The Best Wedding Rings and Bands for Men: How to Choose the Right Ring

Why the Wedding Band is the Most Important Jewelry Decision You’ll Make

When you think about the wedding ring you’ll wear every day for the rest of your life, there are quite a few things to consider. This is a ring that will show up in every photo, at every meeting, and in every other moment following the day you start to wear it. Making the right decision here is something that will follow you forever, so GLD created a guide to help you make the best choice.

What Makes a Men’s Wedding Band Different from Other Rings

The wedding band is a stand-alone statement piece that’s worn every day. It’s the most consistent and important piece of jewelry in your collection. The key aspects that matter most about wedding bands for men are width, metal, fit, finish, and style. Options vary depending on the groom's style, but some universal elements include the need for a durable ring designed for daily wear, quality, and comfort. GLD offers a wide collection of men’s rings so you can find what works best for you.

How to Choose the Right Men’s Wedding Band: The Four-point Framework

The four key elements to understand when choosing a wedding band are the material, the width, the fit, and the style of the band. Here’s a quick breakdown of each of the four key elements.

Materials:The material of the ring is one of the most important things to consider. After all, you want something that will last you a lifetime. Although all our pieces are guaranteed for life, GLD recommends going with a solid gold option in either 10K or 14K for the special ring. Some other options include platinum, vermeil, moissanite, and lab-grown diamonds. Check our collection of fine rings for men and fine rings for women for more options.

Width:The width of the ring directly impacts the aesthetic it creates, as well as how comfortable it will be for the wearer. The most common widths of men’s wedding bands range from 2mm to 8mm, and GLD offers options from 2mm to 8mm, with 6mm being the perfect sweet spot for grooms. There are slimmer, sleek options like 2mm High Polish Rounded Band in Solid Gold, and also bolder, thicker options like the 6mm High Polish Rounded Band in Solid Gold or the Triple Row Eternity Lab Diamond Band in Solid White Gold.

Fit:The fit works hand-in-hand with the width, because thicker fingers pair better with thicker bands, while thinner bands work better for slimmer fingers. The standard fit has a flat interior that easily slides on or off. The comfort fit has a rounded interior that fits comfortably against the finger. When you’re choosing a comfort-fit ring, you should size up half a size from your usual measurement. GLD rings are available in sizes 5 through 13, and if you fall between sizes, we recommend going with the larger size for a more comfortable fit.

Style: The main styles for men's wedding bands are the classic plain band, the eternity band with continuous stones, the multi-layer diamond band, and the textured or edge bands. The style of the ring directly reflects the style of the groom, making it personal. The style guide table in the ‘wedding bands by style’ section below walks you through each option and gives you the recommended GLD pick for each. 

Men’s Wedding Band Materials: Gold, Platinum, Moissanite, and More

There are many directions the groom can go in when choosing his wedding band material. The table below breaks it down by how it will look, a deeper dive on durability, who it’s best for, and the GLD recommended options.

Men's wedding band materials guide

Men’s Wedding Band Width and Fit Guide

The width and fit of your wedding band go hand-in-hand with one another. These elements are dependent on how you want the band to look on you, but also the size of your hands and fingers. Here’s a breakdown of each width, how they will look and fit, and the best GLD options for each scenario.

Men's wedding band width & fit guide

The Best Men’s Wedding Bands by Style

There are numerous styles of wedding bands, each distinctly unique, which is great because everyone has their own personal style. Regardless of whether you're the most minimalistic person or love flashy jewelry, there’s a wedding band to reflect that. 

Men's wedding band styles guide

Find Your Ring

GLD has been designing fine jewelry for men since 2015, offering one of the most versatile wedding band collections available. If you’re still on the fence, here are our recommended picks for each category and their price. There’s a perfect ring for every groom, so explore our full collection to find the right ring for you.

Best GLD wedding bands by category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best metal for a men's wedding band? Solid gold in either 10K or 14K is the best metal for a men's wedding band. 10K solid gold is the most durable option for daily wear and active lifestyles. 14K solid gold has a richer color and higher purity. For the groom who wants the most premium material available, platinum is the top choice.

What width wedding band should I get? 6mm is GLD's recommended width for men's wedding bands and the most popular choice. It stands out on every hand without looking overwhelming. For slimmer fingers or a minimalistic look, 2mm or 3mm work best. For larger hands, a 6mm width is the way to go.

What is the difference between a comfort fit and a standard fit wedding band? A standard fit ring has a flat interior that slides on and off easily, while a comfort fit ring has a rounded interior that sits more naturally against the finger. If you choose a comfort fit ring, size up half a size from your standard measurement.

What size wedding band should I get? It depends on your ring size and GLD rings are available in sizes 5 through 13. If you fall between sizes, GLD recommends going with the larger size for a more comfortable everyday fit.

What is the difference between vermeil and solid gold wedding bands? Vermeil is a sterling silver base layered with thick 18K gold which has the same look as solid gold at a lower price point. Solid gold in 10K or 14K is more durable, holds its value, and is a better long-term investment for a ring you wear every day.

What is a moissanite wedding band? A moissanite wedding band features moissanite stones, which are nearly as hard as diamonds (9.25/10 on the Mohs scale) and have a diamond-like shine at a fraction of the price. GLD's moissanite wedding bands include the Men's 5 Layer Moissanite Diamond Band Ring in Yellow Gold Vermeil ($190).

What are lab grown diamond wedding bands? Lab grown diamond wedding bands feature real diamonds that are grown in a lab rather than mined. They are chemically identical to natural diamonds, score a 10/10 on the Mohs scale, and are available at a significantly lower price. GLD's lab diamond wedding bands start at $3,500 in solid white gold and at $4,500 in platinum.

What is the best wedding band for an active lifestyle?For an active lifestyle, GLD recommends the 4mm or 6mm High Polish Rounded Band in Solid Gold which are both built for daily wear and long-term durability. The solid gold construction holds up to hands-on activity, the gym, and travel without the need to ever remove the ring.

John Polanco

John Polanco is a copywriter from the birthplace of hip-hop whose work spans jewelry, fashion, beauty, music, world-leading brands, and art institutions shaping the diaspora.