Men's Ring Alternatives

Written by Darin McCann, Executive Editor 

An eternal loop.

For years, the gold wedding band has served as a symbol of the endless and continuous bond of love between two people who have openly pledged their commitment to one another for perpetuity. It is both a declarative statement to the outside world that the individual is “taken” by another, and a pledge of loyalty, love, and devotion between individuals. It is easily identifiable, often elegant in its simplicity, and one of the few iconic elements of tradition that has stood the test of time.

And it can be a giant pain in the butt.

It catches on things. It gets imbedded in the flesh when the ravages of summer hit due to water retention. It is jewelry — and, quite frankly, a lot of people just aren’t wild about wearing jewelry.

But fear not. There is relief out there, men. Or, whoever. If a gold wedding band is not something that grabs your interest, but you still crave that symbolism of the endless path of love between two married people, there are options. Let’s get to them.

Tattoos

No, we’re not suggesting you and your intended get “Taken” tattooed on your foreheads. But, if that’s your thing… hey, you do you. This is a judgement-free zone.

But if you’re looking for a permanent symbol of your love, there is very little we can offer you today that will outlive a tattoo. They aren’t going to fall off in the surf. They aren’t going to be stolen. You won’t have to get them re-fitted or take them in for cleaning and maintenance every year. They’re often cheaper than bands featuring rare or precious metals. Plus, if you’re looking for the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind symbol of your love, what better opportunity is there than the clear slate that is your own flesh?

Are there some negatives? Well, you can’t just rip it off and fling it into the ocean if you get divorced, at least without making a bit of a mess of your hand. Finger tattoos do hurt, and they tend to fade a little faster on our hands, thanks to washing, sun exposure and thinner skin. In addition, there’s still some of the societal stigma thingy with tattoos in some corners of the world in 2025, meaning job opportunities could be limited by visible tattoos.

Signature bracelets, necklaces

Hey, some people just don’t want to wear a ring—be it because their profession makes it difficult or they simply don’t like the feeling of wearing them. Or, just maybe, they like the idea of a wedding bracelet or necklace instead. Free country and all, right?

And there are some distinct advantages to alternative accoutrements over the traditional ring. There is more space for engraving, simply because there’s more real estate available than on a ring. And, in that vein, there is more of an opportunity to personalize it and make it stand out in a way you and your partner would desire. Or, maybe, you just want to do something that’s not necessarily the same traditional thing people have been doing for generations.

There are a million different reasons you might prefer a bracelet or necklace to a ring, including sensitive skin, an active lifestyle that makes it dangerous to wear a ring or simply a desire to stand out with your own look. It’s your wedding. It’s your marriage. It’s your life. Make the decision that is best for you.

Bespoke Watches

Take all of those reasons we just gave for bracelets and necklaces in lieu of a traditional wedding band, and add the additional benefit of being able to tell time with it—and there you have the argument for bespoke watches.

Obviously, there are more, starting with the preferences of the individual who will be wearing the jewelry. In addition, there is a monetary value here, as the watch doubles as a timepiece and a fashion accessory, providing some bang for the buck.

On the flip side, batteries die, and mechanical workings sometimes stop, well, working. So there’s probably a little more maintenance involved than you get with a ring.

Silicone rings

So, maybe you do love the tradition of the wedding band, but you want something that is less likely to get damaged than the gold or other traditional metal options. Think silicone.

According to The Gentleman’s Smith, there are a ton of advantages to going with silicone, including comfort and flexibility, affordability and durability, and they’re hypoallergenic, which can come in handy if you get reactions to metals.

On the flip side, they list negatives as a difficulty in re-sizing if that comes up, and limited design options, and they don’t get viewed as being as formal as traditional wedding bands.

Again, your choice. You do you.