# What Gemstones Can A Man Wear? (In Jewelry, Of Course) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471 "2005-06-08T16:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/1 "2005-06-08T16:15:03Z")
Every once in a while, I think about getting a ring. I’m not much of one for jewelry–I’ve got a Timex Expedition watch that badly needs replacement (and trust me, it ain’t what you would think of as a fancy watch), but that’s it, besides the studs and cufflinks that came with my tux. I can’t find the recent thread on men’s jewelry, so I’m going to start this one. So, anyway, what kind of gemstones generally work for men? I think that the gist of that other thread is that the women responding didn’t really like much other than plain silver bands, but I figure it can’t hurt to ask. Not that I’m likely to pony up the money for a ring any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/2 "2005-06-08T16:17:28Z")
I would have no problem wearing a ring with a nice black onyx in it. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/3 "2005-06-08T16:24:06Z")
[Ammolite](http://www.ammolite-guaranteed.com/) is very pretty, and is suitable for men’s jewelry. [Obsidian](http://www.mineralminers.com/html/obsjlry.stm) is also very nice. [Opal](http://www.opals-opals.biz/) could also be a nice choice. And of course, a [diamond](http://www.jewelbasket.com/jbdrgox72033.html) is always nice. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/4 "2005-06-08T16:28:09Z")
My father has a very nice turquoise ring. I think in the case of men, it better be a big ol’ stone, or don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/5 "2005-06-08T16:32:42Z")
No rubies! They don’t even look that nice on women. Stick with diamonds, probably. If your skin is fairly pale, turquoise is a beautiful color. Onyx, yes. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/6 "2005-06-08T17:11:52Z")
I guess, if nothing else, there is always the [Sterling Silver & Cubic Zirconia Phat Bling Spinner Ring](http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=733608). ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/7 "2005-06-08T17:17:25Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I guess, if nothing else, there is always the [Sterling Silver & Cubic Zirconia Phat Bling Spinner Ring](http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=733608). Eww! ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/8 "2005-06-08T17:27:55Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Eww! It’s absolutely awful, I agree, but the name is kinda fun to say. “Hey, what kind of ring is that?” “It’s my sterling silver and cubic zirconia phat bling spinner ring.” ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/9 "2005-06-08T17:30:40Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I guess, if nothing else, there is always the [Sterling Silver & Cubic Zirconia Phat Bling Spinner Ring](http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=733608). Check out the reviews: > [@](#): > > Reviewer: Jacquina from Kansas City, Missouri > This ring is off da chain. My man Jamal is a playa with plenty of bling, but this spinner is dope! That’s a joke, right? Right? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/10 "2005-06-08T17:35:18Z")
No diamonds. A dark garnet is cool. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/11 "2005-06-08T17:36:54Z")
Wear whatever you like. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/12 "2005-06-08T17:42:09Z")
I dunno. I’d say it’s not that different from what gemstones a woman should wear. Depends on what your general style is. I would say obsidian is, indeed, a good bet for men in general (and women…lovely stone). Or onyx. I guess, for men, more burnished, less glittery. but as I say, depends on your personal style. I would disagree with the folks who recommended diamonds…might as well tatoo “yes I have money” on your forehead. Tacky. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/13 "2005-06-08T17:49:41Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > I would disagree with the folks who recommended diamonds…might as well tatoo “yes I have money” on your forehead. Tacky. Depends on how big the diamond is. I wear an [anniversary signet](http://www.john-christian.com/) ring on my left hand and a gold and onyx ring on my right. Both burnished or brushed. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/14 "2005-06-08T18:06:39Z")
Why tough, manly ones, of course! Seriously, though, I think just about anything not pink is fine. Also pearls are somehow inherently feminine, so I don’t think they can work to well in a man’s ring, although for something like a tie-tack a pearl would be fine. This is strictly IMO. FWIW I’m male, but I think most of you know that. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/15 "2005-06-08T18:08:25Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > I would disagree with the folks who recommended diamonds…might as well tatoo “yes I have money” on your forehead. Tacky. Actually, I think diamonds have a certain…look. I am of two minds about diamonds. One is, I know it’s all a big scam and they rip you off and I don’t want a diamond engagement ring because I don’t like them very much… and the other is, they do look nice. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/16 "2005-06-08T18:15:09Z")
Another vote here for onyx or obsidian. Preferably set in sterling silver. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/17 "2005-06-08T18:39:07Z")
Some of the more natural-looking, less sparkly gemstones like [moldavite](http://www.mineralminers.com/html/moljlry.stm), [jade](http://www.jadeshop.com/html/jade_and_sterling_silver_ring.html) or [amber](http://www.amberman.com/customer/home.php?cat=336) might be good. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/18 "2005-06-08T18:46:16Z")
DeHusband wears a silver zuni ring with an inlay of about 10 different semi-precious stones. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/19 "2005-06-08T19:35:18Z")
I recently bought my wife a sterling silver pendant set with a dark blue lapis-lazuli about a half-inch across. I wouldn’t mind having a silver and lapis ring, myself. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471/20 "2005-06-08T19:46:54Z")
Alexandrite is a beautiful stone, which changes colors in different lights. I have one in a pretty silver setting. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gemstones-can-a-man-wear-in-jewelry-of-course/307471.md?page=2)