Here is an example of a mangagement ring! Read more below…
We thoroughly enjoy scouring the magical interweb for the latest diamond jewellery trends, wedding news and articles about gold. Here are some of the best stories we’ve found this week, all hand-picked with you in mind to help you decide on one of the most important jewellery purchases of your life.
Men’s engagement rings – A hot new trend
Ask any self-respecting British man about male engagement rings as little as five years ago and they’d probably have laughed in your face. It just goes to show how much things can change in a relatively short time. A quick Google search reveals men’s engagement rings are no longer a no-no. In fact they’re becoming more and more popular. In fact they’re a long-held tradition in some countries, including Sweden and Brazil.
Is it because of the stunning, innovative metals being brought into creative play these days for wedding jewellery? Possibly. After all, modern jewellery made from metals like cobalt, palladium and titanium is less shiny and blingy than traditional yellow gold, white gold and platinum, and perhaps more masculine?
Michael Buble showing an audience his engagement ring in 2009.
Apparently around 5% of American men now wear an engagement ring, including same sex couples, and 17% confess to being ‘intrigued’ by the idea of a male engagement ring. If the idea inspires you, why not explore our men’s wedding rings, many of which would work perfectly as an engagement ring. Go on… we dare you to rebel a little!
Is it OK for a woman to propose to a man?
In a word, yes. And it’s getting more and more common as, in Western cultures, the sexes become more equal across the board, regarded as intellectual equals in more walks of life than ever.
The trend is affecting the state of the nation’s romance in a very positive way, with as many as 1 in 20 women gladly taking responsibility forsaking one of life’s biggest questions: will you marry me?
As Wikipedia says:
“Proposals by women have become more common in the Anglosphere in recent years, with jewellery companies manufacturing engagement rings for men. In many countries it is equally common for a woman to propose to a man, and in many western cultures, engagement rings are plain, similar bands worn by both partners, which are exchanged when the couple enters into the engagement.”
It looks like things are in a state of flux at the moment, since in 2012 research into the subject revealed a different conclusion:
“Despite loosening of gender roles at work and in society as a whole, men and women are remarkably traditional when it comes to marriage, new research finds.
In fact, the study of college students at a liberal-leaning university found that not a single man or woman wanted a proposal in which the woman asked the man to marry her.”
Then again the study was held in the US, where the culture as a whole tends to be more conservative and welded to tradition than rebellious, quirky, eccentric Britain’s. But hold your horses… a survey into US marriage proposals way back in 2003 revealed how almost a third of Americans know a woman who has proposed to her man. Which just goes to show how much use surveys are… different research often delivers very different insights.
How to propose to your boyfriend
If you’d love to pop the question to your man, how do you go about it? The She Knows website provides advice, giving readers 5 ways to propose to your man.
Hm. Having read them, they come across as pretty patronising, very like the advice Jackie magazine used to give to lovelorn teenaged girls in the 1970s (she says, showing her age!). If I was a bloke I’d be offended by the list’s sexism. I’d appreciate a straight question much more than being emotionally manipulated. But it’s horses for courses. You might find their advice useful. Let us know what you think.
One old tradition says women can only propose to their men during a Leap Year, the next one being 2016. You can stick to that if you like, but there’s no real reason why you should wait. Forget what anyone else says, thinks or does. If you feel the urge, go girl!
Go for broke – propose to your bloke with a ring
Bringing the two subjects together, what about going down on one knee and proposing to your fella with a male engagement ring ready and waiting?
You might feel fully confident he’ll love the gesture and respond positively. But if you’re not sure how he feels about females proposing marriage to men and don’t really know whether he’d love or hate to wear a man’s engagement ring, it might be a good idea to do some subtle homework before scaring the life out of him!
Have you ever proposed to someone?
The traditional ways of doing a marriage proposal, getting down on one knee and presenting a ring, are fading fast whatever sex you and your other half happen to be. It’s great news in many ways, especially since it means more or less anything goes.
We’d love to hear about your proposal, whether you were on the asking or receiving end of it, and how your partner asked the big question. Please feel free to share your experiences by leaving a comment.
Where did you find the engagement ring featured in this post?
I’ve been looking for ages and think it’s gorgeous. Any tips?
Thanks
Hello Jack, this is something that we could easily create for you! We’ll send you an email with some more details shortly.
Im also looking for this designed ring could you please let me know how I can find one and prices?
Hello Imogen! This is something that we could easily create for you! We’ll send you an email with some more details shortly.
Please can you send me details of this ring also
Thanks
Hi. I was wondering whether it would be possible to receive some information about getting the ring featured in this article, including price ect… as I cannot find one I like as much as this. Thanks. Lewis.
Hello Lewis, we have just sent you an email, sorry for the delay in responding to you! Let us know if you need any more information.
I need this ring. Please email me as well!!
Hello Blake, we have just sent you an email! We are sorry for the delay in responding to you.
I’m super interested in the ring displayed here it’s stunning! How do I go about finding one like it
Hello Miranda, we have just sent you an email, sorry for the delay in responding to you!
Hey Ive been looking everywhere for this ring , it’s perfect . And my boyfriend loves it but I can’t find it anywhere …. Can u let me know where u found this ring and other info such as the price and sizes too , thanks (:
Hello Roxanna, please check your emails as we require a few details! 🙂
I need this ring! Thanks for the quick reply!
I need this ring please reply asap, I am very short on time.
hi, could you please give me its details. thanks!
I need this ring please reply asap, I am very short on time.
I need this ring, please reply asapp
hi, can you send me details for this ring. many thanks
I love this wedding band for my soon to be husband,how much would it cost to get this ring done ?
Cheers.
This ring is beautiful please can I have some more deatils about it. Thank you
This ring is beautiful. I’d love some more info about please.
Can i have the details of this listed ring thanks
Hi, very interested in the ring featured at the top of this article. Please could you send me details including pricing etc.
Many thanks
Tyler
Would you mind sending me the info on the ring featured?
Thank you!
I also would love some information on the ring featured here. Many thanks.
Hi their, im really interested in this ring as ive been thinking about proposing to my partner, could you please send me details of price ect, thanks.
This ring is stunning and I think my boyfriend would love it! Could I get a little more info on it please?!
Hi there! I would love to know where I can find/order this ring and how much it is etc!
Thanks!
Brittany
please send more details about creating the ring in the first picture
Details on the ring and cost please. It’s an awesome ring
Hi Haldane! If you want to get in touch by email at info@orlajames.com or give us a call 01903 331707, then give us some of your specifications and we can give you details and a price!
Hi there, could you send me some details of the ring in this picture pretty please! Thank you so much in advance x