What a Man Wants in His Jewelry

Boys will be boys, and these days that means accessorizing with jewels.

Although watches and cuff links will always be a man’s best friend, unique wedding bands, pendant necklaces and diamond stud earrings make it onto the top of men’s priority jewelry lists. And men wearing the bling come from all walks of life -- Jewelry can complete a bad boy look or finesse a hipster’s image.

Throughout all of these jewelry options, the common united theme for the look is tough. A plethora of materials such as leather, stingray and wood can channel a more rugged jewelry look. Often, the materials are mixed and matched together for a more interesting feel and fashion-forward take. Textured metal, like hammered metal, helps evoke this more interesting design flair, too.

Common male jewelry stylings include rocking a round cut single diamond stud or a princess cut single diamond stud and pairing it with anything from a formal suit to jeans and a sports coat. Although some gentlemen prefer just rocking a single diamond stud, others are willing to go all the way and sport a diamond stud in both ears for a more hip hopper, I’m-too-cool-for-school vibe. The larger the diamonds, the more of a power statement a man makes.

The evolution of men’s wedding bands from simple plain gold bands to more intricate designs with geometrical shapes also reflects the growing emphasis of men’s interest in jewelry and the trends he is wearing now. Diamond studded wedding bands and bands braided in gold are making their way onto many men’s fingers.

These new enhancements to men’ wedding bands are not restricted to I’m-married only either, but also make for great special occasion gifts that can be worn for any reason, including “It’s hot.”

Men’s affinity for jewelry is going nowhere but up either as designers create more specific male designs and retailers offer up these selections.

My dad surprised me months ago by wearing a turquoise ring, and now I even discovered my brother is rocking out a necklace, and I’m not talking about the shell variety kind that every guy sports. I’m talking about a gold chain that formally would have screamed I’m Mr. T’s cousin; now, it just suggests, I care about the little accents.

Styles may vary throughout the years, but men are saying yes to jewelry, especially with diamonds, and are taking their cues from athletes like David Beckham and actors like Brad Pitt. Let’s face it: It’s 2009. Boys wanna have fun, too. And what better way to do just that than by sporting jewelry that dazzles with diamonds?