Men’s Wedding Rings Made in Ireland

Perhaps you’re planning a wedding and looking for a “forever” ring. It might interest you to know that while men did not always wear wedding rings it is standard practice these days. With 50 years experience in the jewelry industry, we celebrate the role our pieces have played in the love stories of couples around the world.

History of the Men’s Wedding Rings

The practice of exchanging rings during a wedding dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The earliest men’s wedding rings were called “Gimmel Rings” or Fede rings, where two "twin" rings joined through hands symbolizing unity. The Irish Claddagh design has similar features and symbolism, but with the lovely addition of a crown.

However, until the mid 1940s it was more often than not only the women who wore the rings in a couple and not their husbands. Why you might ask? The answer has several parts, spanning nearly a century of history from the World Wars through to the 1970s and present day.

The World Wars

During the first World War, many men on the front began wearing wedding rings as a remembrance of their wives and families at home. It was in the 1950s, after that same custom carried through to World War Two, that wedding rings for men really started to gain prominence.

The Glitzy 70s

Some believe that it was the gold laden Disco scene of the 1970s which also influenced the popularity of men’s wedding rings. With the popularisation of gold medallions and men’s rings generally, it’s natural to assume that wedding rings which had just become popular twenty years earlier became more socially familiar.

There are also scholars who believe that the Women’s Movement, which advocated for Equal Rights, also affected the staying power of the men’s wedding ring. Historically rings had been worn by women alone. It is entirely possible that the Women’s Movement affected the custom.

Today and Tomorrow

We welcome couples for consultations and fittings for both men’s and women’s wedding rings through our appointments service. While engagement rings have not yet gained popularity with men on a par with women, we see many couples in our Dublin workshop to choose their custom ring. Often times a man’s wedding ring could be the first piece of jewelry he’s ever worn so we’ve compiled some helpful facts and suggestions here so have no fear if you’re in the market for your wedding band.

Choosing Your Wedding Ring

Ring Size

There are stories aplenty for why anything but using a ring sizer to get your correct ring size, don’t work! We offer a Free Ring Sizer which we’ll send out to you if you’re not able to visit a jeweler. We cannot say it often enough that fit is first in ring selection! In our research we’ve been able to find that the average size for a man’s ring is 10, however, this can change because of method of measurement and even time of day for measurement! Read more about how to get the perfect fit or get in touch.

Metal Type

Ultimately the choice of metal in a wedding ring comes down to personal preference. We use multiple precious metals in our designs, including: gold, rose gold, white gold, sterling silver, platinum and palladium. All of our rings are hallmarked in Ireland at the Irish Assay Office in Dublin City’s historic Dublin Castle.

Style

It all comes down to preference when style is up for grabs. All of our pieces are inspired by Celtic knot work and the craftsmanship is extraordinary. Handmade in Ireland, our rings are rings you’ll have for a lifetime.

We’re confident that any man would like our Mo Anam Cara range. Oxidized for a dark, antique feel the ring is decorated all the way around with the Irish for “My Soulmate”. Customize it further with an engraving inside -- we generally recommend initials or a date, but the choice is yours depending on space.

Intricately detailed our Trinity Knot range is a beautiful modern interpretation of a centuries old inspiration. The Trinity Knot, otherwise known as the “Lovers Knot”, is a favorite among those taking vows. Representing infinity and the strength of unity, a Trinity Knot ring can be designed very simply or ornately depending on the wearers preference. Again, customizable engraving is available to the customer.

While your choice of ring is of course unique to your special day, one way to specialize it even more so would be to inscribe the ring with a coded message. Known only to the wearer and the gifter, Ogham is the linear ancient language of the Celts. Known as the “tree alphabet”, our Ogham range allows for customization in addition to engraving. Perfect for the gentlemen who appreciate Irish history and excellent craftsmanship.

The Ardagh Chalice ring, a bestseller for men’s wedding rings, is inspired by a centuries old relic. Proudly displayed now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, the 5th Century Ardagh Chalice was rediscovered in 1868 by two potato farmers in County Limerick. And how lucky we are for their find! The Chalice features almost 50 unique designs and is pride of place for one of the earliest examples of Celtic art. What’s lovely about this ring particularly is that if the wearer finds themselves in Dublin, they can visit the piece which inspired it