Men's Wedding Bands: Cheap Or Affordable?

There are several reasons why men's wedding bands are so cheap. Firstly, men's wedding bands are often made from cheaper materials such as tungsten, titanium, or silicone. These materials are more affordable than traditional precious metals like gold, platinum, or palladium. Additionally, men's wedding bands tend to be simpler in design, with fewer intricate details or precious stones, which keeps costs down. Online retailers also offer significant savings compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, as they have lower overhead costs. Furthermore, men's wedding bands are often an afterthought in wedding planning, with less emphasis placed on their cost or design compared to the bride's ring. Finally, men's rings are usually narrower than women's, requiring less material and resulting in a lower price.

Online retailers offer cheaper prices than brick-and-mortar stores

For example, a custom-made meteorite and Damascus steel ring from a local jeweller could cost $2300, whereas an independent artisan on Etsy may offer a similar product for $200-250. This is because the Etsy seller is likely to be using cheaper materials, such as tungsten carbide, which is much more affordable than precious metals like gold or silver. Tungsten carbide can also be machine-poured, whereas Damascus steel requires a lot of skill to hand-forge.

Additionally, Etsy sellers are often based overseas, where materials, labour, and business costs are lower. This further reduces the price of the ring.

However, it is important to be cautious when purchasing jewellery online, as some sellers may use faux or plated materials without being transparent about it. It is always a good idea to research the seller and read reviews before making a purchase.

Overall, shopping online for a men's wedding band can be a great way to find a high-quality, affordable ring. By taking advantage of the lower overheads of online retailers, customers can access a wider range of styles and designs that fit within their budget.

Tungsten carbide is a cheap base metal

The popularity of tungsten rings has also increased competition in the market, driving prices down. Online retailers and jewellery shops offer a wide range of tungsten ring designs to meet the high demand. However, it is important to purchase tungsten rings from reputable sellers to ensure quality and durability.

In addition to the cost of the metal, the ease of manufacturing tungsten carbide rings contributes to their affordability. They can be machine-poured, unlike some other metals that require hand-forging, which reduces the labour and time intensity of the production process.

While tungsten carbide rings are priced lower than precious metal rings, it is important to be cautious when purchasing. Some cheap tungsten rings may contain fillers like cobalt, which can irritate the skin and cause discolouration. Reputable companies typically use nickel in their tungsten wedding bands, which is generally safe for most individuals.

Etsy sellers often use cheaper materials

Etsy sellers are also more likely to be based overseas, where materials, labour, and business costs are lower. They are typically independent artisans who do not have the same overheads as traditional jewellers, such as showroom costs or sales staff.

Men's wedding bands are smaller and use fewer stones

One of the reasons men's wedding bands are cheaper than women's is that they are smaller and use fewer stones. The size of a ring can impact its price, with wider bands requiring more material and being more expensive. Men's wedding bands are often narrower, which keeps costs down.

Men's wedding bands also tend to feature fewer precious stones, which reduces their price. The more stones a ring has, the more expensive it will be, especially if it is inlaid with diamonds or other precious stones. Many men's rings feature cheaper materials, such as tungsten carbide, or small, low-quality stones like opal and meteorite dust.

The average cost of a woman's engagement ring and wedding band is between $5,968 and $6,258, while the average cost of a man's wedding band is between $389 and $547. Men's rings can be made from more affordable materials, such as tungsten, titanium, and silicone, which also keeps costs down.

Online sellers have lower overheads

For example, Etsy sellers are more likely to be independent artisans who work from home and don't have the same overheads as a high-street store. They may also be based overseas, where materials, labour, and business costs are cheaper.

Online sellers can offer a wider range of styles and designs, which can also help to keep costs down. For instance, Etsy sellers may offer rings made from cheaper materials such as tungsten carbide, which is far cheaper than precious metals like gold or silver. Tungsten carbide can be machine-poured, whereas precious metals like Damascus steel require a lot of skill to work with and should be hand-forged.

Online sellers may also offer rings made from alternative materials such as meteorite dust, opals, or other semi-precious stones, which are generally cheaper than gemstones. These stones are often small, less sparkly, and lower quality than those used in women's rings.

Overall, shopping online for a wedding band can be a great way to find a modern men's wedding ring for a fraction of the cost of a traditional jewellery store.

Frequently asked questions