The Complete Guide to Buying a Wooden Wedding Band For Men

Wooden rings are a unique alternative to traditional metal rings. They offer a perfect middle ground between earthy and sleek, delicate and hard, and natural and man-made. They come in a wide range of designs and styles and are the perfect wedding accessory for men.

Is a Wood Ring Right for You?

A wooden ring is a good choice for anyone seeking to incorporate organic, natural beauty into their ring. The color variations between wood species are enough to consider wearing one of your finger, but you also can’t forget about the potential drawbacks of this material.

Consider the following pros and cons for purchasing a wooden wedding ring:

Pros	Cons
Wood rings are eco-friendly if made from recycled tree branches or scraps. A lot of variety. Wood is easily dyed and comes in several patterns and colors. Requires a skilled craftsman, so you’re guaranteed to receive a quality product.	Wood is harder to take care of than metal but can last years if you’re careful. Blue-collar jobs or specific activities (weight lifting) could damage a wood ring easily. Wood is almost impossible to resize unless you’re moving up or down by 1/4 to 1/2 sizes.

If you’ve decided that a wood wedding band is right for you,

Alpine Rings has several options, including wood and metal rings, black ceramic wedding bands, and antler rings.

What Types of Wooden Rings are Available?

Most wood rings are either overlays or inlays of traditional metal rings. However, bentwood and carved wood rings are also common and are typically made without adding other materials.

Wooden Overlay Rings: Often contains a metal cylinder and a smaller, wooden overlay. The metal holds the ring’s shape, while the wood adds a bit of beauty.
Wooden Inlay Rings: Consists of a metal ring that has the wood inlaid in the metal. Titanium or tungsten is used to provide extra durability and strength.
Bentwood Rings: Made by wrapping strips of wood tightly into cylindrical shapes. The wood is bent and kept together by wooden adhesives, sanded, and then polished.
Carved Rings: The easiest to make, carved rings are carved from a whole block of wood and treated to become waterproof. They’re minimalistic and charming.

Carved rings are the least expensive option, while wooden overlay rings will cost much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding wooden wedding rings.

What wood is best for rings?: Hardwood is the most durable. Commonly used woods include woods like oak, maple, cherry, birch, and alder. Softwoods, like cedar, hemlock, and pine, aren’t strong enough unless you strengthen them with a metal core.
Are wooden rings expensive?: No. Wooden rings, even ones made with a metal underlay or overlay, are less expensive than metal or gem-encrusted rings.
Can I engrave a wooden ring?: Yes. Most rings can be engraved using a hand or laser engraver. Ask your jeweler to add an engraving before finishing the ring.
Are wooden rings hypoallergenic?: Yes. They’re also low in electrical conductivity.

Care Instructions

Although wooden rings are harder to care for than metal rings, they can be as durable, if not more so, as metal rings. As a general rule, most wooden rings follow the same care instructions.

Unless they’re treated to be waterproof, most wooden rings have to be removed before showering, bathing, or swimming. If you’re using abrasives or chemicals, keep your wooden ring in a separate room. Avoid activities that would cause the ring to experience hard knocks.

You should also remove your ring if you’re placing hand lotions or hair gels on your hand.

Most wooden rings can withstand hand washing, but it’s better to remove your ring if it’s about to make contact with water. Prolonged exposure to moisture could warp the wood.