There was a time not long ago when the jewelry store was primarily the domain of women. About the only man to be found inside was either making the sale or a prospective Romeo looking for just the right gift for the maiden fair. Times have changed and more and more men are visiting jewelry stores to find just the right items to complete their own personal look. With the range of styles and items available it’s becoming easier all the time for men to find their perfect pieces of fine jewelry.

For a man trying to complete the right professional look a fine wristwatch is a good item to consider. Classic gold and platinum watches now come with all the bells and whistles to satisfy the gadget junkie in any man while still providing a clean, cultured look. Classic brands like Rolex and Cartier are still leaders in the luxury watch-making industry and offer styles that will look good with any outfit, while still maintaining the level of quality that made them famous. Gunmetal watches offer a cleaner, less luxurious appearance and are perfect for men on the go or in job situations that take them into the field and away from the boardroom. Antique watch sales are on the rise as well as men work to recapture some of the looks made popular in classic 20^th century movies and TV. As a result some classic watches, like Rolex models, have seen their value soar in recent years making a fine watch purchase a sound investment.

Gold and platinum rings are also becoming increasingly popular among male buyers. Birthstone rings, diamond rings, and classic gold nugget rings are seeing their sales rise again as more and more men choose to invest in precious metals and gems instead of stocks and bonds. It’s important to consider the type of man who will wear a ring when making this sort of purchase. Obviously an ornate diamond and gem ring isn’t a good choice for a man that works with his hands and seldom dresses up for a night on the town. Similarly the gold nugget ring that looks right at home on a man’s hand at the poker table or the ballpark might not be the best choice to top off an executive outfit or to wear to a formal occasion.

Bracelets offer a very wide variety of styles and colors, and are finding their way onto the wrists of more men every day. One attraction of bracelets is that there literally is a bracelet to match every man. Active, athletic males might choose to wear therapeutic copper or magnetic bracelets to help with aches and pains associated with rigorous activity. Also becoming increasingly popular are colored, plastic or rubber bracelets. These items are often adorned with logos from favorite sports teams, players, or charitable causes. An example of the latter are the popular “Live Strong” bracelets created by cancer survivor and Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. Nike markets the bracelets and gives a portion of each sale to benefit cancer research. Indianapolis Colts jewelry had a recent surge in popularity. That trend will no doubt head south to the new Super Bowl champs.

Jewelry isn’t just for women anymore. Chances are you’ll see more men wearing jewelry now than at any time in recent history, with experts saying the trend will continue. So don’t be surprised if the next time you’re in the jewelry store the fussy customer you see trying on every new item is a gentleman instead of a lady.