Man Wedding Ring Band?

Q: We just took a gander at wedding bands the other day and I saw a nice plain one that I expected would be perfect for the future husband. He balked and said no, he wanted a band that had diamonds. This was completely unexpected. Maybe he's just jerking my chain, but he may have actually seen a men's ring like that which he liked, or he just came up with the idea out of the blue. Anyway, I wanna know if anyone else is getting or has gotten a men's wedding band with diamonds?

A:My fiance didn't like my idea of matching plain gold wedding bands. He liked the matching part, but he wanted some sort of design. Fine. I found a design I really liked (sans diamonds) and showed it to him. He thought it was great -- but do you think we could put a diamond *here*? (ack!) Since we're a little short on cash, I suggested we skip the diamonds for now and go for something *really* nice on our 10th anniversary. I have yet to hear back on that count, but I'm hopin'. I figure if I have to wear diamonds they might as well be nice ones. My only suggestion to you is try to negotiate the matter. Your bands don't have to match (I'm still trying to convince my fiance of this) and he is the one who'll be wearing it. Ask him what he has in mind, and go with him to look at it, if possible. If you don't like it, come up with alternatives that you do like that are of a similar style or "feel". I've seen lots of men's wedding bands with diamonds (and other stones) and only a few have been really tacky. The bulk of the ones I've seen have the diamonds inset(or recessed) into the band itself or into a decorative pattern. One central inset stone, three small ones set diagonally with black etching, one square cut central stone etc. If he wants a band with diamonds, don't worry, I'll bet you can find one that is very tasteful that you both like. My fiancee's band is 18k gold, has a square sapphire inset with white gold "channels" (or lines, or edge) on the sides but not the top or bottom. Looks great and nothing to snag or catch on anything (important since he is an Electrician). It kind of matches my ring which also has a center sapphire with accenting diamonds. Here goes someone who actually likes the diamond band for a man. Joe and I picked out a great engagement ring for me that is a large center stone with inset diamonds in the band on either side they are small but look great. I am also getting the matching wedding band and he really likes the idea of having the band like mine and since we tried it on I almost want him to wear it now, it looks great! He likes the idea a lot exspecially since we went to a friend of his wedding last weekend and he also had a diamond band. Both of them are suit and tie kind of guys and the rings just seem to go but I think it really is an individual decision if he wants diamonds and likes the look let him get what he wants if you can afford it HE is the one wearing it remember. My stepfather has diamonds in his wedding band, and I think Dave wants them in his also. The diamonds aren't really "attached" like on the outside, but rather set into the ring itself. The band just looks like a normal wedding band, but with a few diamonds in the middle (maybe 3-5) Usually they are very small, and they really do look nice. Since you are in Ann Arbor too, (I spoke to you before and you gave me a cake recommendation), I'd look in Service Merchandise in Arborland or Sears at Briarwood. They both have rings like that there. My husband was the same way about his ring. He had never owned a ring before in his life, but he was _sure_ he didn't want a plain band. He wanted diamonds. We looked everywhere for something that wasn't completely tacky or exceptionally expensive and finally ended up designing a

ring for him. He liked the look of rings with a "pave" setting, but they cost more than we wanted to pay (like $1000 - 2000 more than we wanted). We talked to a jeweler about it, and he suggested a setting that was similar to the pave, but with fewer diamonds. He has 9 diamonds set in a pattern that he chose, and the gold ring has been kind of "scored" so it looks all bumpy. Since it's only in a small area on the ring, it isn't overwhelming but it still adds interest to the band. Try asking about the "pave" settings when you go to look at rings. If you go to a decent jeweler who does a lot of design work, I'm sure you can find something you both like.