Synonymous with love and commitment, the engagement ring holds a special place in the hearts of the bride and groom. According to tradition, this highly symbolic jewel is worn in a certain way to truly embody the promise of marriage that it represents.
Castafiore guides you through the customs and traditions of wearing an engagement ring. In this article, discover on which finger to wear this jewel, as well as your wedding ring .
Wearing an engagement ring: the rules to follow
Since ancient Rome, couples have materialized their desire to unite for life with an engagement ring. In the form of a perfectly circular ring, it certainly symbolizes eternal love in all eras. However, it was not until the Renaissance that rings set with (semi-)precious stones appeared, as there are now many models.
While the man is the one who traditionally offers the jewel to his bride, more and more women are now freeing themselves from the classic codes and taking on the marriage proposal themselves in heterosexual couples. In non-heterosexual relationships, each person is also free to propose to the other and offer them an engagement ring that matches their love (and their budget!).
Some customs have nevertheless persisted over the millennia, particularly with regard to the wearing of engagement rings. Here again, it is up to you to follow traditions or play the non-conformist card, according to your desires.
On which finger of the hand?
In ancient times, the Egyptians believed that a vein directly connected the heart to the left ring finger. The Romans later named this vein “vena amoris”. Thus, the finger located between the middle finger and the little finger has remained the symbol of the loved one from era to era, unlike its neighbors which represent respectively the individual himself and his descendants.
Even today, future brides and grooms usually wear their engagement jewelry around their ring finger, as a modern echo of ancestral beliefs. Etymologically, the word “ring finger” refers to the ring, whether it is the engagement ring, the wedding ring or the signet ring.
Right hand or left hand?
In France and in most European countries, the left hand is almost always the preferred choice when it comes to wearing an engagement ring, following the model of ancient traditions.
Other countries, on the contrary, favor the right hand, while keeping the ring finger as the preferred finger to wear this symbolic jewel . This is for example the case in Brazil, India or Turkey.
Can an engagement ring change hands?
As a general rule, the engagement ring is designed to stay in the same place once worn. Right-handed people can protect their jewel from premature wear by wearing it on their left hand, which is generally less used during daily manual activities.
As a left-hander, you can vary the pleasures by placing your jewel on your right hand to better protect it.
Please note: your two ring fingers may not have exactly the same ring size. It may therefore be necessary to have your ring size adjusted if you wish to change hands, or even change fingers to wear your engagement jewelry according to your own tastes, preferences and desires.
What are the differences between a wedding ring and an engagement ring?
While engagement jewelry is given at the time of the marriage proposal, wedding rings are invited to the ceremony to concretize the promise embodied by the first.
On the one hand, the engagement ring is generally a jewel of great preciousness, like a solitaire adorned with diamonds and other sparkling precious stones. On the other hand, the wedding ring often takes the form of a simple ring set or not with a single diamond. Because it is worn by both spouses after the wedding, it is indeed accompanied by a more sober design and adapted to everyday life.
For both types of rings, there is in any case a great diversity of shapes, styles, materials and colors. Opt for a yellow gold model to respect traditions to the letter or let yourself be convinced by the elegance of a white gold jewel, or even by the modernity of a rose gold piece. If you are looking for a ring for your partner, take inspiration from their usual jewelry or ask them directly for their opinion to make a flawless choice.
In what order should you wear your engagement and wedding rings?
The wedding ring and the engagement ring can absolutely be worn at the same time. In this case, it is common to place the wedding ring first, then the engagement ring on top . In this way, the wedding ring is closer to the heart of the person wearing it, for an even stronger symbolism.
After the wedding, your engagement jewelry can be moved to the other hand or to the middle finger of the same hand, depending on the desired effect. While both rings are meant to be worn at the same time, hence the creation of matching rings by many jewelry houses, some people choose to reserve the wearing of their engagement jewelry for special occasions.
Overall less strict than wearing a wedding ring, wearing an engagement ring gives you the opportunity to give free rein to your fantasies. The only golden rule: wear your jewelry with pleasure and confidence in all circumstances. If they symbolize your loving union, they also stand out as worthy representatives of your personality. So, what could be better than celebrating your uniqueness on a daily basis with a piece of jewelry that suits you? Signed or unsigned, the antique, vintage and second-hand engagement rings in the Castafiore catalog promise you an original and unique alternative to classic jewelry.
