If you’re not from a North European or South American country, you may be surprised to learn about engagement rings for men. In Southern Europe and the US, engagement rings are traditionally only presented to the woman but in many places around the world, such as Iceland and Chile, both halves of the couple actually wear engagement rings. With increased LGBTQ+ representation, it's becoming much more common for both partners to wear rings in the UK as well.
In this engagement ring guide for men, we’ll go over everything you need to know when looking at buying an engagement ring for your husband-to-be.
How to find the perfect ring
Set your budget
It used to be said that the proposer would have to spend three months’ rent on an engagement ring, however, that amount is much more flexible now. Instead of saving up that amount of money, it’s much more common to purchase rings of almost any amount as long as it's within your means.
To work out your budget for the perfect ring, use our
engagement ring calculator.
Choose the setting
The setting of a ring describes the way in which gemstones are set, or mounted, into a metal band. Although the most common you might see in women’s rings is the prong style setting, there are other options that offer more discreet or subtle gemstone settings to choose from.
Bezel
The bezel setting features a metal rim that protects the edges of a gemstone. Bezel-set engagement rings are defined by a flat surface that exposes only the crown, or top, of the stones.
Channel
The channel setting features diamonds set within two parallel walls of metal inside the band. Durable and stylish, channel-set engagement rings are prized for their seamless flow of light.
Flush
In a flush setting, the diamond is set into a hole in the band, so the diamond sits “flush” with the ring's band.
Prong
The prong setting is the most popular style of women’s rings and features slim metal arms that securely cradle the diamond. The open design allows light to enter from all sights, maximising the brilliance and fire of the stone.
Pick the stone shape
Your next step in choosing the perfect engagement ring is to decide on the stone shape. There are all kinds of different shapes of gemstones each with its own charm and appeal.
Round
Also known as the brilliant round cut, this is the most popular gemstone shape. Once reserved exclusively for diamonds, the facets of this shape are cut in a way to optimize the dispersion of light in a stone.
Princess
This is the second most popular cut behind the round shape. No matter how many facets you find in a stone with this shape, it still creates excellent sparkle.
Emerald
Originally designed for their namesake, an emerald cut emphasizes the colour of a stone as it tends to show more vividly with this style of cut. The shape looks like a rectangle from the top with trimmed corners.
Oval
Created in the late 1950s, the oval cut offers the brilliance and fire of round-cut gemstones but in a more unique shape. The elongated silhouette also helps to create the illusion of a larger gemstone.
Radiant
The radiant cut is a hybrid between the emerald shape and round shape. This combination of shapes improves the sparkle and brilliance of the stone while preserving the depth helping to draw the eye into the stone.
Asscher
This shape is a hybrid of the princess and emerald cut and is characterized by a distinct X shape in the gemstone’s table (top), cropped corners, and step-cuts to maximize a gem’s clarity. The name of this cut comes from the Asscher brothers who developed it in 1902.
Find the right size
Men's and women’s ring sizing works the exact same way, so there’s no difference in the method by which you can find the ring size. Check out our
ring size guide to learn how to measure the ring size.
If your ring doesn’t quite fit, however, we offer a free
30-day resizing service to ensure the perfect fit.
How to care for your engagement ring
When it comes to caring for your engagement ring, cleaning it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm soapy water will help to remove grease and dirt and keep it looking like new.
It’s also a good idea to insure your engagement ring. Although most jewellery up to a certain value is included in contents insurance policies, taking out speciality
jewellery insurance is one of the best ways to ensure your ring is kept safe.
How to buy a men’s engagement ring
There are two ways you can buy a men’s engagement ring for your love. Visit us in
one of our showrooms for a personalised consultation and to browse our stunning range of rings.
Alternatively, you can shop online to find your perfect ring. With quick delivery depending on your chosen ring and customisable designs, shopping for engagement rings online is convenient and safe.
Frequently asked questions
Do men wear engagement rings?
Plenty of men are starting to wear engagement rings in the UK but it has been a long-standing tradition in many North European countries for both partners to wear a ring and declare their commitment. Read more about it in our
Do Men Wear Engagement Rings engagement ring guide for men.
Who buys the man’s engagement ring?
This depends on the couple but typically it will be bought by their partner in both opposite- and same-sex relationships.
What hand does the man wear the engagement ring on?
The same finger that he will wear his wedding ring on - the ring, or third, finger of his left hand.
How can I look after an engagement ring?
You can keep your jewellery clean with an appropriate jewellery cleaner or by soaking it in some warm soapy water for 15 minutes and giving it a gentle scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This removes any tarnish, grease, and dirt to help keep it clean and looking like new.
Never wear your engagement ring while swimming or taking part in watersports and make sure you take it off when you’re at the gym or when you’re cleaning the house or taking on DIY projects to avoid it becoming lost and/or damaged.
How much to spend on an engagement ring for a man?
Traditionally, it is said you should spend 3 months’ salary on a ring. However, if that amount isn’t feasible for you, if it will put you into debt, or you spot a ring that your partner will love below that amount, there’s no rule saying you can’t lower that limit. It’s entirely up to you and your budget.
Channel Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £762
Channel Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £832
Flush Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £810
Bezel Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £800
Channel Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £781
Channel Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £959
Prong Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £1,469
Prong Setting Diamond Mens Engagement Ring
From £1,018
Channel Setting Moissanite Mens Engagement Ring
From £1,673
Prong Setting Moissanite Mens Engagement Ring
From £1,271
In this engagement ring guide for men, we’ll go over everything you need to know when looking at buying an engagement ring for your husband-to-be.How to find the perfect ring
Set your budget
It used to be said that the proposer would have to spend three months’ rent on an engagement ring, however, that amount is much more flexible now. Instead of saving up that amount of money, it’s much more common to purchase rings of almost any amount as long as it's within your means.
To work out your budget for the perfect ring, use our engagement ring calculator.Choose the setting
The setting of a ring describes the way in which gemstones are set, or mounted, into a metal band. Although the most common you might see in women’s rings is the prong style setting, there are other options that offer more discreet or subtle gemstone settings to choose from.Bezel
The bezel setting features a metal rim that protects the edges of a gemstone. Bezel-set engagement rings are defined by a flat surface that exposes only the crown, or top, of the stones.Channel
The channel setting features diamonds set within two parallel walls of metal inside the band. Durable and stylish, channel-set engagement rings are prized for their seamless flow of light.Flush
In a flush setting, the diamond is set into a hole in the band, so the diamond sits “flush” with the ring's band.Prong
The prong setting is the most popular style of women’s rings and features slim metal arms that securely cradle the diamond. The open design allows light to enter from all sights, maximising the brilliance and fire of the stone.Pick the stone shape
Your next step in choosing the perfect engagement ring is to decide on the stone shape. There are all kinds of different shapes of gemstones each with its own charm and appeal.Round
Also known as the brilliant round cut, this is the most popular gemstone shape. Once reserved exclusively for diamonds, the facets of this shape are cut in a way to optimize the dispersion of light in a stone.Princess
This is the second most popular cut behind the round shape. No matter how many facets you find in a stone with this shape, it still creates excellent sparkle.Emerald
Originally designed for their namesake, an emerald cut emphasizes the colour of a stone as it tends to show more vividly with this style of cut. The shape looks like a rectangle from the top with trimmed corners.Oval
Created in the late 1950s, the oval cut offers the brilliance and fire of round-cut gemstones but in a more unique shape. The elongated silhouette also helps to create the illusion of a larger gemstone.Radiant
The radiant cut is a hybrid between the emerald shape and round shape. This combination of shapes improves the sparkle and brilliance of the stone while preserving the depth helping to draw the eye into the stone.Asscher
This shape is a hybrid of the princess and emerald cut and is characterized by a distinct X shape in the gemstone’s table (top), cropped corners, and step-cuts to maximize a gem’s clarity. The name of this cut comes from the Asscher brothers who developed it in 1902.Find the right size
Men's and women’s ring sizing works the exact same way, so there’s no difference in the method by which you can find the ring size. Check out our ring size guide to learn how to measure the ring size.
If your ring doesn’t quite fit, however, we offer a free 30-day resizing service to ensure the perfect fit.How to care for your engagement ring
When it comes to caring for your engagement ring, cleaning it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm soapy water will help to remove grease and dirt and keep it looking like new.
It’s also a good idea to insure your engagement ring. Although most jewellery up to a certain value is included in contents insurance policies, taking out speciality jewellery insurance is one of the best ways to ensure your ring is kept safe.How to buy a men’s engagement ring
There are two ways you can buy a men’s engagement ring for your love. Visit us in one of our showrooms for a personalised consultation and to browse our stunning range of rings.
Alternatively, you can shop online to find your perfect ring. With quick delivery depending on your chosen ring and customisable designs, shopping for engagement rings online is convenient and safe.Frequently asked questions
Do men wear engagement rings?
Plenty of men are starting to wear engagement rings in the UK but it has been a long-standing tradition in many North European countries for both partners to wear a ring and declare their commitment. Read more about it in our Do Men Wear Engagement Rings engagement ring guide for men.Who buys the man’s engagement ring?
This depends on the couple but typically it will be bought by their partner in both opposite- and same-sex relationships.What hand does the man wear the engagement ring on?
The same finger that he will wear his wedding ring on - the ring, or third, finger of his left hand.How can I look after an engagement ring?
You can keep your jewellery clean with an appropriate jewellery cleaner or by soaking it in some warm soapy water for 15 minutes and giving it a gentle scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This removes any tarnish, grease, and dirt to help keep it clean and looking like new.
Never wear your engagement ring while swimming or taking part in watersports and make sure you take it off when you’re at the gym or when you’re cleaning the house or taking on DIY projects to avoid it becoming lost and/or damaged.How much to spend on an engagement ring for a man?
Traditionally, it is said you should spend 3 months’ salary on a ring. However, if that amount isn’t feasible for you, if it will put you into debt, or you spot a ring that your partner will love below that amount, there’s no rule saying you can’t lower that limit. It’s entirely up to you and your budget.