Many people’s approach to buying titanium jewelry for men usually doesn’t extend beyond looking at the picture and the price. But we recommend a little preparation before your purchase to ensure you make the right choice. Here are the basics:
1) How to Find Out His Finger Size
We can’t stress enough how important it is to start by getting the correct ring size. With titanium rings, resizing can be difficult. Enlarging a ring can only be done with the correct tools, and thus usually incurs a fee. Conversely, shrinking a titanium ring simply isn’t possible. In our experience, it’s always better to go with a snug fit rather than a loose fit.
Rings are separated by quarter sizes, so be sure to find out his size to the nearest quarter. Your best option is to get a sizing kit from a reputable dealer, such as TiRings.com. You receive a free ring sizing kit when you place an order (TiRings.com will wait to hear what size you need before sending the ring itself), which so far has yielded a 100% success rate. With your own sizing kit, you obtain the most accurate results because the size of a finger can change depending on things like the time of day and the temperature (strange, but true). Additionally, you can make the ring a surprise gift by sizing his finger covertly - here’s a quick guide to secretly getting his ring size.
Your other option is to go to your local jeweler and have his finger size measured (it’s usually free). However, be aware that there is no standard of measurement between jewelers.
2) What Kind of Guy is He?
Usually, common sense is all that’s needed when determining which ring to buy for a man. Is he a flamboyant? Practical? An introverted enigma? There’s no such thing as a “regular guy,” so consider his true personality carefully.
If he already wears jewelry, you’re going to want to give him something unique and special. You could try to wow him with an elaborate piece, or even choose an obscure design technique, such as Mokume Gane or Sable. However, if he’s never worn jewelry before, it’s probably wise to avoid starting him off on anything flashy, bulky or heavy (side note: titanium is ultra-lightweight, thus making it an excellent first ring).
Guys who are show-offs, and like flashy accessories, might prefer shiny or sparkling finishes because they attract attention. However, even guys who don’t fit this category may still prefer a titanium ring that makes an impression. If that sounds right for your guy, opt for styles and finishes that are polished or sparkle like our Frost titanium rings. Conversely, reserved or stoic personalities may prefer the subtle tones of Satin titanium rings, Black titanium rings, and so on.
Remember, there’s a ring for everyone. Titanium rings can be adorned with religious symbols, tribal or national insignias, and more. They can also be inlayed with any other metal, like gold or platinum, as well as set with gems, such as diamonds (check out our diamond titanium rings, for example).
3) Type, Grade and Finish
Most of the time, the titanium used in rings is going to be aircraft grade (or Ti 6-4 – that’s 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 90% titanium; the added mix makes it three times stronger than pure titanium!). Some retailers sell “pure” titanium (99% titanium) and other alloy blends, however over the years it has become apparent to most dealers that aircraft grade is by far the superior choice due to its strength, scratch-resistance, and beauty. At TiRings.com, we use only aircraft grade titanium for this reason.
You should consider what kind of finish best suits the ring-wearer, based on his everyday life. For example, construction workers, carpenters, and other professionals who work extensively with their hands should opt for a Frost titanium ring. Frost’s surface is crafted in a way that easily hides the scratches that inevitably occur for those who work with their hands. Certain chemicals can also take their toll on jewelry; however titanium is very corrosion resistant, and thus makes an ideal material for this.
4) Engravings
For handmade titanium rings, engravings are free at TiRings.com. (However, this doesn’t apply to the Discount titanium rings range).
So, what to write? Like any blank canvass, the hardest part is coming up with something in the first place. Here’s our advice: don’t stress out about it.
If you’re really stuck, keep it simple – a touching expression of love or friendship in 3 or 4 words is usually fine. Alternatively, if there’s a message that only the two of you would understand, that could make the message special. Just remember that he is probably going to be wearing these words for a long, long time. Avoid silly, immature or temporary expressions (or even a recent nickname that he hasn’t fully consented to!).
Next, choose something from our selection of ring engraving fonts, which also includes examples of previous engravings.
On a technical note, you do need to consider word length. Be sure to have a shorter backup engraving in mind if we let you know that your intended one is too long. 15 characters (with spaces) is average, but more can be accommodated - it depends on the size of the ring and the font type.
Lastly, engravings cannot be changed, so choose your words carefully. They also cannot be removed without changing the shape and/or size of the ring!