I was packing an order today, a titanium ring with this incredible matte black finish. It felt surprisingly light in my palm, cool and smooth. As I placed it in the box, the soft click of the lid closing made me think of my uncle’s wedding band—a heavy, classic gold ring he’s worn for thirty years. They’re both symbols of love, right? But they feel worlds apart. It made me stop and wonder: are there actually any “rules” for men's engagement rings?

During lunch, I found myself digging a little deeper. I always thought men’s rings had to be simple, maybe gold or platinum, and that was it. But flipping through a design magazine, I saw so many other options. Stainless steel that had this reassuring, solid feel, almost like a well-loved watch. And titanium—I almost forgot to mention titanium! It’s ridiculously strong but weighs next to nothing. Its hypoallergenic quality is kind of like the special equipment surgeons use; your body just doesn't argue with it. Limiting things to just one or two choices now feels really outdated.

This morning, I read a customer note that just clicked everything into place. He chose a brushed black titanium ring because, he wrote, “it’s tough, it won’t scratch when I’m working on my motorcycle, and honestly, it just looks cool.” He wasn’t trying to follow a tradition. He was choosing something that told his story. Maybe that’s the only thing that really counts. It’s not about the material or the style, but about finding a piece that feels like a missing part of your own narrative. So, what kind of story would your ring share?

About the Author

Rosa Chow is a member of the FKS Jewelry team. When she’s not helping clients or photographing new pieces, you can find her getting lost in a good book. Our team is passionate about crafting stories with modern metals, specializing in durable and expressive brass,stainless steel and titanium jewelry. Got a question or story of your own? Contact us! it could inspire my next post.