The best men’s jewelery brands prove that there have never been so many options for men looking to buy some gems. As someone who has begun wearing bracelets and hoop earrings consistently over the past year, it’s a wave I’ve happily swept along—and after spending a few months cautiously, then confidently shining through, the appeal of a category I’d ignored for too long suddenly makes complete sense.
Since I tend to only wear my normal clothes every day, having something flashy on me at all times exudes a sense of effort, even if I’ve just put on the nearest thing before walking out the door. Additionally, as someone who likes to know the stories behind her things, I love how most pieces of jewelery come with a clear explanation of their origins – whether it’s a ring that mimics the flow of a stream near the designer’s childhood home, or a necklace inspired by Roman medallions. Wearing something means more when you know the story behind it, and that serendipity can fit perfectly.
Of course, there’s the heritage element to it, too. Unlike clothing items that weaken over time, 925 sterling silver and gold can be returned to their original polish, while necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets can all be adjusted to suit any wearer you might want to give your piece to one day.
The world of jewelry options available to men has never been more crowded, so to help you make sense of it all, I’ve narrowed it down to the designers you need to know about now — from more wallet-friendly upstarts to wedding day-worthy jewelry wizards.
The Best Men’s Jewelry Brands According to GQ
- affordable giants: : Maple, Mejuri, Miansai
- Household Name Inheritance Act: : David Yurman, Cartier, Tiffany & Co.
- legacy-worthy upstart: : Bernard James, Foundre, Charlotte Chesnais, Pronis
- moderate independent: : All Blues, Bunny, Gottlob, Sophia Buhai, John Hardy
- cookie craftsman: : Alighieri, BP Bella, Blue Burnham, The Ouse, Aliu, Santangelo
- rock-god revivalist: : The Great Frog, Johnny Nelson, Martyn Ali, Tom Wood
affordable giants
If you’re new to the jewelry game, chances are you’ll want to keep costs down. The good news is that there are many products that are reasonably priced and of good enough quality that they can be worn for years to come. This is where the affordable giants excel. Because they operate on a scale that allows them to keep prices low, they can offer long-lasting designs in fine materials, miraculously often for less than $100.
maple
Austin McMahon created maple in 2014 with the guiding focus of being a “culturally relevant” men’s jewelery brand. That desire is manifested in their satisfying cultural contexts, including inspired rings. grateful dead bear and this Nirvana’s smiley face logo. Because Maple uses recycled silver, all its designs look more attractive and heavy.
