Your Guide to the Wide World of Different Wedding Band Styles

These days, guys are spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding bands. Between all of the available styles, materials, and finishes, there are millions of potential combinations to pick from. It’s definitely preferable to the days in which men had only a handful of ring options to choose from. But, it can be tough to sort through so many options, especially if you aren’t familiar with commonly used jewelry terms. 

 

We put together this quick glossary and guide to help you make sense of the world of wedding bands. Here, we’ll explain some of the most common terms for wedding band styles and finishes. By the end of this article, you’ll be much better prepared to choose the ring you’ll wear forever. 

 

1. Domed Wedding Band

2. Step Edge Wedding Band

3. Men’s Grooved Wedding Band

4. Channel Set Wedding Band

5. Carbon Fiber Wedding Band

6. Ion Plated Wedding Band

7. Brushed Finish

8. Matte Finish

9. Polished Finish

 

Domed Wedding Band

You may not be familiar with the terminology, but you’ve definitely seen a domed wedding band before. This is a traditional wedding band style, great for the guys looking for a classic option. The name refers to the band’s profile, which is rounded (like a dome).

 

Rather than sitting flat against the finger, domed wedding bands curve outward, giving the design some depth and visual interest. Thanks to the rounded shape, these bands catch and reflect light from every angle. 

 

You can choose from low, high, or slightly domed rings. Slightly domed rings have the least dramatic outward curve, while high-domed rings are prominently curved. What you prefer depends on your aesthetic preferences and personal comfort, but there’s no wrong way to wear a domed wedding band. 

Step Edge Wedding Band

The step edge ring has two edges, an outer edge and an inner edge, with a small, single ‘step’ between the edges. The edges are typically flat to help keep the ring from being too bulky. The step edge wedding band cuts an attractive silhouette, traditional but with a twist.

 

Beveled Edge Wedding Band

A beveled edge refers to an angled edge. Strictly speaking, to be considered a beveled edge, the edge has to be angled at less than 990 degrees (otherwise it’s a standard perpendicular edge). This term is used not only in jewelry but in woodworking, construction, and other building contexts. It’s a popular design element that gives beveled edge wedding bands some visual interest and creates a softer silhouette.

Grooved Wedding Band

A grooved wedding band is simply one that features a groove of any kind. A groove is a narrow cut or depression in the metal of the ring. It doesn’t make the ring any more or less durable–it’s just an aesthetic choice. Men’s grooved wedding bands are popular among guys who like classic silhouettes with a bit of modern appeal. They can be carved into any style of ring to set it apart from the crowd. 

Channel Set Wedding Band

‘Channel set’ refers to a wedding band that contains diamonds or other gemstones incorporated in a specific way. The stones are set in a recessed row along the middle of the band, secured on each side by the metal walls of the ring. Think of a channel of water between two banks and it’s easy to see where this design got its name from. 

 

Channel set wedding bands are great if you like more substantial jewelry. The diamonds or other gemstones will add a nice weight to the band. Channel settings are also a fantastic way to subtly include stones in your ring. The stones will still sparkle and catch the eye, but won’t be as prominent since they are set deeper within the band.

 

Channel settings can be used in many different ring styles, though you’re more likely to see them within domed bands, since the domed band’s profile is thick enough to carve a channel into. 

Carbon Fiber Wedding Band

A carbon fiber men’s ring may be entirely made of carbon fiber, or simply feature carbon fiber accents. Carbon fiber offers plenty of benefits, not to mention a unique aesthetic appeal.

 

Carbon fiber is exceptionally durable and long-lasting. It is chemical resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures. It’s a great choice for guys who work with their hands, as long as they aren’t working with electricity (because carbon fiber is conductive). However, it’s an increasingly popular choice for men in other careers that require lots of hands-on involvement.

 

Aesthetically, carbon fiber rings offer a sleek look. Despite not being a traditional wedding band material, carbon fiber wedding bands still look classic and professional. Carbon fiber can also be woven into various unique and attractive patterns.  

Ion Plated Wedding Band

Ion plating is a process used to deposit hard coatings onto metal surfaces. An ion plated wedding band is a ring that has undergone this process. 

 

Ion plating is used for tools as well as jewelry. It applies an extra hardwearing and durable finish and is especially common for alternative metals such as stainless steel. Of course, stainless steel is plenty strong on its own. However, if your ring will be exposed to more consistent wear-and-tear, or if you’d like the extra peace of mind, ion plating may be the best choice for you.

 

The ion plating process begins with a thorough cleaning of the base metal. Then, the coating material is prepared with a special bonding agent. The coating and bonding agent are then vaporized by an electric charge, and the vapor is propelled onto the bonding material. An opposing electrical charge is used to force the coating to bond with the base metal. The end result is a tough and rugged ion plated wedding band.

Brushed Finish

A brushed finish creates a sleek texture along the surface of your wedding band. It is sometimes called a ‘dull polish’ because it gives metal a less intense, but still polished, look. To create a brushed finish, the metal is rubbed with an abrasive surface to create texture. The process results in very fine, parallel lines. It provides rings with a rustic touch, while still appearing sleek and modern.

Matte Finish

A matte finish is the opposite of a polished finish. While the polished finish is high-shine, the matte finish is much less reflective. Though it still has some shine, as any metal does, it captures and reflects very little light. It’s a striking look, especially because it’s not what one expected from a wedding ring. The effect is especially visible on thicker/wider men’s wedding bands. The matte finish offers rings a distinctive, modern look.

Polished Finish

The polished finish is the traditional finish for a wedding ring. As its name implies, it is the shiniest and most reflective of the finishes. When you look into a well-polished ring, you’ll see your own reflection. Like all wedding rings, polished finish rings will need occasional cleaning. However, it may need more frequent upkeep than rings with other finishes if you want to keep it looking as shiny as it did originally. That being said, it’s a small price to pay for such an attractive and classic finish.

Discover Your Men’s Wedding Band Options With Robert Alton

 

Buying a wedding band is a big decision, and it’s important to be fully informed before you make your choice. Hopefully, you’re feeling better equipped to start shopping around now. Whether a particular style or finish interests you or you’re still exploring your options, we encourage you to pay us a visit at www.robertalton.com and check out our collection of men’s bands. 

 

No matter what style you choose, you deserve durable jewelry that can keep up with your lifestyle. You deserve real jewelry for real life, and that’s exactly what we offer.