Men’s Jewelry Isn’t Just Watches Anymore

Written by Saulė Petreikytė

The idea of jewelry for men, specifically rings for men, has undergone tremendous changes in the last couple of years. I grew up with male figures who would only wear their weddings bands (even though my dad claims he used to have his ears pierced, yet I can’t find a single picture of it), whilst all the women around me were decorated with timeless rings (and when I say timeless, I mean that those pieces have stayed intact through decades, and I will pass them on to my children), incredibly detailed earrings, various necklaces and ever so often bracelets. Those women around me were loud and joyful, and I would watch them as they move, and the jewelry moves with them. Unlike earrings and necklaces, which are mostly enjoyed by others, your rings are always visible to you. They catch light with every gesture and remind you of a special moment. Seeing that made me fall in love with the idea that I could carry a piece of jewelry with me on my fingers and it would make a sound whenever I put my hand on the table. Sometimes I find myself tapping things with my hands just to hear my rings make sound; I find it quite calming.

Years later I kept on asking my mother and my grandmas to have their gold rings, since any other option I could have bought were cheap metal rings from fast-fashion stores that would, you guessed it, turn my fingers green. At one point I found myself wearing nine solid gold and gold-plated rings and only now, when I do max three rings, I understand how uncomfortable that was (although that satisfying, weighty clink of metal on metal—so indulgent, yet so restricting).

When I look back on my journey with rings, I can see how much I’ve grown in terms of colors I wish to see on the gems, metals that compliment my skin tone, designs that fit specific occasions and everyday wear. My style changed a lot, and now I find myself wearing minimalist design rings with a pop of maximalism. When I look back on the relationship my male friends have with jewelry, it is a completely different standpoint. A male friend of my interest in rings piqued when we met and he saw my rings (yes, all nine of them). However, our styles completely clashed, and he invested in big, loud silver signet rings with engravings of lions (you do you, boo). He was tuning into his hyper-masculine side, copying his edgy older brother, and went for big chains (probably to assert dominance). Years later our styles crossed paths. He is still a silver lover, but now the pieces are classic, minimalistic, representing the calmer period of his life. He also picks pieces that align more with his newly found style (and newly found girlfriend). A change like this took time and now we can finally talk about our jewelry in unison.

However, other male friends of mine put off the idea of jewelry for years and only now are slowly coming into this world., but still are being cautious, probably as to not be perceived in any other way than a manly man. The usual influence I see comes from their female friends and partners, since traditionally men’s jewelry was associated with expensive watches and only a wedding band, which is exactly what their fathers and grandfathers would wear. Nonetheless, recent changes in the fashion industry indicate a broader encouragement for men to decorate their fingers with rings. Popular male figures such as Timothée Chalamet, Bruno Mars, Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles, and more showcase their style on social media and events and are starting to set the trends since they always incorporate rings that complement the look they are going for. When it comes to us, the mortal ones, those rings don’t have to be vastly high-priced to resemble something Timothée Chalamet or Harry Styles would wear, nor do they have to be cheap, plastic, fleeting trends. One can find the golden middle with sustainable and ethically made rings for men from BOUND.

Let’s take a quick look at our most loved rings for men:

THE SPENCER RING – a classic signet ring that could shine as a small accessory on your pinky finger or be a staple on your index. It carries a blend of being feminine and masculine, and if you opt for a solid gold variant, we can make a custom engraving – the day you were born or your mom’s name, whatever you desire.

THE IMANI RING – a timeless smooth basic ring with engraved lines. Commonly, our male customers aim for this ring to be their wedding band, since it is simple and elegant, and far from being run-of-the-mill or an uncomfortable piece that you must stay with for the rest of your life (or at least your marriage).

THE BOBBIE RING – a double banded ring which will compliment any outfit – whether you are going on a first date and you wish to leave with a second date in plan, or you are having a cozy night in with your most loved ones. Because of its design, it seems as if it’s two rings - but without the hassle of having to constantly readjust them.

THE HARLOW RING – a bold double signet design ring. This one flies off the website as soon as we restock it, since it has an enjoyable weight to it. It is a blend of THE BOBBIE RING and THE SPENCER RING, so exactly what Hannah Montana meant by “the best of both worlds”.

I believe that rings for men should become a proper and usual practice. It is a form of self-love; it can elevate any outfit and sometimes even regulate your mood. I, for one, feel naked without my rings. I know how much happiness my rings bring me, especially when I know that they came from an ethical production background, and so I wish to spread that joy with my loved ones. Despite a huge progress, some men remain hesitant to explore jewelry beyond the basics, often fearing that rings may be too flashy or not "masculine" enough. However, as more brands and designers introduce versatile and subtle designs, these concerns are fading. Wearing rings isn’t just about fashion; it’s about confidence, personal identity, and storytelling. A well-chosen ring can signify important life events, reflect cultural heritage, or simply be a form of self-adornment that enhances one’s unique style.

Interested in exploring more of our selection of rings for men? Take a look at out collection or come by our physical store, we are happy to help you choose the one, if it is the start of your journey, or complement a new ring with the existing ones.