Wearing a black wedding ring is a relatively new and growing trend, particularly among men. But, what does a black wedding ring mean? Is there any significance to wearing a black wedding band?
Some say a black wedding ring symbolizes the strength of one’s love and dedication to their spouse while others say it’s a symbol of mourning worn by a widower to show their love for their late spouse.
In truth, however, a man who chooses to wear a black wedding ring probably just likes the color black or is trying to buck tradition. The slightly edgier appearance of a black ring is especially appealing to men who have more eclectic tastes or who like being trendy.
Not only is a black band unique and fashionable, compared to the more traditional silver or gold-colored rings, they can be less costly. If you’re interested in knowing more about the cost of men’s black wedding rings and where to buy them, read on.
In This Article
What Does a Black Wedding Ring Mean (for Your Wedding Budget)?
Typically made of tungsten, titanium, zirconium or even ceramic, men’s black wedding rings are usually more affordable than traditional metals like gold or platinum. That doesn’t mean they are your cheapest option, however. Stainless steel or sterling silver bands are often cheaper than a black band.
While prices will vary depending upon what they’re made from, black wedding bands can range anywhere from $50 to more than $500. When mixed with a high quality metal like platinum or 18 karat gold, a black wedding band will likely top $1,000.
One key drawback that can ultimately impact how much you spend is that black wedding bands cannot be re-sized. If you should ever need your ring size adjusted, you’ll be out of luck. That means either buying a new ring or going without.
The Pros and Cons of Black Wedding Rings
While there are definitely a few reasons to consider a black wedding band once you start ring shopping, there are also a few drawbacks to keep in mind.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying a black wedding ring.
The Pros:
1. Affordability
Most black wedding bands will cost less than the more traditional platinum or yellow or white gold wedding bands.
2. Durability
Black rings made from ceramic or tungsten are extremely durable and scratch resistant. In fact, tungsten carbide is the most scratch resistant of all the metals, making it a good choice for men who work with their hands. Black rings made from ceramic or tungsten also won’t corrode or tarnish and will hold their shape well.
3. Hypoallergenic
Some black wedding bands, such as those made out of ceramic, zirconium or pure tungsten are hypoallergenic, which is great for anyone with metal allergies.
4. Trendy
Black wedding bands were pretty much unheard of until 2016 when they first began making an appearance in jewelry stores. Now, in 2023, this unique colored-band is completely on-trend and there are a ton of options available to you.
The Cons:
1. Most black bands can’t be resized
Unlike platinum or gold, less traditional tungsten, zirconium and ceramic rings cannot be resized. Titanium rings can be adjusted, but not by much. Titanium is extremely hard to melt down and that makes it very difficult to resize. In most cases a titanium ring cannot be adjusted by more than half a size.
2. They can’t be repaired
While black wedding bands are exceedingly durable and difficult to damage, cracks or chips can occur and, when they do, you have to either replace the ring or wear it as is.
3. They can’t be cut off in emergency
If an emergency occurred that caused your hand or fingers to swell, medical professionals would not be able to cut your ring. Instead, you’d literally have to have the ring smashed off of your finger.
Where to Shop Online for Men’s Black Wedding Rings
While not as prevalent as the more traditional gold, silver or platinum metal rings, there are still a lot of jewelers stocking black rings. Even if you can’t find what you’re looking for at a bricks and mortar store, you can always hop online and peruse the selection of rings at online retailers like Amazon and Etsy.
Keep in mind, if you do opt to shop online you MUST know your ring size because most black rings can’t be sized up or down. We suggest going to a jewelry store and looking over rings in person first. Even if you can’t find anything you like, you can at least have your finger measured by a professional, so you’ll know your ring size.
If you’ve had no luck in-store, here are some of the best places online for men to find black wedding bands:
1. Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace that gives smaller businesses a way to bring their wares to the masses. With a focus on handmade and vintage items, Etsy is a good place to shop if you are looking for something truly unique. While there are numerous merchants selling black wedding bands on Etsy, here are three bestsellers you won’t want to miss.
2. Amazon
This eCommerce giant sells virtually everything, including men’s wedding rings. When searching for a black wedding band, be sure to read reviews carefully and stick to rings that have at least a four-star rating. It’s also wise to double check the return policy — if there is a problem with the ring, being able to return it is key.
Here are three rings with good ratings for less than $300.
3. Modern Gents
If you’re on a really tight budget, Modern Gents is a good place to shop. This online store has a wide variety of black wedding bands for $100 or less as well as a number of more costly rings offered at a major discount. Here are three great deals.
4. James Allen
Starting at $160, James Allen offers some beautiful black titanium, tantalum and ceramic rings as well as black plated gold rings. Here are three rings at varying price points.
5. Macy’s
With rings ranging from less than $100 to more than $1,000, there are black bands to suit every budget. If you happen to live near a Macy’s, you can order your ring online and pick it up in store but you can also have it shipped to you directly.
Here are three rings with positive reviews.
6. Larson Jewelers
Located in Long Beach, CA, Larson Jewelers has a healthy selection of black wedding bands for men. Made from tungsten, titanium or ceramic, prices begin as low as $40 and go as high as $1,000 and you can request engraving for an extra charge.
If you need help choosing a ring, you can contact the store here to connect with a wedding band consultant and can even order a ring sizer kit if you’re having trouble determining your size.
With such a wide selection, choosing one ring can be difficult. These three rings all have favorable reviews.
7. Blue Nile
This may not be the best store to shop at if you’re on a tight budget, but if cost is not an issue, this store is worth checking out. Blue Nile is a higher-end online jeweler, which has been in business since 1999. The store offers free returns and shipping and has round-the-clock customer service.
Here are three of our favorite black wedding bands at different price points.
