Since the earliest days of human history, people have looked for ways to stand out and show their individuality. Whether to show their power, wealth, strength—you name it—we’ve always wanted to flaunt it.

For over 5,000 years, rings have been a subtle (and sometimes quite obvious) way of expressing what we’re all about. They show who we are, what we value, and how we wish to be perceived.

We’re well aware that you don’t choose a ring just as an accessory—you choose it to fit in with your lifestyle and reflect who you are. So we’ve written this blog to show you where the many different ring types fit into modern fashion.

Casual Rings: Stylish with an ‘everyday’ vibe

Casual rings are about finding that elusive sweet spot between style and comfort. These are the rings you slip on without a second thought—workdays, workouts, lunches, just chilling—the real all-rounders.

A great-looking ring that you can’t stand to wear for more than a few hours doesn’t exactly fit the ‘casual vibe’ category. So at ETRNL, we tend to really focus on material and fit for our casual rings collection. For materials, we’re generally looking at tungsten, titanium, and silicone.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s great about each of these:

• Tungsten: About as tough as materials come, tungsten rings are just about bulletproof—great for casual wear and still comes in all the classic ring colours.
• Titanium: A very lightweight metal. It’s easy to forget how tough titanium is when you consider how light it is. Very resistant to corrosion and comes in all of the top ring colours.
• Silicone: If comfort is your priority, you really can’t go past a silicon ring. They’re understated, super safe to wear with all activities, and just fun.

Formal Rings: Rings With That ‘Wow’ Factor

A ring is always meant to be stylish, but formal rings take it up a notch or three. Their combination of sophistication, elegance, and that smattering of wow factor is exactly what a formal occasion calls for. Think weddings, black-tie events, dinner parties—those moments when you want to shine.

Here at ETRNL, we love a formal ring that feels timeless but still carries that modern flair. If formality is your thing, classic gold, the striking depth of black zirconium, and the unique textures of Damascus steel are all top picks.

Fashion Rings: Rings That Pop

Fashion rings are meant to be fun. That doesn’t mean they need to be three fingers wide and make it impossible to wear a glove—but they should say something a little different. In many cases, rings are the subtle addition to an otherwise complete outfit, whereas fashion rings can be as visually striking as they like.

So what should you go for? We’re not short on unique designs here at ETRNL, but our natural wood collection is hard to ignore. These are real double-take-inducing rings. The kind of ring where people want to know where you got it. An honourable mention also goes out to Damascus steel for the unique texture and feel of that material.

What Rings Are in Fashion Today?

Trends come and go, but a great ring always finds a way to stand out. So, what rings are in fashion right now? Well, versatility tends to be key in modern ring fashion. More and more people are opting for pieces that can easily make the jump from casual to formal without needing to change.

Mixed metals are also having a moment—rings that blend gold and tungsten, or silver and titanium, as well as many other combinations. These are closely followed by unique ring textures like Damascus Steel and silicone. We’ve been making rings at ETRNL for a very long time, and we try to keep our fingers right on the pulse with the latest trends—so you’ll find all of the above-mentioned styles in our range.

The Impact of Material Choice on Ring Versatility

It’s no secret that the material of a ring impacts its versatility. We’re going to break this one down and rank our different ring materials based solely on versatility alone:

• Titanium: As versatile as it gets. It's one-two combo of being lightweight and super strong makes it the perfect daily wear/active use ring.
• Tungsten: Highly durable and scratch-resistant, but slightly heavier than titanium, which is what puts it in 2nd place.
• Silicone: Very flexible and tough, perfect for active use and high-impact activities, but less formal compared to metals.
• Stainless Steel: Strong and versatile, suitable for a range of styles and environments, though not as lightweight as titanium.
• Tantalum: Durable and resistant to wear, but heavier and less common, making it a bit less versatile for everyday use.
• Black Zirconium: Tough and corrosion-resistant, suitable for daily wear, but the black finish is more niche compared to more traditional metals.
• Gold: Classic but softer, versatile for formal occasions but more prone to scratching and wear, making it less suitable for rugged environments.
• Damascus Steel: Strong but textured, making it better for specific, bold looks rather than everyday wear.
• Wood: Distinct but delicate, can require a little extra care, which limits its versatility for daily wear.

Mixing and Matching: How to Style Rings for Any Occasion

The beauty of rings is that you don’t have to stop at just one. So why not mix and match?

You can do this in a number of different ways—stack multiple bands on the one finger, keep it monotone with similar styles and colours, wear different metals for some contrast, or mix some understated rings with a statement piece to spice it up.

Let’s say you’re looking at an everyday vibe, we’d suggest keeping it chill on the colours and picking some materials that are suited to long-term wear. Perhaps a titanium ring with a signet ring in a complementary colour?

The sky’s the limit. But then let’s say you need to get formal, so you head over to the more decadent corners of the ETRNL catalogue and try a tungsten ring paired with a gold band. This gives you that classy, polished look, without trying too hard. Mixed metals are in, so experiment and change it up!

Customising Your Ring to Suit Your Style

When it comes to rings, one size definitely doesn’t fit all—but isn’t that the beauty of ring ownership? Making your ring personal is a lovely touch, so we added engraving options to most of our rings to help you make your piece that bit more special.

You can add a significant date, a meaningful word, or even a short phrase if you like—it just has to be 25 characters or less. Customisation is an aesthetic choice, but it also adds another layer of personality and visible storytelling to your ring. And at the end of the day, that’s what owning rings is really all about.

Finding the Perfect Ring for Any Occasion at ETRNL

We don’t just make rings, we make jewellery for life. If you’re on the lookout for a ring that does the speaking for you—you’ll find it in our eclectic range of top-quality rings at ETRNL.