Gentlemen's Gems: Masculinity Has No Dress Code

Everyone deserves to wear whatever the fuck they want. That includes you, Chad!

Some men have been wearing gemstones for decades because they already live by the mantra. So should we all.

I wanted to share some of my inspirations for launching the Gentlemen’s Gems collection and to hopefully introduce more men to gemstone jewelry. So, stick with me here. I hope by the end you are as passionate about men dripping in gemstones as we are.

As a man who has worn whatever I wanted for my entire life, and as a man who makes beautiful jewelry for anyone who loves what we do, I always felt a little left out when it came to ornate jewelry. For me, it started with simple wedding bands featuring a couple of small diamonds. I soon moved into a large signet ring with a large flush-set Salt and Pepper diamond. I wore that ring every day until I lost it in the lake. Heartbreak of the summer. Since that ring, I have made and worn several pieces of jewelry that feature gemstones that I love. I pierced my ears and started wearing whatever earrings I wanted, including pearls and gemstones. Now I wear more jewelry than my wife does most days.

I too have struggled with the desire to wear large gems, or huggy earrings. I thought that I would be thought of differently, or that some people may not take me seriously if I had pierced ears and flashy rings. But then I decided I didn’t care. I decided I was going to wear whatever the fuck I wanted and that I didn’t care to associate with anyone who would judge me because of what I wore instead of how I acted. I have witnessed people in my life start to do the same, to adopt their own style and their own affinity with beautiful jewelry. I have loved being a part of that, and I hope that Staghead Designs can continue to show men that they too deserve to wear what they want.

Historically speaking, men have worn gemstones for millennia. In ancient Egypt, Warriors wore carnelian into battle, believing it made them fearless and invincible. Turquoise adorned pharaohs' crowns and rings. It was believed to protect against evil and ensure safe passage to the afterlife. For Egyptians, wearing gems was essential. Their gems were a symbol of their identity, power, and their place in society. The more powerful the man, the more elaborate his gemstone adornment.

Like the Egyptians, the all-time man-favorite Romans wore Hematite and tiger's eye jewelry into battle, believing that it made them invincible and gave them courage. Roman men also wore carnelian signet rings engraved with their family crest or personal symbols. They wore amethyst to maintain clear thinking during political gatherings, or to stave off intoxication. If Roman men could wear gems, so can we all!

Pictured above from left to right: Gold ring with carnelian intaglio portrait of Tiberius, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Amethyst ring stone, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Gold ring with inscribed bezel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

In medieval Europe, Knights wore crystal amulets under their armor for protection in battle. Bloodstone was particularly popular, believed to stop bleeding and ensure victory. Noble men wore elaborate signet rings with carved gemstones representing their family lineage and authority. These rings were used to seal official documents and demonstrated power.

In Asian traditions, Jade was believed to represent virtue, wisdom, and immortality. Jade pendants, rings, and belt ornaments were essential to a gentleman's attire. Tibetan men wore ancient etched agate beads for protection, prosperity, and spiritual power. These beads were considered so valuable they were used as currency.

Into the Victorian era, as society grew and superstitions became less prominent, men wore fewer and fewer gemstones. This was not due to an inherent disconnect between masculinity and crystals, but because traditions changed and gemstones began to be more associated with women’s jewelry. However, for a long time still, men wore signet rings with carved gemstones, decorative tie pins, cufflinks featuring gemstones, and ornate pocket watch chains with crystal fobs. For men, the gems got smaller and more decorative, worn simply for fashion rather than for a specific purpose.

Pictured above: Cuff links, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Secret societies have used gemstone jewelry since their inception as pieces of meaningful and ritualistic significance. The most notable of these would have to be the Freemasons. The Masons have been responsible for quite a bit of jewelry inspiration that is still used all over the world. For the societies, gemstone jewelry packs more meaning and significance than what I care to cover here, but some of it has to do with spirituality, status, and recognition in the community, their level of power within the society, and so much more. Societies have used jewelry and gemstones for hundreds of years. Men of these societies proudly wore their meaningful jewelry and still do today.

In modern times, there has been a revival of men wearing more gemstones. It is becoming more and more prominent in men's fashion. In the diamond and gemstone mining boom of the late 19th century, there were many ads targeted to men for gemstone fashion jewelry. Signet rings with carved and faceted stones entered men's fashion again at a meaningful level. It was again about status, fashion sense, and having a way of showing your bros that you knew how to dress and accessorize. You can’t tell me you haven’t looked at Brad Pitt and wished you could pull off a diamond necklace and rings as he can.

The 70s and 80s saw a revival for men's jewelry featuring large gemstones. Go have a look at your most badass uncle or grandpa's closet, and I’ll bet you money you find some pretty sweet jewelry in there. The men of the 80’s especially didn’t give a shit about your opinion of gemstones or crop tops. They wore that shit and got more attention on a Monday morning than you do on a Friday night.

Now, now, don’t go getting all offended at me. You know you wish you could be as cool as your dad was in the 80s. I say, bring back the crop tops and short shorts. You work hard for those abs and legs, show them off, baby! Throw in a pearl necklace and a sweet ass signet ring and make the look something that turns heads. Even if some of those heads are gonna be negative, who gives a shit. Wear whatever you want, look how you want to look. Be confident in who you are and how you present yourself. Don’t listen to naysayers or negative numpty’s. They will no doubt eventually be the last to catch up and adopt the jewelry that you have been wearing for years. 

"Xavier," "Mateo", and "Edward" from the Gentlemen's Gems Collection

Be a trendsetter in your circles, be the first to branch out and explore new jewelry and accessories. I guarantee other men around you wish they could do the same but just need permission. Be the permission they need, be the one who sought to wear whatever you want, and damn those who would call you names for it. Reclaiming gemstone jewelry as a man is absolutely not about abandoning masculinity. It’s about embracing a fuller and more powerful expression of it. It's about emotional intelligence and having the confidence to honor ancient traditions. Your masculinity is what you make it, and if that doesn’t include gemstones, that too is ok.

At Staghead Designs, we have been big proponents of supporting the women who have wanted something different than the industry-standard diamond engagement ring. Offering non-traditional gemstones and rings has been our passion from day one. Now, we are hoping to help change the view on men wearing gemstones that they love. As a man who wears ornate jewelry, I love seeing other men find the confidence to express themselves as well. It is sad to me that there are men out there who suppress this desire to wear whatever the fuck they want. The thing I learned since wearing more jewels is that most people don’t care. Most men I encounter actually like the pieces I wear and compliment them. So, go out and wear whatever the fuck you want, it’s your life and your style, own it! I know I am, and I don’t regret it at all.

Thank you for attending my TED Talk. Have a great day. I can’t wait to make you your first piece of gemstone jewelry.

Best,
Brad Eaves
Co-founder of Staghead Designs