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By Nina Callaway, About.com Guide to Weddings since 2003

Do Men Really Want Engagement Rings Too?

Wednesday April 26, 2006
I got a press release today from a jewelry company claiming that the number of women proposing marriage is on the rise, and thus the demand for "male" engagement rings was rising as well. I tend to be a bit skeptical - for example, I see the jewelry industry's "right hand ring" campaign as having nothing to do with independent women and everything to do with getting women to spend more money on jewelry. So I meet this latest news with skepticism as well. Oh sure, I do believe that there are more women than ever proposing marriage - take singer Pink's proposal to Motocross racer Corey Hart. But do men really want an engagement ring? What do you think? Leave a comment, or sound-off in our forums!

Comments

April 26, 2006 at 2:43 pm
(1) Joan says:

I proposed to my husband and gave him a nice watch, which he still wears, and then we went together and bought me an engagement ring. I thought this was a good solution. He wouldn’t have worn an engagement ring.

April 27, 2006 at 12:42 pm
(2) Wedding Chicago Blog says:

Honestly, I think my husband would have loved to get an engagement ring. He loves his wedding band – it has more diamonds than mine.

I agree with you that this is just a ploy from the jewelry industry to encourage women to buy more jewelry. Pretty ingenius, I must say. Anything to make more money, I guess.

Alison

May 4, 2006 at 2:39 pm
(3) Jennifer says:

When we got engaged, Lord of the RIngs has just come out, so i bought my fiance a really nice replica of The Ring. He still wears it every day on his right hand. (His wedding ring is on his left.)

May 5, 2006 at 6:34 am
(4) Jesseca says:

Yes! My Boyfriend and i are both planning on having engagement rings, i think it is a wonderful idea, because it shows not only when they are married but it also can show when they are engaged also! I think it is exciting and we are having alot of fun going from store to store together looking for a ring, for eachother!

May 8, 2006 at 8:30 am
(5) Carla says:

I actually bought my husband an engagement ring. He had no idea that I had a ring for him, but when he proposed to me i just took out his ring and reversed the question on him and it was really cute on how it worked out, but I do not see a problem with a man wearing an engagement ring. Why should women be the only ones that have to wear a ring stating that they are taken?

July 21, 2006 at 8:56 am
(6) Emyr says:

Im a man and having been talking with my partner recently about an marriage. We have been talking about engagement rings for a few weeks when it suddenly occured to me that I would like one to. I don’t want my girlfriend to have to ’show’ that she is loved and taken, when I don’t. I would feel such pride at wearing an engagement ring for her, and with her, to show the world we are equals.

July 26, 2006 at 10:25 pm
(7) Ashley says:

My fiance is in the military and the stigma that goes with those uniforms is the women hitting on him. For this among other reasons we chose to get him an engagement ring which he wears proudly. Even a few of his coworkers have followed our lead. I think it was a great idea because he get’s used to wearing a ring before the wedding.

December 16, 2006 at 1:20 pm
(8) Bekah says:

My honey is definitely getting a ring… I plan on giving it to him when he proposes! I’ve decided on a titanium one with celtic knotwork on it (I figure it fits his style and represents the “knot” we will eventually be tying between the two of us). I brought it up with him in passing, just to see his reaction and he seemed very receptive. I didn’t even realize when I thought of the idea that there was a trend int he jewelry industry of making these. I just figured that he should have some tangible symbol of our committment, just as I will.

January 5, 2007 at 8:11 pm
(9) Jamie says:

I must say, I love the idea of wearing an engagement ring. In fact, my girlfriend and I have been talking alot about marriage, and she asked me if I would wear an engagement ring instead of her…I was taken aback a bit, however, I adored the thought of her wanting me as much as I wanted her, and to show the world would be an honor….kudos to the men out there that do that! And, I am a former vetern and college football player, so, its not limited to feminine men….

May 3, 2007 at 12:29 pm
(10) Pat says:

OF COURSE! If this union is equal (as they all should be) then why not start with an equal engagement.

June 25, 2008 at 10:22 pm
(11) Lauren says:

i’d just like to say that i always thought it was a given thing for men to also where engagemnt rings until recently, i’s reassuring to know that other people think its as good idea as i do.

August 9, 2008 at 4:44 pm
(12) Her Fiance says:

No, no, no, no, no.

August 16, 2008 at 8:28 am
(13) Dee says:

My guy and I have been recently discussing this idea. I can tell he really wants an engagement ring and YES, I intend on placing one on his finger as soon as he proposes the question. I think its rather cute he wants to show the world he is spoken for.

I have searching for rings.

August 17, 2008 at 4:55 pm
(14) Thom W says:

My girlfriend just proposed to me and she didn’t give me a ring and I was very happy. I definitely don’t care about rings. What a waste of money that could be better spent on an awesome honeymoon!

August 20, 2008 at 6:31 pm
(15) Lindsey says:

My fiance is in the military and while he’s away from me it’s nice to know that there’s a ring on his finger saying he’s not available if I can’t be on his arm to say the same thing. (I got a tugnston ring that will NEVER scratch for only $50 on overstock.com, I highlly recommend it!)

August 21, 2008 at 1:23 pm
(16) L says:

I think it’s a great idea, especially for a long engagement. We wear a ring on our finger showing we’re “spoken for”, why shouldn’t men?

October 21, 2008 at 4:09 pm
(17) chelsea says:

can someone give me good deal of engagement ring n wedding ring for him ? so is it meant that he will 2 ring as well like us ? many thanks

November 17, 2008 at 7:59 pm
(18) Miss says:

Actually, I’m in the process of shopping for an engagement ring for my boyfriend right now! At first, I was going to buy him his future wedding band, but then I changed my mind. As many of the other commenters said, it’s a tangible symbol of our committment to one and other. I plan on buying him an 18k white gold engagement ring and eventually a similar platinum wedding band to replace it.

February 16, 2009 at 9:41 pm
(19) JB says:

My father had an engagement ring. Not only that, but it is yellow gold with a giant diamond pavee front. I didn’t even know it was a question: why should men not have a ring? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…

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