Men’s Wedding Ring Finishes

A customer recently asked me what the difference is between ring finishes. I told him that each type of ring finish reflects light differently; a matte finish reflects less light than a satin finish, and a satin finish reflects less light than a polished finish. I also told him that the finish can slightly alter the color of a ring.

I realize that this answer isn’t all that helpful in visualizing how a ring’s finish changes its appearance. So, I have decided to write a post on some of the types of ring finishes we offer, with a few videos tossed in as visual aid.

Black zirconium rings can be finished in the same ways that other materials can be. That is, in matte, satin, polished, brushed, hammered, etc. The above video shows, from left to right:

BEAD BLASTED FINISH

• This finish reflects the least amount of light, and creates a matte appearance. It also creates more of a charcoal colored ring.

BRUSHED FINISH

• This finish reflects a medium amount of light, and creates a satin appearance.

POLISHED FINISH

• This finish reflects the maximum amount of light, and creates a shiny and reflective surface.

 

This next video shows black zirconium rings that have hammered finishes. You may notice a subtle difference between the color of the two rings, which is the result of the different types of hammer used.

 

Next up we have men’s titanium rings in a few different types of finish.

From left to right we have:

HAMMERED AND BRUSHED FINISH

• Reflects less light and results in a grayer appearance.

RUSTIC, HEAVY BRUSHED FINISH

• Reflects a medium amount of light, with randomly patterned lines visible.

BRUSHED FINISH

• Typical brushed finish, reflecting medium to lesser amounts of light.

CROSS BRUSHED FINISH 

• Machine marks left on, with polished grooves beside the gold inlay. Crossed brushed finish reflects light differently than a typical brushed finish. The metal appears a lighter silvery gray.

 

Stainless steel rings. From left to right:

• Hammered and polished finish
• Brushed finish with hammered edge.
• Coss brushed finish with machine marks left on.
• Damascus stainless steel with a bead blasted finish.
• Damascus stainless steel with polished finish (I have worn this ring every day for the last year, so please don’t mind the marks – they are actually a stuborn type of paint that I haven’t yet removed).

 

Here are a couple different finishes for gold and silver. The silver ring features a rustic finish, which reflects a medium amount of light. The gold ring has a hammered and cross-brushed finish.

I hope this post gives you a better idea of how various ring finishes appear. If you are interested in having us make you a custom ring, please contact us with the details, and we’ll let you know if it’s something that we can do.