

Are you considering a proposal for your male partner this year? Are you looking for men’s ethical engagement rings?
Well it’s a leap year and so the tradition goes this is the year that women can propose. My opinion is that it doesn’t need to be a leap year to propose to your partner, whether male or female. What has been interesting though is seeing options for men’s ethical engagement rings popping up on my Instagram feed.
I thought I’d invite the ethical wedding jewellers that I work with to share what they have in the way of men’s ethical engagement rings. Some of them have also shared their thoughts and tips if you are selecting an engagement ring for a man, or are perhaps looking for a more neutral and less ‘feminine’ engagement ring design.
My top tips for men’s ethical engagement rings
Firstly, I don’t think you should be restricted by a leap year for women to propose to men. It should be something women feel free to do at any time.
Secondly, for some people engagement rings may have negative connotations of a woman being passed from ownership of one man (her father) to another (her husband). So take a moment – do you even want engagement rings? What ways are there to get ‘engaged’ without exchanging or gifting a ring if that doesn’t feel right for you?
But if you do…
- Don’t be restricted by what you think an engagement ring should be!
- If your partner prefers a plain band or a real statement piece, why not just have the one ring, you don’t need to have an “engagement ring” and a wedding ring. (I only had one ring – the one my husband Nick proposed with – for our wedding exchange of rings. I do now have a wedding band, but this was gifted at a later stage in our relationship, and a number of years after being married.)
- That said, let’s remember the environmental impact of yet more “things”. Just because you are buying ethical rings it doesn’t need to be an excuse to buy more. If one ring suits you, great choice.
- But if it is something you feel called to, then there are all kinds of ways to do this using ethically sourced precious metals and gems. So get inspired by some of our ethical wedding jewellers…
This blog feature was inspired by an Instagram post by TNWC Recommended Supplier Jacqueline & Edward.



Jacqueline & Edward
Jacqueline & Edward’s advice for choosing a men’s engagement ring:
- Think about their lifestyle, are they active? Do they work outdoors using their hands? If they do, this will help you choose the right metal. Platinum is incredibly strong and durable compared to gold so this might help you narrow down your choices.
- This will also help you decide whether you choose an engagement ring with diamonds or other gemstones – if your guy works a lot with his hands then including precious stones probably isn’t the best way to go as dirt can get into the setting, and you might lose the stone.
- Inlay rings are great if you’d like to add some special meaning to a engagement ring as we can use almost any material in an inlay ring e.g. if your guy is really into climbing you can include some granite or limestone in the inlay, or maybe they’re a Lego fanatic, you can use a piece of Lego in the inlay. Or, you might have a sentimental piece of clothing from your first date – we can even include this too.
- With Inlay rings it’s worth noting that you really need to get the right ring size for this type of ring as they can be tricky to resize.
- Lastly, think about his style and finger shape. Big hands suit a chunkier, wider ring, whereas slim fingers can take a narrower style.
- If you have no idea what to get and don’t mind not having the element of surprise, why not think about choosing a ring together.
Check out their full selection of Men’s Engagement Rings.





Lebrusan Studio
Lebrusan Studio says:
Unlike women’s engagement rings, engagement rings for men are a relatively novel concept, liberated by the invitation to interpret subjectively. Though fulfilling the same fundamental role – holding space on the finger in the run-up to a wedding – a quintessential style has not yet become entrenched, leaving shoppers to choose freely.
An engagement ring we recently created for a male client was as simple as a plain court-shaped band, its recycled platinum polished to a gleam – not dissimilar to a traditional men’s wedding band. With the client’s wedding approaching, he has now chosen to pair his engagement ring with an unusually slender wedding band, bordered by delicate milgrain beading. We love that the presence of his existing engagement ring encouraged him to consider more stylised details this time round; a journey he might never have found himself on were his wedding band the first ring he’d ever worn.

The above ring was a bespoke design including a ‘fissure’ in the ring symbolic of a rock opening revealing a mineral deposit. It reminded me of a lake!
On the other hand, wedding bands decorated with intricate hand-engraving like Art Nouveau scrolls, florid vines or symbolic messages are also a popular choice for men’s engagement rings. For some men, this additional band is an opportunity to enjoy a piece of attention-commanding statement jewellery that they’d have otherwise missed out on in bypassing the engagement ring entirely. The more rings a person wears, the more opportunities there are to have fun with design.
As for any ring worn every day for years on end, we strongly encourage choosing only from a pool of resilient metal and gemstone options – think platinum, 18ct gold, diamond or sapphire. For those with bigger hands, we also recommend considering chunkier styles, since incredibly slender bands can be compromised by large internal diameters.


The above left image is Lebrusan Studio’s Freedom Collection which are gender neutral commitment rings designed with LGBTQ+ couples in mind. The above right image is a bespoke design featuring treasured co-ordinates.
Svendsen Jewellery
Svendsen Jewellery says:
The thing about engagement rings for men is that people think they should be bold and chunky – but I think actually it’s just an opportunity for men to get something a little bit more creative than a simple band. And for heterosexual couples its nice to switch the roles and give women the opportunity to propose.
Some of the designs below can be found on their Bespoke Wedding Band and Engagement Ring page.







Lisa Rothwell-Young Ethical Fine Jewellery
Lisa Rothwell-Young says:
I think the whole idea of mens engagement rings is a conundrum. I can appreciate that the wedding industry will think it’s brilliant (doubling up on sales to men) and if couples do want to both have engagement rings then by all means (and it’s a nice thing for you to do for your man). However from a sustainability point of view, it’s the whole buy more, more, more of capitalist society.
From a feminist perspective, engagement rings have some pretty dodgy connotations around ownership, the whole being given away from one man to another. I have couples who simply buy each other non traditional rings (or pendants etc) and wear those in lieu of both wedding and engagement rings.
To me marriage is a state of mind, not something that requires you to “put a ring on it” , however if you want to buy your partner a lovely piece of jewellery as part of a proposal and as a symbol of your commitment to each other, then go for it, but do it your own way because their are no rules.
Lisa Rothwell-Young shares her Men’s Lichen Wedding Ring design.

Eco Wood Rings
Eco Wood Rings say:
Let’s talk about alternative rings for men. The search for something more personal and less traditional is on the up and the increase in the demand for unique wedding rings for men, eco-friendly engagement rings for men, and special occasion gifts for men since Eco Wood Rings first began over 12 years ago, is exciting. In the last decade the struggle to find something that ticked all the boxes was real but with an increase in awareness of the world around us and the changes we can make as consumers the demand and now supply of alternative rings for men is increasing.
At Eco Wood Rings, we believe there’s something for everyone and being able to help our customers design the perfect piece for the one they love is truly the best feeling! The unique thought and attention to detail that goes into each and every design is incredible – anything goes! One thing they do all have in common though is LOVE!
Check out their blog post on Exploring Unique Rings for Men.





Shakti Ellenwood Precious Jewellery
Shakti Ellenwood says:
In the world of engagement rings, traditions are evolving, and couples are embracing more diverse expressions of love. Over the past three years, I have witnessed a remarkable surge in the demand for men’s engagement rings. This trend is especially pronounced this year, as 2024 is a leap year, traditionally considered a time when women take the lead in proposing marriage.
In my experience as an ethical goldsmith, one particular trend stands out: the preference for CanadaMark diamonds and blue sapphires in men’s engagement rings. CanadaMark diamonds are not only known for their exceptional quality but also their ethical sourcing, ensuring that the journey of love begins on a responsible note. Blue sapphires, on the other hand, are a timeless choice, symbolizing loyalty and sincerity.
Men’s engagement rings have evolved beyond traditional bands into unique and personalized pieces of jewellery. Whether it’s a sleek design with a single diamond or a bold statement ring with vibrant blue sapphires, men are expressing their love and commitment in ways that resonate with their individual styles and personalities.
Shakti Ellenwood shares her men’s Eros Ethical Engagement / Wedding Ring and her men’s Aurelius Ethical Engagement Ring.


Lucy Jade Sylvester Jewellery
Lucy Jaey Sylvester creates beautiful natural inspired ethical wedding and engagement rings. Ones that she feels would work well as men’s engagement rings are Wide Bark with Black Diamonds Ring, her Slim Oak Leaf Ring, or her Cow Parsley Stem Ring.



Elizabeth Anne Norris Jewellery
Elizabeth Anne Norris says:
My top tip for men’s engagement rings is go with what you feel comfortable with. I say to hell with traditions and I’ve worked with enough wedding couples to know that tradition is not necessarily the most important theme running through their wedding. If you want to wear a silver wedding ring the go for it! You will be wearing it for life so make sure it’s something that really appeals to you.
Also comfort is key, again you’re going to be wearing your wedding ring day in/day out so really think about how that ring feels on your finger. Lastly, ask for guidance from your expert jeweller, they are a wealth of knowledge and can help you pick your ideal wedding ring.
You can find all her designs on her website under Wedding Rings.





Lilia Nash Jewellery
Lilia Nash Jewellery says:
I have received several commissions for men’s engagement rings over the years. Anything goes really, but in general they have been based on a wedding band style of ring, rather than a solitaire with a big sparkly diamond!
Textured finishes are popular, especially the hammered or tree-bark effect bands. If the customer has requested gemstones it’s usually for a subtle diamond accent to be set into the band, with black diamonds being a very popular option.
One of the more usual commissions was a band with a twist in the metal and two diamonds set either side of the twist. I’d say that was the most ‘engagement ring like’ band I have ever made for a man. Text engraving has also been a regular request on men’s engagement rings, with a personal message engraved on the inside of the band.
Most of the ring designs shared below can be found on Lilia Nash’s Bespoke Wedding Ring page.





Daniel Darby Jewellery
Daniel Darby Jewellery says:
My tips for guys looking for an engagement ring, would be to consider how it will work with a wedding band? What will the total width of both rings be? It’s also a great opportunity to be creative, how will the two bands compliment each other? And will there be a visual link with your partners engagement ring. Using the same gemstones or matching engraved patterns can be really good way to link the ring sets together, even if the rings are made from different metals or are different widths.


Slade Fine Jewellery
Slade Fine Jewellery says:
In my experience men are definitely becoming more adventurous with their wedding band choices. More men are opting for bespoke bands with the inclusion of gemstones, engraving and bold textures.
Check out Slade Fine Jewellery’s Bespoke Engagement Rings page or her Wedding Ring page for more ideas.





Hopefully this guide to men’s ethical engagement rings has provided inspiration and confidence when it comes to choosing and sourcing. If nothing more, it is a great reminder to choose what feels right for you as a couple when it comes to engagement rings or wedding rings.
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Tags: Arabel Lebrusan > Daniel Darby Jewellery > Eco Wood Rings > Elizabeth Anne Norris Jewellery > ethical engagement ring > ethical wedding > featuring our businesses > Jacqueline & Edward > Lilia Nash Jewellery > Lisa Rothwell-Young Ethical Fine Jewellery > Lucy Jade Sylvester Jewellery > Shakti Ellenwood > Slade Fine Jewellery > Svendsen Jewellery