavy like tungsten or platinum.

Palladium men’s wedding bands are neither too light nor too heavy, they have a brightness that is comparable to platinum, and they are hypoallergenic too. Palladium is strong enough to absorb sharp blows without scratching and will not wear away like gold often does.

In case you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of palladium, it may be that it didn’t become popular as a jeweler’s metal until recently. While it has always been mined alongside platinum, jewelers found palladium difficult to melt for fine jewelry, so it was used as a “strategic metal” by the military. It wasn’t until much later, when diamond-setters began to use palladium for its strength, that it was reformulated into a jewelry grade alloy known as PD950. This premium alloy is made from 95 percent white palladium and 5 percent ruthenium, making it even more precious and pure than white gold.

As if these reasons weren’t enough to convince you to check out palladium men’s wedding bands, these rings also offer excellent value. What’s interesting is that palladium is just as rare and pure as platinum, but it costs so much less is because it is not yet in as much demand. On average, palladium is about one-fifth the price of platinum. But as its popularity rises, the price may start to creep up, which could add value to a palladium wedding ring over time.

Palladium men’s wedding bands are available in a stunning selection of styles from Benchmark, one of the nation’s top ring designers. Why not check them out today?

Men's Gold Wedding Bands

With so many new metals to choose from, men’s gold wedding bands don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.  Sure, it is tempting to check out all of the newer industrial metals when you start shopping for a wedding ring, but don’t let all these alternatives fool you.  Gold is still the preferred metal for wedding jewelry. 
Benchmark 4 mm Traditional Fit Milgrain 14K Yellow Gold Wedding Band

For jewelry designers, there is nothing more attractive than the brilliance of 18-karat gold.  It has a timeless quality of intrinsic value that is impossible to duplicate with any other metal, which may explain why designer collections of men’s gold wedding bands are still so popular today. 
Before you start shopping for men’s gold wedding bands, it is important to know the type of gold you are looking for.  Depending on your budget, you will need to determine which grade of gold will fit your budget.  Most designers make their rings available in 10K, 14K and 18K gold. 
Men’s gold wedding bands are available in white gold, yellow gold or two-tone, the selection of which really depends on your personal taste.  However, before you buy a ring, it is important to know the differences between the two.

Pros and Cons of Men’s White Gold Wedding Bands
Pros: For men who love the look of platinum but cannot justify the cost, white gold is a much less expensive option.  White gold is actually an alloy that is made by adding other metals, such as nickel, silver and palladium to pure yellow gold.  Because of its white, silvery color, white gold can really highlight the brilliance of diamonds, and is also stronger and more scratch-resistant than yellow gold.
Cons: Buyers should be aware that rings containing nickel can cause an allergic reaction. White gold wedding bands may also be rhodium-plated, a surface that can wear away over time.  In order to maintain its brilliant white color, men’s gold wedding bands made from white gold may need to be re-plated every few years.

Pros and Cons of Men’s Yellow Gold Wedding Bands
Pros: Yellow is still the classic color in men’s gold wedding bands, and it has enjoyed periods of intense popularity over the years.  Unlike white gold, it never needs to be re-plated, and will not cause allergic reactions because there is no nickel in yellow gold.  The unmistakable shine of yellow gold means it is always recognizable as a precious metal and will never be mistaken for sterling silver. 
Cons: Men’s gold wedding bands made from whiter tones, like white gold, platinum and silver, tend to look better next to every skin tone, while yellow gold tends to complement only warmer skin tones.  The current trend is toward whiter metals, so if you’re looking for a modern design, it may not be available in yellow gold.  Also, since yellow gold is softer than white gold, it may need to be polished more frequently to retain its shine. 

Despite the various options available in men’s gold wedding bands, most men discover that they can narrow down the selection pretty quickly and find a gold ring that will be a perfect expression of their eternal love.

Men's Silver Wedding Rings

Since ancient times, jewelry has played an important role in romantic relationships, and the wedding band has played an integral part in symbolizing the permanence and sincerity of marriage. For a while there, men could only find a wedding ring in various grades of gold; but today there are several other options including platinum, sterling silver, titanium, and tungsten.

However, silver wedding rings are more popular than ever. They come in several different styles and patterns, are affordably priced, and made from .925 grade silver. This high quality silver is 92.5% pure silver with about 7.5% copper.

Why buy silver wedding rings?

Silver wedding bands are an excellent choice if you want a ring that is affordable, long-lasting and available in a number of styles. Silver rings can be designed with a classic domed profile, with a brushed or polished face, with raised or beveled edges and much, much more. Other designs include Celtic wedding rings, bands with a carbon fiber inlay and Christian rings, to name a few. Some even come with a Comfort-fit design, which means the inside edges are rounded for an effortless fit.

Benchmark 10 mm Designer Engraved & Polished Finish Silver Wedding Band

Silver is one of the oldest metals ever used to make jewelry. It can be used to make a ring look rich and lustrous, classic or contemporary, plus it is easy to clean and keep looking like new. Many people believe that silver improves over time, looking more and more attractive the longer you wear it.

While all of these are great reasons to buy silver wedding rings, the best part about silver is definitely the price. This affordable metal makes it easier to buy the ring you really want without spending too much money. Choosing silver gives couples a beautiful way to celebrate their marriage without adding the considerable cost of metals like gold or platinum.

Many jewelers and online retailers will provide customers with the option of having a personalized message engraved onto the ring. And just like other metals, silver wedding rings are available in a variety of widths. Each popular style is usually available in 4, 6, and 8 mm widths.

If you are looking for a great selection of men's silver wedding rings in a variety of designs, then the best place to go is online. Most “brick and mortar” jewelers only sell wedding bands made from gold and platinum, but online jewelry stores recognize that their sales rely on customer demand. To find the perfect band for you, check the selection of silver wedding rings for men and compare prices online.