Titanium has a long history of being a metal that is indispensable to industry, primarily the aerospace industry. As the aerospace technology improves, fleets are designed to use aircraft grade titanium parts, and it is this same grade of titanium that is used in some top designer jewelry. To meet FAA standards, aircraft propellers need to be made of a metal known as Ti-64, a superior grade of titanium. It is a more potent version of Ti-662, which is also very hard and strong.

Aircraft grade titanium wedding bands are more scratch resistant and much stronger than Ti-999, or commercially pure titanium. Unlike many other metals, titanium is 100 percent compatible with the human body, which means it will not cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. This is true with any grade of titanium.

The trend towards titanium wedding rings for men is relatively recent. In fact, the use of titanium in any type of jewelry is a thoroughly modern concept. Not long ago, men were limited to a few basic styles of yellow gold and white gold traditional wedding bands. Now there are several contemporary metals available in men’s rings, including titanium, tungsten, cobalt and stainless steel. But it is the unique quality of titanium that has set the standard for contemporary men’s wedding rings.

Despite the fact that men’s titanium wedding bands can be difficult to find in your local jewelry store, there are myriad choices to be found online. As the public’s comfort level with online shopping improves, more and more couples are using the internet as their preferred shopping destination, even with something as important as modern wedding rings. Not only is the selection far better online, but an ecommerce store will often sell these rings at much more affordable prices.

Many men prefer titanium wedding bands because they are so strong and durable without being heavy on the hand. For men who work with their hands or in situations where rings can become dented and scratched, titanium is far superior to gold and softer metals. Other men simply prefer the look of titanium over other metals. It can be just as shiny as platinum, or brushed for a more modern look. Men who are allergic to gold or silver choose titanium because it is hypoallergenic and doesn’t react with the skin.

For those of you who wonder about the origins of men’s titanium wedding bands, the metal was named after the ancient god Titan when it was first discovered in 1795. With an atomic number of 22, this naturally occurring element is so prevalent in our universe it has even been found in space. Because it is such a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal – and extremely strong – titanium was primarily used for making airplane propellers and other aerospace parts. Today, it is this same aircraft grade of the metal that is used to make men’s designer titanium wedding bands.

Author’s Bio

Marissa writes for Mens Wedding Rings, an online shop that offers a wide selection of unique men’s wedding bands, traditional rings and many alternative styles, like the men’s
designer titanium wedding band.

For 2012, the hottest styles include rings with halo settings, coloured stones, vintage styles, intricate settings and “green” rings that are made of recycled materials, which are more environmentally friendly than other rings.

Halo Settings

The halo style marries a vintage look with a design that makes the center diamond appear larger, which most every woman will agree is a plus. The halo is a ring of stones wrapped around the center stone, which symbolizes an unbreakable vow between a couple. To keep the halo ring classic and timeless, diamonds should be used as the halo and the center stone. However, the trendiest halo look for 2012 is created by using diamonds for the halo and a sapphire or other coloured stone in the center – think Kate Middleton’s engagement ring from Prince William.

Coloured Gemstones

The Duke of Cambridge made the coloured stone one of the biggest trends for 2012 by proposing to the Duchess with the late Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond halo engagement ring. The most expensive and elegant coloured diamonds are pink, blue, yellow and brown, but that needn’t turn anyone off the idea of a coloured stone. Wallet friendly variations are available by purchasing rings made with gemstones rather than diamonds; sapphires, rubies and emeralds are more popular than ever. Vintage Styles Everything that is fashionable and trendy goes out of style only to come back later as a better reinvention of its former self; and the same is true for today’s vintage inspired engagement rings. Halo rings provide a slight vintage feel, but the trend for 2012 is far more vintage inspired, with rings created with floral bands and Victorian decor. Small, pave diamonds are also used to create a look that increases the bling factor on rings with smaller center stones, which is a classically vintage trend.

Intricate Settings

Everyone knows that the diamond or gemstone is the center of attention on any engagement ring, but some are taking this a step further and creating personalized rings with intricate settings for beautiful stones. In 2012, expect to see an array of engagement rings with braided bands, twisted bands and bypass rings. Bypass rings, also known as tension set rings, are bands that appear to be unconnected save for the center stone which is held in place from two separate sides. These rings are becoming increasingly popular with women everywhere, and are rings that men will see more and more in jewelry stores this coming year.

Green Rings

Some women are only happy with the biggest and best diamond or gemstone engagement ring in the room; others want something a little more meaningful. Fortunately, in 2012 there is something for everyone because one of the most popular trends of the year is the “Green” ring. No, it is not a ring made of emeralds or other green gemstones; it is a ring made of recycled gold or other recycled material. For the woman concerned with the environmentally responsible aspect of her ring, men can purchase diamonds and gemstones that are certified as conflict-free stones, which means they are guaranteed not to come from stones that are not used to fund war or drug lords.

Popular and Classic

Despite what the trends are saying for 2012, the most popular type of engagement ring – also the most classic, elegant and timeless – is the diamond solitaire. The solitaire is exactly what it sounds like, a single diamond in a setting as simple or elaborate as a bride wants. This ring style is popular because of its timeless quality – diamonds never go out of style, and the solitaire engagement ring is something that will always remain sophisticated and elegant.

Another style that is currently very popular is the Pave setting. Pave diamonds are small diamonds inside the band of a ring that complement the solitaire in the center of the ring. In addition to adding a little extra bling, pave diamonds create the illusion that the center stone is larger and more sparkly than it actually is, which is something many women are happy with. Pave diamonds are small and add carat weight to a ring, but without the overwhelming look of several larger diamonds on one band. The use of pave diamonds adds a hint of elegance and a vintage feel to an otherwise plain solitaire engagement ring. Trends come and go but love lasts a lifetime. A bride will wear her engagement ring forever and potentially pass it down from generation to generation for her daughters to wear. The trends and styles of 2012 incorporate classic looks that should remain elegant and sophisticated for years to come.

Author’s Bio

Doug Neubauer blogs at “Everything Princess Cut“, specializing in Princess Cut Engagement Rings, Princess Cut Diamonds, Wedding Rings and other fine jewelry.

1. Set a realistic budget
When it comes to how much you should spend on an engagement ring, the general rule is 3 months salary. But really this is an out of date and often unrealistic rule. If you can afford to spend 3 months of your salary on an engagement ring, go for it! But if you can’t, don’t stress out about it. A better rule to follow is to have a realistic budget for the engagement ring. What can you afford? If you save up a bit of money and wait a month or two, will you be able to buy a nicer ring? Whatever you do, don’t spend more that you can and end up in debt because of the ring. The last thing your fiancée wants is for you the two of you to start off your life together paying of her engagement ring.

2. Go with her current style
If your fiancée wears a gold daughter’s pride ring and a gold graduation ring, you may not want to buy her a white gold or platinum engagement ring. On the flip side, if she prefers silver jeweler, white gold, or platinum will be the perfect thing. The point is you want to get something that fits in with her current style. Not only will it mean that the ring will fit in with her current jewelry, but you’ll also be pretty much guaranteed that she’ll love the ring.

3. Know the lingo
Before you go to buy a new computer, bed, or car, you probably do some research right? You read up on the current models and lingo so that you know what to look for when you go shopping. Well, the same rule applies when buying an engagement ring. When you go to a jeweler, he or she will want to know not only your price range but what cut of diamond, setting and band style you will want. You will also need to know a bit about carat size and clarity of the diamond. If you know all of this before you start to shop, you will be less likely to panic and just choose the first ring that you see.

4. Ask her
If you and your girlfriend have been together for a while, odds are that the topic of getting married has come up. More and more couples are discussing marriage before an engagement takes place. This usually means that the fact that you are going to propose won’t be a surprise. Most women have a vision in their head of their perfect engagement ring. If you both know that a proposal is coming, there’s nothing wrong with shopping for the ring together. In fact, this is the best way to make sure she’s getting the ring that she wants. And the when and where of the proposal can still be a surprise.

5. Trust your instincts
If you do decide to keep the fact that you are proposing a secret from your girlfriend then, when you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring, trust your instincts. After all if you are about to propose, odds are you know her pretty well and know what kind of ring she’ll love. And always keep in mind the fact that it’s coming from you and is a gesture of your love, even if it isn’t the ring she had been envisioning, she’ll love it anyway.

Author’s Bio

Diane Ferraro is the Advertising Director for Robbins Brothers. Robbins Brothers provides a huge selection of engagement rings and promise rings so you can find the ring that you are looking for. Started back in the 1920′s, the core value of the company is still “love the customer.”