The best rings for men to live your Liberace fantasy
Whether you’re into silver or gold, slick or chunky, here are GQ’s pick of the best rings to dress your fingers up
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There are plenty of people we could assign blame (or give thanks depending on your stance) for the resurgence of wearing too many rings: Harry Styles for one, Liberace for another, or the recently trending ‘Mob Wife aesthetic’ for a third. Men’s rings were once a category from which you had to choose one or two things: a simple gold ring to go alongside your wedding ring, or a signet ring, too, if you were feeling particularly daring. Now, wearing all of these and more is de rigeur.
Traditionally a symbol (in the way that engagement rings still are) rather than a fashion accessory, men’s rings have come to share a lot in common with tattoos. While you could have them permanently welded on like so many inky roses, we’re referring more to how they can be a signifier of status, class or religion, like military tattoos. Rings are now less of an identifier of social position or status, but much more of a representation of personal style and just something that pretty much everyone has — and has a lot of.
While the trend towards wearing as much adornment on your fingers as humanly possible may be a fleeting thing, the practice of owning and wearing at least one piece beyond your wedding band is likely to stick around. And while many guys don’t tend to stray into other areas of men’s jewellery such as necklaces or bracelets, we can bet that most of them want to be wearing two things: a watch and something on their knuckles.
Want a fistful of bling to rival Snoop Dogg’s collection? Or just fancy a simple metal ring with onyx or black titanium? We got you: here is our pick of everything from the minimalist to the mind-bending.
What is the best material for rings?
When it comes to selecting your first piece of finger bling, it’s worth facing a timeless and daunting piece of introspection… are you a silver guy, or a gold guy? For those drawn to decadent yellow-gold tones, life is simple. In sticking to gold and gold-plated rings, your jewellery box will forever be imbued with a subtle '80s-inspired verve that enhances the warm colour palette of your seasonal ensembles.
The silver-inclined, however, have altogether a more challenging decision to face. Whilst sterling silver and silver-plated constructions benefit from the shining, iridescent appearance we all know and love, opting for a silver-hued alternative can offer different qualities, be it platinum's hypoallergenic properties or palladium's added durability. Before shopping, it's important to assess what exactly is important to you in a ring… besides no longer turning your fingers green, which, by the way, comes from less precious metals like copper or nickel oxidising when they come in contact with your skins chemical cocktail.
What different types of rings are there?
As mentioned above, rings can be differentiated by their material, and sometimes what they’re made of is an identifier of purpose: diamond rings, for example, are usually reserved for celebratory styles like engagement or achievements (looking at you, huge Superbowl Rings). Beyond the world of gemstones and carats, though, there’s a plethora of ring types to choose between.
A band ring is a subtle affair, and synonymous with men’s wedding rings. Signet rings, often conflated with the pinky ring, are a smaller piece, usually forged with more precious metals, and have that signature flat surface that can feature design details like engraving or inlays. From thousands of years ago until the present day, the style has signified great wealth, often bearing a family crest or seal. Today, men’s signet rings can belong to anyone, trust fund or not.
MORE MEN'S JEWELLERY: Men’s Jewellery Brands | Bracelets | Earrings | Watches | Necklaces
Shop GQ's pick of the best rings for men…
Miansai
1/28Miansai
- Material: 14kt gold
- Gemstones: None
Craftsmanship at its very finest, this thin 14kt band from Miansai is an understated piece embodying the accessorising mantra, “less is more”. Suitable for everyday wear, the polished, rounded ring isn't here to dominate your looks, but to complement them in all its minimalistic glory.
Bleue Burnham
2/28Bleue Burnham
Bleue Burnham 'The Mini Rose' signet ring
- Material: 9kt gold
- Gemstones: Sapphires
Bleue Burnham’s sustainability-focused, eye-catching rings have been seen gracing the digits of Sampha, Michael B Jordan and Snoop Dogg, and it’s easy to see why. Tastefully statement design with a combination of tightly placed facets and gemstones means that this ring and others from Bleue Burnham’s extensive offering catch the light in a way that is hard to resist.
Missoma
3/28Missoma
- Material: 14kt gold-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Known for creating fashion-forward jewellery with a minimalistic verve, Missoma specialises in bringing a touch of luxury into your everyday. More than just a pretty band, this golden stacking ring from Missoma is defined by its single wave, imbuing the whole piece with a molten sense of movement that's rarely found in a solid 18ct recycled gold plated vermeil and sterling silver construction.
The Ouze
4/28The Ouze
The Ouze
- Material: 925 Sterling silver
- Gemstones: Uncut pink sapphires
Another ring-maker with sustainability at the core is London-based The Ouze. Designs all feature 100 per cent recycled materials and gemstones sourced ethically or from lab-grown batches, which guarantee a more environmentally friendly outcome than you’d get with traditionally mined stones. Playful and wholly unique in their rugged and rough aesthetic, The Ouze is a newer brand to definitely pay attention to.
Vivienne Westwood
5/28Vivienne Westwood
- Material: Platinum
- Gemstones: None
Designed to mimic the look of a tightly-buckled leather belt, this ring from Vivienne Westwood has been crafted from recycled silver and engraved with an undulating logo, as though manipulated by its imitation buckle fastening. Clearly, Ms Westwood doesn't do anything by halves.
Tom Wood
6/28Tom Wood
Tom Wood
- Material: 925 sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Tom Wood is renowned for simple, tasteful signet ‘cushion’ rings that feature inlays of tiger eye or other semi-precious stones, this design takes their classic and gives it an unexpected spin, removing the gemstone and creating a minimal piece of jewellery that is at once classic and wholly modern.
The Great Frog
7/28The Great Frog
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Since its inception on Carnaby Street in 1972, plenty of rock stars have come to be fans of the chunky skull and animal rings at The Great Frog. One of the most famous, Lemmy, was particularly fond of the jeweller's signature eye rings. Beautiful and uncanny in equal measure, they’re available in a number of shades, including this tribute to the Motorhead frontman himself.
Peyote Bird
8/28Peyote Bird
Peyote Bird
- Material: 925 Sterling Silver
- Gemstones: Turquoise
It’s hard to undersell the impact that a bright flash of turquoise can have, even in a hand that is full of jewellery, the striking and shifting green-blue hues cut through and catch attention. New Mexico’s Peyote Bird understand this, and let the semi-precious stone be the focus of this high-shine, pared-back take on a signet ring.
Mejuri
9/28Mejuri
- Material: 14kt solid gold
- Gemstones: None
There’ll be no mistaking this Mejuri talisman for a ring traded from father to son: a positive thing for those who prefer to appear as the coolest guy in the pub as opposed to the richest. Instead, the deep ridges on this solid gold piece smack of modernity.
Simuero
Alighieri
11/28Alighieri
- Material: 24kt gold-plated silver
- Gemstones: None
Alighieri founder Rosh Mahtani went to Oxford University and, upon graduating, named his jewellery brand after the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. That’s all to say that this isn’t any old snake ring, but a coiled serpent ring representing the Medusa themes present in Dante’s poems. Alighieri call its wares ‘modern heirlooms’. We’d have to agree.
Thomas Sabo
12/28Thomas Sabo
- Material: 18kt gold-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Thomas Sabo is famous for his skull designs, pendants and leather bracelets but this handcrafted signet ring is a personal favourite of ours. The gold disc in the middle shows an anchor among other symbols that signify faith, love and hope.
Serge Denimes
13/28Sege Denimes
- Material: Sterling silver/metal
- Gemstones: None
An heirloom piece needn’t cost the earth. As demonstrated by Serge Denimes and its collections of heritage-heavy pieces, some rings worth keeping come on a budget. This compass-stamped signet ring in sterling silver is etched with intricate lines that point due north. Diminutive and two-toned in shades of silver and gold, it’s an accessory exhibiting classic hallmarks of a much more expensive piece.
Gucci
14/28Gucci
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: Turquoise
Not everything Gucci makes need cost you a month’s rent: some pieces are relatively more affordable (for a heritage Italian atelier, anyway). Just look at as this turquoise enamel band ring with interlocking G’s: a piece of iconography that recalls both the spirituality of native turquoise and the opulence of European aristocracy.
Missoma
15/28Missoma
Signet Ring
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: Black spinel
Missoma is the home of understated but artful jewellery, and this signet ring is no exception. Detailed with a black spinel gemstone in a circular setting, this stone is known for protecting its wearer… and it also looks pretty good.
Jacquie Aiche
16/28Jacquie Aiche
- Material: Gold
- Gemstones: Lapis, malachite, turquoise, opal, tiger's eye, red jasper, picture jasper
Having both Native American and Egyptian heritage has suitably prepared jeweller Jacquie Aiche to create talismans out of her necklaces, bracelets and rings. In the latter category is this shining example of a desert scene, crafted on the bezel using such materials as lapis, malachite, turquoise, and opal. With unique touches that catch the light just so, it’s a spectacular example of jewellery as art.
Tiffany&Co.
17/28Tiffany&Co
- Material: 18kt white gold
- Gemstones: None
If you’re looking for a luxury ring to last for the long run, few brands promise style and quality more than Tiffany. Created from 18-karat white gold, this ‘T1’ design represents individual strength and power, measuring at 4.5mm wide and delivering a discreetly bold silhouette upon wear. Keep the surrounding shades neutral to let its craftsmanship shine.
All Blues
18/28All Blues
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Add a contemporary, metallic twist to your look with this Rauk sterling-silver ring from All Blues. In a structured cut with its hand-hammered effect and thick band, this ring is a true all-rounder. Worn with dark-wash denim, this piece is sure to pop.
Maria Black
19/28Maria Black
- Material: Gold-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
They say you can't choose your family, but you can choose to add this Family band ring from Maria Black to your jewellery box. In a gold-plated sterling-silver construction, this ring brings you closer to those you love whilst simultaneously bringing your outfit together seamlessly – and that’s quite the combination.
Rat Betty
20/28Rat Betty
- Material: Recycled sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Working out of a former perfume factory, grunge jeweller Rat Betty creates off-kilter designs rooted in subculture and the uncanny. While the brand’s calling card — its block letter ‘Rat’ ring — is a no-brainer cop, we also dig this quick-to-sell-out cowboy design complete with silhouetted wrangler in the moonlight, cacti flanking him on his right and left.
Saint Laurent
21/28Saint Laurent
- Material: Silver/gold-tone brass
- Gemstones: None
Built on a stunning two-tone bar combination – textured silver and gold-tone brass – Saint Laurent’s latest ring design sets the jewellery bar high. Featuring a striped texture across its bars and engraved with the brand’s logo across its inner, it’s a perfect choice for the fashion-conscious.
Bottega Veneta
22/28Bottega Veneta
- Material: 18kt gold-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
You can’t go wrong with a gold-plated, sterling silver ring – especially when it’s sourced from Bottega Veneta. Sculpted in a sophisticated keychain shape and polished for a luxury finish, this piece will work with pretty much any dress code. With the warm weather of summer in mind, we suggest this be a staple white vest top, loose trousers and leather sandals.
Le Gramme
23/28Le Gramme
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Le Gramme's 5g ring is, unsurprisingly, named after its weight in grams, but what might surprise you is that that weight comes from nothing but pure, polished sterling silver. Divided into three segments for flexibility and comfort, this ring is then finished with the brand's signature lower-case moniker. This is a subtle luxury that makes an impact.
H. Samuel
25/28H. Samuel
- Material: Tungsten and black ceramic
- Gemstones: None
With design roots dating back to the 19th Century, it’s safe to say that H. Samuel knows how to craft good jewellery. Case in point: this current signet style – framed by black ceramic, finished with bezel edges and featuring a sleek tungsten centre. In short, it’s the perfect ingredient to complete your everyday attire.
Fred Perry
26/28Fred Perry
- Material: 22kt gold-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Few logos can compete with the cultural significance of Fred Perry’s, therefore making its latest signet ring an essential addition to your jewellery collection. Available in two plate shades – gold and metallic silver – this 22-carat design is beautifully embossed with the brand’s famous Laurel Wreath, ensuring a simple but undeniably effective impression upon wear.
Miansai
27/28Miansai
- Material: Rhodium-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
“Pineapples are in my head.” So sang Glass Animals in “Pork Soda”, a song from their Mercury award-nominated 2016 album How To Be A Human Being. While it may have been intended as an absurdist, off-hand lyric, it’s seeming more like a prophecy since we saw this Miansai fruit engraved ring. Simple, sleek and detailed in its etching, this particular pineapple will be in our head until we’ve taken the plunge and bought it.
Tilly Sveaas
28/28Tilly Sveaas
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
This chunky ring is simple in design, making it easy to stack and complement your other jewellery. It also comes in five sizes so you can buy it to fit on any finger of your desire. Simple, shiny and sophisticated.
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