Some men assume that selecting a wedding ring for themselves is pretty much a case of grabbing the first wedding band off the shelf that fits your finger. However, since that wedding ring is going to be on your finger for many years it is important that you select a wedding ring that meets some criteria. Read on for some tips on how to select a wedding ring that is going to last the test of time.

Metal. OK, there are more metals to select from than the standard gold wedding ring. Men should consider any other jewelry that they wear, including their watch. Do you have a gold dress watch, or is it stainless steel? Do you want your wedding ring to match? Do you want to match your fiancee’s wedding ring? Do you have skin allergies? Do you like traditional, contemporary, or unique wedding rings? Lastly, what is your budget?

Popular selections for men’s wedding ring metals include gold, both yellow and white, platinum, titanium, tungsten, and palladium. From a hard wearing point of view, palladium, platinum, tungsten, ceramic, and titanium wedding rings are all very strong. These metals are also great for anyone with skin issues as they are all hypo-allergenic. From a budget point of view, platinum will cost you the most, followed by the golds, and then palladium.

Men who favor the contemporary look may prefer the tinted titaniums which are available in blacks, grays, and a variety of other eye catching colors. Incorporating more than one colored metal into a wedding ring is also extremely popular, and not only adds visual appeal, but can solve problems of matching watches, other jewelry and of course the bride’s wedding ring.

Lifestyle and Work. This is a very important consideration for most men. Do you have a job that involves using your hands in manual labor? Do you come into contact with corrosive chemicals? Do you play contact sports? Many men would just remove their wedding ring for vigorous activities, but if this is a daily issue for you, then you may prefer to select a wedding ring that is up to the challenge. Another important point to note is if you are in risk of catching your wedding ring on anything and having to have it cut off? One drawback to a totally indestructible wedding ring is that they can’t be cut off quickly in the case of an accident. This can be an issue with both aircraft grade titanium and tungsten wedding rings.

Design. There are many wedding ring designs to select from apart from the traditional band. Male wedding rings can be carved, woven, plaited, include stones, or be multi-colored, just for starters. However, many of these wedding rings may not be suitable for daily heavy manual labor.