What makes a piece worthy of being called a unique men's ring? This is hard to objectively answer, so I'm consulting the dictionary. The definition of unique is: unlike any other, original.

If this is the case, then a whole lot of jewelry out there is immediately knocked out of the running. Go on amazon and take a look at the host of dropshippers importing jewelry from overseas.

But, hold on. My aim here isn't to put down any piece of jewelry, but to help you decide on a piece that you're satisfied with.

So I propose a different take on the word unique. One that's more open. One that factors in you. Let's expand our minds and set aside our preconceived notions for a few minutes as we explore the unique elements behind rings.

The Ring Material

• Gold - Gold is the classic, worn by married and single men of affluence alike. Will bend, not shatter when crushed
• Silver - Is a more affordable alternative. Will bend, not shatter when crushed.
• Stainless - Most budget friendly; highly durable. Will bend, not shatter when crushed.
• Stone - Less common and prone to shattering when dropped/ crushed.
• Tungsten - Scratch resistant and stronger than gold. Will shatter in crushing situation.
• Titanium - Scratch resistant and stronger than gold. Will bend in a crushing situation.
• Rubber - The most durable and flexible option. Best choice when working with your hands.

There's no best material. What's best depends on your budget, when you will be wearing it, and what/ why you want that material.

Types of Men's Rings

• The Signet Ring. This style is the king of making a statement. Some records hint that this type of ring was unique to people in positions of power. Where the wearer of the ring may have used the engraving on the face to seal official documents in wax. The current fashion trend has the wider facing signet rings being labeled as masculine.
• The Band. This style is the timeless ring of choice, and has both masculine and feminine elements depending on the width of the ring. The wider the band, the stronger the look. The narrower the band, the more dainty. This is the classic engagement ring style.

• Unique Gemstone Rings. These pieces have an incredible amount of flare and just as much dimensionality to them. The combination of metal and gemstone allows for many different looks. Historically the mining of natural gems has invovled slavery, so do your research if that bothers you. Natural gems aren't without their drawbacks either.

• Moon Rings (the variable category). I use this example to illustrate a point. Think about a crescent moon ring or maybe a ring shaped as a wave. These rings can create a really cool statement. And while they haven't historically blended with the masculine, they have begun to do so in recent years.

These 4 types are not the only styles of men's rings, but more often than not you will encounter rings marketed toward men that fit into one of these categories—and sometimes you get a case where a signet ring can have gems in it.

Styling your Rings.

Here are some guidelines that are designed to make it easier to get the look you're going for.

• Keep similar metals together. Black looks good with silver or gold. Generally a lot of people agree that silver and gold don't look as good together. Also, brass and gold can be worn together if their finish is close enough.
• Limit Gem pieces. I prefer the subtler look with only one gem piece per hand. Too many creates a look I'm not fond of.
• Use framing to your advantage. I make some pieces that use a black base ring with a a raised and polished stainless steel accent (it looks like silver on black). After some experimenting, I found I could pair that piece with two polished stainless steel rings, one on each finger adjacent to it. The framing creates a much more unique look for my rings, one that brings out something deeper than just the original ring by itself.
• Use other accessories. Gold rings (and brass) go well with gold bracelets and watches. The same holds true for silver and stainless jewelry. Don't forget to match your necklace and piercings, too.

There's no ironclad rule to this. And honestly, feel free to throw away everything I just said in this section. Your style is your alone, and only you know what you're going for.

How it's made.

• Mass produced rings. Generally these rings will be cheaper as the company is relying on small margins to make a profit. Therefore they need to sell a lot of product, and it's easier to do so if the product is at a more affordable price point. Don't write off all mass-produced jewelry as poor quality. There are companies out there that make quality goods. They might not treat their workers that great, however. These rings tend to be almost identical from piece to piece, with little to no variation.
• Handmade rings (my work falls into this category). These artists make their living on larger margins and sell far less product. We tend to spend much more time on each piece than what might go into the mast produced equivalents. These pieces also tend to have little differences that make no two pieces alike.

So what Makes a Ring Unique?

My opinion? That unilke no other definition. I'm always invested in how it's made. I love the pieces where I can connect with the artist. I don't buy much jewelry anymore (I usually make it for myself), but on the rare occaisons I do, it's because of the artist and the emotions that the piece strikes in me.

My advice? Pick something that speaks to you and that fits your lifestyle and values. There's no need to break the bank if you can't afford it. And there's certainly no need to listen to anyone outside of you when it comes to your self-expression. I'm a firm believer that deep down you know what you want. And if you get a piece that one day no longer fits you. To me, that's awesome. Keep growing and discovering yourself. Who knows where that will take you...