Man ring

I'll tell you a secret – rings give us more information than we used to think. For thousands of years, men have worn them to tell us about their wealth, wealth, belonging to a particular society. A men's ring can inform us that you are married or single, that you attended a military academy, that you are in some kind of brotherhood or culture. .

The goal of this article is to learn how to wear a ring (or multiple rings) with confidence and style. First, we will look at the hidden meaning of the ring worn on this or that finger, and then we will get acquainted with the five rules that every man who put jewelry on his hands must follow.

Which hand to wear the ring on

For the most part, there are no hard and fast rules for wearing rings. Engagement and wedding rings are an exception, as there are many specific cultural traditions, each of which requires them to be worn in their own way. Therefore, when putting on the ring, you should not worry about the left-hand rule, as in most cases there is none. If there is a difference on which hand to wear it, then you will be warned about this in advance.

In some cultures, it is customary to wear a wedding ring on the right hand, in others – on the left.

However, you can decide which hand to wear the ring on based on how you feel comfortable. The right hand is usually seen as the 'physical' hand – the active, dominant hand that performs most of the gestures and actions. The left hand is considered to be the 'mental' hand, representing your character and beliefs. This of course applies to right-handers, for left-handers it's the opposite.

In the end, we are now talking about some very abstract concepts – do not be afraid to go your own way and do as you please.

On which finger to wear a man's ring

Let's take a look at what the male ring on each of the fingers symbolizes and, for fun, consider its cultural significance.

Pinky ring

Men's pinky ring

Культура&история

The pinkie ring doesn't have many cultural connotations. For this reason, rings that are worn for self-expression are often worn on this finger. But there is one peculiarity of the ring on the little finger, as it is most often associated with belonging to organized crime. Mafia members wear pinky rings and cinema has made it public (long live the godfather!)

In some parts of Europe, a printed ring was worn on the little finger, which symbolized the family and its status.

Style

The pinkie ring is smaller and therefore cheaper. So if you do not have much savings, then for sure your choice will fall on such a decoration. In addition, despite its size, a ring on the little finger will attract attention no less than on any other finger.

Ring on the ring finger

Men's ring on the ring finger

Культура&история

This finger is traditionally reserved for an engagement or wedding ring. Depending on the culture and religion of the wearer, the wedding ring is worn on either the right or left hand. For example, men who marry in the Orthodox Church will wear their wedding ring on their right hand, as do men from Denmark, Norway, Russia, Poland, and Bulgaria.

Style

Since most men prefer to choose simpler wedding rings, if you wear something more noticeable and bright, it is unlikely to be mistaken for an engagement. For example, an engagement ring with small diamonds in a circle can be both an adornment and an engagement ring.

Ring on the middle finger

Men's ring on the middle finger

Культура&история

The person who wears the ring on this finger prefers convenience and style. Surprisingly, very few people wear rings on the middle finger. This is likely due to the fact that you will need a much larger ring for this finger, which will incur additional costs. This is probably the most 'masculine' finger for a ring, as no one would mistake it for a wedding ring (let alone how stylish you can send people off with it).

Style

For this finger, it is best to choose a simple ring made of dark or gray material. If you are going to purchase jewelry with a stone, then do not let the stone protrude far from the ring. This rule applies to all men's rings, but especially those worn on the middle finger.

Index finger ring

Men's ring on the middle finger

Культура&история

It is customary to wear rings with a signet or family crest on the index finger, and over time this tradition has been adopted by various clubs, communities and fraternities; for most of Europe and America.

Style

Since we use this finger most of all, the ring on it attracts a lot of looks and attention to ourselves. Also, do not wear very bulky rings, as they can scratch the car door when you open it, and indeed much of what will fall into your hands.

Thumb ring

Men's thumb ring

Культура&история

Thumb rings are very rare in our culture. If you are one of those people who want to do everything differently, not like others, then this choice is for you. In other parts of the world, thumb rings are very common and symbolize wealth (which is not surprising given their cost).

Style

While men's rings tend to be simple, the thumb ring is an exception. It is customary to make it bulky and sometimes with large gems. In addition, if you are already wearing other rings, then putting another one on your thumb will not create the effect of congestion and clutter.

How to wear rings, 5 rules

Rule # 1: every ring sends a signal

Served in the Naval Academy, Airborne Troops or Flight School? A ring with the symbols of these institutions will show your connection with some of history's greatest soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

Remember this when you put on the ring.

Want to show your greatness? In some parts of the world, large gold rings with precious stones indicate a person of considerable wealth.

Looking for a life partner or just want to have fun? Wedding rings play an important role in telling how far things can go with this lovable stranger you just met.

And don't doubt that people are paying attention to rings. They may remain silent, but they have already scanned your hands within a few seconds after the meeting and formed an opinion of you. Therefore, be careful about what messages you send to others.

Rule # 2: Be confident

How confident are you about the extra rings on your hands? Don't wear the ring in public until you are confident and used to it. It's best to wear your new ring at home first until you get used to its weight and feel. Then start wearing it in front of people you trust and see how they react. Get used to their comments before you start wearing jewelry in public.

In addition, find out the history of the ring, if any, then be ready to answer questions about it. Is it a family heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation? Is this ring that you bought during your summer vacation in Europe and does it remind you of this trip? Regardless of the story, your ring has the potential to be a great conversation starter.

Rule # 3: Maintain Proportional Rings with Your Hands

Rings should be in proportion to your hands

If you have large hands, you can wear large rings. Men with smaller hands should balance the proportions by wearing smaller rings.

Likewise, if you have thin fingers, stick to compact and thin rings, and wider rings are preferred for men with full fingers.

Rule # 4: Balance the Ring (s) with Other Jewelry

Keep your rings balanced with other accessories on your hand

Do not put rings together on one hand and always combine them with other jewelry on your hands. If you wear your ring and watch on your left wrist, create balance with a bracelet on your right wrist.

Rule No. 5: Unity of metals

There are no hard and fast rules for combining metals, however, to make life easier, it is better to pay attention to the choice of one material.

It is best that the metal of your jewelry is the same or at least combined

Most men prefer silver or gold. If you don't have such preferences, then make your choice based on your skin tone. Wear silver if you have a cool tone. For reference, your skin is cool if blue veins are visible on your arm. Wear gold if you have a warmer skin tone. In this case, your veins will not be very visible.

I personally really like it when the rings match the accessories: the metal on the belt buckle, on the watchband, and the metal on the ring is the same tone.

How many rings can you wear at a time?

Typically, one, two, or three rings are the safe maximum. By exceeding this amount, you risk attracting undue attention. It is best to wear only one or two rings. Here quality is more important than quantity.

Finally

For millennia, the rings symbolized power, wealth, belonging to a noble family or an elite club. Rings were worn by kings, emperors, kings, dictators, as well as ordinary commoners. The ring is an accessory with a long history and individual symbols.

This guide covers the basics of ring culture, but today we learned the main thing. A man's ring should reflect your style, your social status and your sense of taste. If you think that wearing 2-3 rings your individual style will be at its best – go for it!