Darling dearest ESB.
My man (a once-flower farmer, which is kinda hot, right?) wants a floral wedding band. This comes with two primary problems: 1. He is embarrassed to tell a salesperson that he wants a "girly" ring, and 2. His options are, well, girly. We've tried to think of synonyms for floral (think "filigree" and "viney"), but to no avail.
Interweb searches have generated some promising results, but the dude is picky (obvs--he chose me) and wants to (understandably) hold the ring in his hands/try it on before he buys. He's not really into the whole roughly hewn organic thing, and wants a more traditional-looking ring...with flowers. Oh, and we're ideally looking for something < $300...of course.
Does anything cheap/classy/manly/floral come to mind? Or can you at least think of better buzz words for a salesperson?
Thanks!
Flower Power
*****
He's shy AND picky AND cheap AND he refuses to use the internetz???
THAT'S WHAT THE INTERNETZ ARE FOR.
p.s. I found that shit on etsy. You're welcome.
One option - find a shop where he wouldn't be embarrassed to say 'a men's floral ring please' (i.e. not too traditional perhaps), and just take a deep breath and say it.
ReplyDeleteMen didn't wear pink until very recently...
Or find a jeweller you like and ask for a custom floral band.
Finally - buy off the internet and return if need be - check returns policies first. Job done.
this is the best I could find in the 5 minutes I was willing to dedicate to this task (these restrictions are bananas - he has to get over his fear of talking to jewelers about it if he's afraid of ordering online!)
ReplyDeletemy other suggestion would be to get him a plain band and have it engraved, either inside or out, with a floral design
WHY WOULD YOU POST THAT?
Delete... I don't think either of our picks are particularly good/manly
DeleteHow about a museum-cast French Poesy Ring?
ReplyDeleteSub $300?
DeleteWhen I was looking for bands I found quite a few mens bands that had flowers engraved on them. I think they were all from the late 1800s/early 1900s when flowers were a form of communication. You can either do research at your local jewelry store to figure out the size, color, and width that is comfortable for him and then look online on Ruby Lane and Etsy. The other option is to go to every antique store and roadshow in your area and scour them for the right ring for him. Mens flower bands do exist, though. And they aren't girly.
ReplyDeleteI think a ring with a flat rather than rounded surface, and on the wider side, will help balance the flowers and make it masculine. If you see one (from etsy or a local jeweler that actually makes the jewelry they sell) that is close but too "girly", the person who made it might have ideas about how to make it suit your man's taste. I would suggest not going to really conventional jewelry stores -- they make anyone who doesn't want a huge rock for the lady and a plain band for the man feel embarrassed. Less traditional jewelry stores will still have plenty of more traditional looking rings.
ReplyDeleteyahoo! this one is sweet!
ReplyDeleteA beauty!
"This remarkable 14K rose gold antique wedding band features a triangular faceted surface decorated with a hand hammered design of flowers and ferns. The Civil War wedding ring measures 7.66 mm in width. Circa: 1880. Size 9 1/4. We cannot re-size. $300.00 "
That ring is absolutely STUNNING.
DeleteYES to this one. well done anna!
DeleteOMG. Yeah its basically perfect. It can't be re-sized though. But perhaps can be taken as an inspiration photo for a custom job?
DeleteWow! I LOVE both ESB's and Anna's suggestions! Done and done.
ReplyDeletesecond that!
DeleteI don't know where you're located, but C. Priolo, out of Fairfax, CA, makes some really nice bands that I think would fit the bill really well. They don't seem to have a website, but I worked at a jewelry store in the Bay Area and know they have a paper catalog...
ReplyDeleteHow do we feel about silver? Not durable enough? I like the lip around the edge of this one.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.paulhapip.com/ I met Paul Hapip at an art show... his stuff is insanely sexy in person, and looks much better than his online photos. He has a huge range of rings that features specific flowers and plants, and a ring without stones from him should be well within your price point!
ReplyDeletecheck vintage stores, expos, etc too. patty found her awesome MEN's FLORAL band at a vintage ring store called wanna buy a watch in LA. dudes back in the day didn't balk at flowers...so you might have some luck with vintage. her ring is floral and totally manly...
ReplyDeleteI'd go with Anna's and tell him to get over the internet deal.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he could go try on some rings in real life and figure what what metal, style, fit he wants and then buy on the internet.
ReplyDeleteReproduction poesy rings are cheaper than actual antique (I can only find them on websites that are apparently from 1998 though?)
ReplyDeleteHe was a flower farmer and he wants a flower band. People will see the ring. They will see the flowers. Just ask for flowers already.
ReplyDeleteA few options all under 300$:
A lot of choice in the vintage, especially in the 1800-1900s:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93934236/deco-wedding-band-circa-1920s-white-gold?image_id=315402151
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79831884/vintage-wedding-band-art-deco-18-karat?ref=sr_gallery_4&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=band+flower+gold&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage
Non-vintage
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71129197/silver-gold-collection-art-deco-ring-gsr?ref=sc_2&sref=sr_510caa57c8c4549128abaaeef99bd1e4e661610320c50284c7b47179651abcb5_1331860504_14166340_ring
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85238427/floral-wedding-band-in-sterling-silver
I love him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing my mens wedding band. I'm in the process of acquiring more having sold a few recently. Your partner is not alone in his want a traditional, non-girly, floral ring. They can be found, good luck!
ReplyDelete- Addy
You might also check watch repair/vintage/pawn shops. We found this for my hubs (who also wanted a floral "grandpa ring" as he called it) for under $500.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/6733_1220680994719_1159740966_654098_5195682_n.jpg