Finding the perfect, killer, handmade gold man's ring may be easier than you think. Great jewelry designers, craftsmen and vendors offer a variety of one-of-a-kind and custom gold men's rings online. All you have to do is know where to look.
Nature-inspired, Recycled Gold Mens Rings
Beth Cyr, of Athens, GA, features organic-themed metal jewelry and nature-inspired rings in recycled gold and sterling. With two websites offered through Etsy, her BethCyrWeddings site features one-of-a-kind, hand-tooled, custom-order rings and wedding bands for men and women.
Some of her most distinctive designs are her 14K yellow gold 'Tree Bark' rings. Each unique piece features an outer surface textured and grooved like the bark of a tree. The 6mm man's ring may be ordered with or without a patina finish. For something truly exceptional, heavier and wider, the 'Redwoods' style ring is cast in 14K red gold and varies in width from 6-8mm. This substantial, hefty man ring is 2mm thick and features a craggy and rough surface.
Looking for a little sparkle? The 'Tree Bark Love Knot' ring has the look of natural tree bark and features a diamond inset into a "wood knot" in the bark-like finish. Truly an exceptional, organic design. The ring may be ordered in one of several metal choices in a variety of finishes.
Simple and Understated Organic Rings for Men
For something elegantly simple and understated, Cyr's silky smooth 'Subtlety' ring, featuring what Cyr describes as a "hint of organic softness" is available in 14K and 18K gold, sterling, and palladium white gold. The hammered version of the 'Subtlety' ring, called 'Love Rocks,' is hammered from ring blanks cast by Cyr herself, producing thicker rings, with softer edges and no solder seams, according to the website. 'Love Rocks' features mixed-up marks that look like granite and Cyr claims the ring will look great even after heavy wear.
The 'Tooled with Love' ring which features a "handmade" look from hammering, filing, sanding and chasing for a "lovely mix of random tool marks." This substantial, masculine looking ring is available with or without a patina finish. Also, Cyr offers a 'Vine and Leaf' ring, 'Midnight Vine' ring, and 'Wish Upon a Star' ring. For $5 plus shipping, Cyr will send you a ring sizer kit to ensure you get it right the first time.
Historically Inspired Men's Rings
Highly respected Pennsylvania jewelry artist Jim Meyer takes inspiration from ancient history and his travels and time spent in Greece, Italy, India and Japan. "I attempt to convey a sense of history and architecture in my pieces," reads the testimonial on his website, James Meyer Jewelry.
To that end, Meyer uses the ancient lost-wax method of making jewelery. After the design process, Meyer hand-fashions a true-size wax model for his piece, then, makes a plaster mold around the wax model. The plaster mold and wax model are heated until the wax burns away. Then, melted metal is poured into the mold to create the final piece. When the molten metal is cooled and hardened, the plaster cast is destroyed and the metal piece must be scrupulously cleaned, abraded and polished. This is an extremely time consuming process. Because both model and mold are destroyed during the process, each heirloom-quality jewelry piece is one-of-a-kind.
Also, Meyer uses the direct metal method to hammer and hand-shape his work. Other metals, wrapped and bezeled, as well as beautiful gemstones may be added to the final piece. Many featured gemstones are cut and polished old-style as cabochons, as well as flat faceted. Meyer secures gemstones using labor-intensive, time-honored, bezel and gypsy settings – where the the entire circumference of each stone is surrounded by metal – as opposed to the modern, less-skill-required prong-set method.
Timeless Ring Design Good Enough for Smithsonian Collection
Meyer's beautiful hand-worked pieces are divinely simple, classically elegant, and absolutely timeless in design. His skill and design are so highly regarded that some of Meyer's pieces have earned their place in The Smithsonian Institute's permanent collection.
Although Meyer shows many rings on his site, he writes under the Wedding Bands section, "I have no "made up" stock to sell. As with many of my one-of-a-kind pieces, I consult with the customer about the style, metals and stones to be used..." His gorgeous finished-ring photos feature plenty to inspire your very own James Meyer ring.
James Meyer Protegés Offer Meyer-style Fine Jewelry
Unfortunately, as this article was being published, Jim Meyer emailed and explained that he was going to be "making a limited amount of jewelry" for the foreseeable future in order to pursue other endeavors, such as printmaking and furniture making. So for now, consumers looking for an iconic Meyer piece may not be able to find one.
However, the good news is that Jim's son, Caleb Meyer, follows in the style of his father and fashions a full-line of one-of-a-kind fine jewelry pieces, including handcrafted wedding rings and wedding-ring sets, gemstone rings, and 18K gold men's signet rings – ready for personal engravings.
Also, jewelry artist Ann McKay, who used to work with Meyer, offers fine jewelry in the Meyer-style. For men, McKay offers a line of wedding bands and bridal sets. Both Anne McKay and Caleb Meyer accept custom orders.
Diamond Rings, Gold Rings for Men
If it is a man ring with diamonds that you desire, then, look no further than to David Friedlander, owner of Diamonds by Lauren. Specializing in colored and unusual diamonds and diamond jewelry, Friedlander's office is smack in the middle of New York City's diamonds district – just an elevator ride away from the world's most prolific source for diamonds of every conceivable shape, color and size.
Purple diamond, you say? No problem. It may cost you, but Friedlander can get the stone for you. Diamond shaped like a horse's head? Sure. Sometimes, he's got it in his own safe. Sometimes, he can get his hands on your custom request within hours. Sometimes, it may take awhile before a cutter comes to him with the "perfect" stone. Regardless, if it is a diamond, and you want it, chances are Friedlander can make it yours.
Friedlander works directly with some of the world's most gifted diamond cutters and jewelry artisans. A few of these artists collaborate with the world's top jewelry houses. So, if you want to build a custom gold or platinum man ring, chances are Friedlander knows the right man or woman for the job. To start the process, all you have to do is contact Diamonds by Lauren and ask for David, says Friedlander.
Friedlander's shop has produced men's rings with high-color and fancy colored diamonds in bezels, semi-bezels, prong-set, gypsy-set, even tension-set pieces. Rings many be made in classic yellow gold, modern white gold, rich and beautiful rose gold, as well as platinum and other materials. The sky is the limit as far as design and materials choices.
Although Diamonds by Lauren has extensive in-stock, custom- and semi-custom-made jewelry for women, the in-stock selection for mens rings is more conservative in number. However, available options for men are limited only by your imagination, says Friedlander. A few notable man rings, featuring drop-dead, killer-colored, fancy diamonds, are featured on the website. And, of course, if you just want a "plain" gold ring, sans diamonds, Friedlander is happy to produce the ring.
For cool and unusual mens rings that aren't necessarily made from gold, you may prefer mens jewelry that features stunning inlay materials.
Claire Eddins - Writer/editor, award-winning photographer Claire Eddins collects gems, horses, and obsesses over home, art, and design.
