Men's wedding rings come in a wide range of masculine styles, with thicker bands than women's rings.

Historical Overview

Double band wedding ceremonies are a relatively new phenomenon. Though commonplace today, brides and grooms started exchanging wedding bands after World War II, when the economic boom led to more disposable income to spend on jewelry. The tradition became commonplace during the 1970s, causing jewelers to increase their production of men’s wedding bands to meet demand.

Styles

Over the last half-century, men’s wedding rings have become symbols of the love the husband and wife share. Today, men’s wedding ring designs are more intricate and tailored to complement the grooms’ distinct style. The rings are made from platinum, silver, white or yellow gold precious metals. When purchasing a wedding ring, be sure to choose the precious metal that matches the bride’s engagement ring. For example, if the bride has a platinum engagement ring, the groom’s wedding ring should also be made from platinum.

Men’s wedding rings can be studded with diamonds and other precious gem stones. Since men’s wedding bands are wider, the ring will retain a decidedly masculine appearance. Jewelry manufacturers also produce an array of polished metal bands without diamonds for men who prefer a simple band.

Comfort

Comfort is immensely important when purchasing jewelry. Since the ring will be worn daily, you should be able to easily slip it on your finger. The wedding ring should also fit smoothly and not pinch or press against your skin. Avoid wedding bands with jagged edges. Choose rings with smooth, round edges instead, since they will be softer on your finger.

Care

Lastly, be sure to take good care of the ring. Take the wedding band off when you are doing yard work, performing maintenance on the car, dealing with harsh chemicals, or playing sports. Polish the band and clean the band as well to retain its brilliant finish. In addition to extending the life of your band, taking proper care of your wedding ring will show your bride how much you care about her and the love you share.

Natalie Portman sports a stunning antique engagement ring that is eco-friendly, in keeping with her vegan lifestyle.

In contrast with the high profile weddings of many celebs, Natalie Portman and her French fiancé Benjamin Millepied wed in a private ceremony in February 2012. The couple met on the set of “Black Swan,” where Millepied was a choreographer and Portman played the lead role of a veteran ballerina. As with their wedding, the couple took a non-traditional approach to the wedding jewelry, keeping Portman’s concern for the environment in mind.

The couple went for eco-friendly wedding bands, donning them to the 2012 Oscars. The bands are made from recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds. Millepied’s band is comprised of recycled platinum. Portman sports two wedding bands, each with a conflict-free diamond, which she wears on either side of her engagement ring.

Newlyweds Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied wore their eco-friendly wedding bands to the 2012 Oscars.

Millepied helped design Portman’s engagement ring, a beautiful antique diamond sparkler that is also eco-friendly. The bauble features a recycled platinum band, an antique center stone and accenting pavé diamonds taken from a conflict-free mine. Portman, a vegan, is paving the way for women who want to show their love with eco-friendly, dazzling diamonds. Natalie Portman’s designer diamond engagement ring is truly fitting for her taste.

The couple got engaged in December 2010 and Portman gave birth to their first child in 2011.

Local Jewelry Stores in L.A.

Local jewelry stores offer a vast selection of fine jewelry – from engagement rings to platinum watches. When you shop at a local jeweler, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one attention, unlike the quick in-and-out service many chain stores offer. You’re also much more likely to deal directly with the owner at a local jewelry store, and employees tend to take more pride in the store’s business and services as well. You won’t feel like just another number or have canned sales pitches thrown at you when you shop at local jewelry stores.

Local jewelry stores in L.A. include unique boutiques such as Satine and EM & Co., which offer eclectic jewelry, and antique jewelers such as Craig Evan Small Estate Jewelry, as well as shops in the Jewelry District, including Icing on the Ring and K C Jewelry Designs.

Jewelry Selection

The extensive choices of local jewelry stores in L.A. guarantees a great shopping experience, where you’re sure to find the perfect jewelry to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a wedding ring, engagement ring, gemstone jewelry, pendant or antique jewelry, the local jewelry stores in L.A. offer pieces in styles ranging from contemporary to classic to vintage.

Valentine’s Day is a jewelry lover’s favorite holiday, with beautiful selections of bracelets, earrings, rings and necklaces, many with heart-shaped carvings to emphasize love’s lasting power. The perfect time to propose is Valentine’s Day, and the perfect place to buy is from a local shop.

Local jewelers offer excellent selection and services, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. If your heart’s set on wedding bells, you can find the perfect ring to pop the question to your love at a Los Angeles engagement rings store.

Tacori

Tacori jewelry’s art-deco style engagement rings are classically refined. The popular designer is known for offering distinctive touches such as lace-like bands that are reminiscent of crescent moons, and heirloom jewelry that offsets classic designs with modern flourishes.

Tacori’s Hand-Engraved Collection features stunning solitaire and three-stone rings.  The Emerald Three-stone ring is a standout due to the large emerald-cut center flanked by two small emerald-cut diamonds. The stones are mounted on a hand-engraved platinum band. Another top choice is the solitaire diamond ring with a ribbon-twist band. The platinum-shank band features the designer’s distinct crescent silhouette diamonds, which sparkle beautifully in light.

Tacori engagement rings range from $3,000 to more than $10,000.

Scott Kay

“Never Compromise” is the credo for Scott Kay Bridal, and judging by their collection of vintage engagement rings, the designer pulls out all stops to create memorable pieces.

Scott Kay Bridal’s Crown Collection is fit for royalty. Rings in this collection feature raised diamond center stones, flanked by pave-set diamonds. The precious metal bands range from simplistic, beautiful finishes, to ornate bands with intricate designs.

The Luminaire Collection is noted for many design styles that are used to create a halo of diamonds around the center stone. The Luminaire Collection’s Halo Style Pave Diamond ring is a collection highlight. The stunning piece features a princess-cut center stone, surrounded by a halo of white diamonds. The engraved band shimmers with brilliant round diamonds and a “surprise diamond” underneath the diamond basket.

Scott Kay Bridal engagement rings use palladium bands, in addition to white or yellow gold precious metals. The engagement rings range from $1,200 to $7,000.

Simon G

Simon G’s innovative designs are known for adding a bit of pop to the wearer’s fingers. The designer is a top choice for vintage-style rings due to their use of precious metals such as platinum, 18K white, yellow or rose gold, as well as colored gem stones.

Simon G’s split-shank engagement rings are among the designer’s most appealing choices when you want to show off a larger stone. The openwork designs that adorn the band create the perfect backdrop to highlight the center diamond.

If you desire a fancy engagement ring, Simon G’s two-tone engagement rings fit the bill. The halo engagement ring features a mosaic center comprised of an emerald-cut diamond and 7 baguette-cut white diamonds. The center mosaic is framed by a halo of round brilliant-cut pink diamonds, and set on a white gold band studded with white and pink round diamonds. The two-tone engagement rings perfectly illustrate the designer’s use of color and they look elegant on the wearer’s hand.

Simon G. engagement rings range from $2,000 to $8,000.