Speaking only for myself: Jewelry does not look right on men. I'm fine with a wedding band, an understated watch, cufflinks, and perhaps a signet ring (if you came into the old fashion way). Aside from that, my own personal sense of style and decorum say jewelry is the exclusive realm of women.
Okay, from my maternal heritage (Indian) men traditionally wear jewellery (and often much of it). In the culture it is both traditional and a status symbol. Till today a mans jewellery is reflective of the caste into which he belongs and serves as a social identification for such things as marriage, job prospects etc. Men often wear heirloom pieces, religious (often associated with astrology) and fashion pieces. From my paternal heritage (Portuguese) men wearing jewellery is often associated with family tradition (eg., signet rings etc). So I often wear quite a bit of jewellery.
So first I would agree with Edward that "Real men" wear whichever rings they like. I think it depends on the man and his confidence. But there are a few simple rules I like to follow:
- The size of the ring should be related to the size of the finger. [I wear a two tone (white/yellow gold) thumb ring in a millgrain setting which is quite wide]. There is nothing more ostentatious than a pinkie ring that is so large that it overshadows the other fingers of the hand. [My pinkie finger is only about 1cm wide and the smaller the ring the more classy it looks].
- There is a difference between a pinkie ring and a signet ring. The latter bearing a crest of sorts, the former not necessarily [i.e., a signet ring may be worn on the little finger].
- Except for heirloom pieces, the colour of the metal for all rings should be the same (white/yellow).
- I have both a family signet ring (with paternal crest) as well as several pinkie rings. The pinkie rings are all gemstone set and so I like to match the colour of the gem stone to the dominant colour of the clothing I wear.
- The number of jewellery pieces on a mans hand should roughly be the same (counting watch and bracelet) for each.
- Assuming one ring on each finger, there should be no more than 3 rings worn at a time. Sorry Edward five/six rings is really overkill.
- Allow space between rings so that each may be individually appreciated. So if I'm wearing my signet ring (right ring finger) I won't wear my pinkie ring (normally right hand) as well.
- It is pretentious and condescending to wear clearly cultural jewellery you don't have a link to. [So if you're not Mexican/Native American stay out of their business]. It is my maternal family's tradition that whenever a boy reaches 18 he is presented with an originally minted gold coin bearing the image of King George VI with his title "IND IMP" [King George was the last "Emperor of India" before India's independence and in my family it symbolizes the boy's independence from the family]. I would really take offense to seeing a German, for example, wear the image of the "Emperor of India".
- It is always better to wear a few pieces, that you can explain your personal link to (rather than, for example "Kieth Richards wore it").
- Diamonds may be worn, but keep the ct size small, or else it looks gaudy. Also ensure that if your wearing a solitaire set diamond that the setting is masculine (i.e., avoid prong settings).
I hope this helps.
Silver ring
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