Engagement rings have been around for a long time; in fact, the tradition can be traced as far back as 1500 B.C., when the ancient Egyptians viewed rings as symbols of eternity. Their rings were worn on the ring finger of the left hand, which they believed to contain a vein that ran directly to the heart. The Romans adopted the tradition about a thousand years later. For them, however, the gesture was decidedly less romantic; rather than a symbol of eternal love, it signified ownership. A man would give his bride-to-be an iron ring, often attached to keys, to show that she was his property.

While today, engagement rings are (fortunately) no longer a sign of ownership, they are still generally given only to women. That’s changing, though. The management ring, or men’s engagement rings, is rapidly gaining in popularity. While women have long had a way to show that they were in love and engaged, men haven’t had the same honor. Today, many couples are adopting this new tradition in the name of solidarity and equality.

How Men are Wearing Engagement Rings

While men are still generally the ones to pop the question, more and more women are taking matters into their own hands and proposing, oftentimes with a ring. Other times, a woman will buy an engagement ring for her fiance after he’s proposed and given her a ring. As with women’s engagement rings, men’s engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. However, rather than stacking the engagement and wedding ring after the wedding ceremony, most men switch their engagement ring to their right hand and wear their wedding band on their left.

Choosing Your Engagement Ring

While some couples choose to have matching engagement rings, this certainly isn’t necessary if both people have different preferences. When it comes to choosing the right engagement ring for your husband-to-be, consider his lifestyle and preferences. For example, if he prefers classic styles, gold bands are a great choice. However, gold isn’t very durable, making it a risky choice for men who have jobs that are physically active. Titanium or zirconium are stronger metals that are better suited for physical jobs.

As with most women’s engagement rings, many men’s engagement rings feature one or more diamonds. However, they’re usually inset, giving the ring a smooth, streamlined appearance. A single diamond is a popular choice, but rings with more than one diamond are also favorites.

Making It a One-of-a-Kind Ring

You can customize your husband-to-be’s ring in many ways. One of our favorites is to record a special message and have your voice pattern engraved on the ring. You’ll be able to give your fiancé a beautiful ring that has an even more beautiful message of love and commitment.