Sheeran is among a small — but increasingly noticeable — group of men who are choosing to wear engagement rings to publicly showcase their relationship status.
“I never saw why men didn’t wear engagement rings,” he remarked in February 2018. “Because it’s the same commitment either way.”
What’s the History Behind Engagement Rings?
The tradition of giving engagement rings goes back several centuries, according to the American Gem Society. The first diamond engagement ring was believed to be commissioned by Archduke Maximilian of Austria for his fiancée in 1477.
From that point, the practice gained popularity. Men would present engagement rings to women to indicate they were no longer available to other suitors.
Until the 1930s, engagement rings for women also had a financial aspect. Women could sue if the engagement was broken off, as they were seen as “damaged goods” post-engagement but pre-marriage. They could sell the ring to gain financial support after a breakup.
Are Engagement Rings for Guys Common?
There aren’t definitive statistics on how many men wear engagement rings since it’s still an emerging trend.
The concept of men wearing engagement rings dates back to at least 1926. L. Bamberger & Co. — later known as Macy’s — ran ads in East Coast newspapers for men’s engagement rings. The ads featured men wearing rings branded with masculine names like the Stag and the Master.
These ads didn’t gain much traction as engagement rings were seen as an exclusively female accessory. However, attitudes may be changing. A survey by The Knot found that around five percent of men wear engagement rings.
The reasons behind this vary. For some couples, it’s a matter of tradition.
Singer Michael Buble wore an engagement ring after proposing to his now-wife Luisana Lopilato in 2010. “In her home country of Argentina, the boy also wears the engagement ring,” he explained. Men like Sheeran choose to wear engagement rings as a symbol of a balanced partnership where both parties share equal responsibilities — including wearing engagement rings.
What Styles Exist for Men’s Engagement Rings?
Traditionally, women’s engagement rings featured solitaire diamonds with yellow gold bands and perhaps additional gems. Today’s brides-to-be often prefer more unique, personalized rings with multicolored stones and non-traditional metals like rose gold.
Men’s engagement rings follow a similar trend. Many resemble metal wedding bands, while others are custom-made with diamonds and other gems. Given that relatively few men wear engagement rings, the creative possibilities are expansive. “Cherry made it for me herself out of silver clay and I really like it,” Sheeran said about his engagement ring from his fiancée.
So, do men wear engagement rings? Indeed, they do. At Artful Bracelets, we believe in opting for a diamond engagement band followed by a simpler wedding band. Getting matching engagement rings is a perfect way to signify your commitment as a couple before the big day.
