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An engagement ring is recognized worldwide as a symbol of devotion, trust, commitment, and eternal love. It is traditionally worn on the left ring finger, and it is stacked with the wedding ring on the day the couple exchanges vows during the ceremony.
But have you ever wondered why these important rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand? And does this differ in different parts of the world?
The placement of an engagement ring has remained fairly consistent throughout history. It is tradition for people to wear their engagement ring on their left ring finger.
You may be wondering: why this finger when there are nine others? This is because of the long-held belief—dating back to the Ancient Romans—that this finger has a vein that runs directly to the heart; it is referred to as the “vein of love,” the vena amoris.
The truth is that all ten fingers have veins connected to the heart, as it is how the circulatory system functions. But centuries of tradition have all but rendered biological fact moot; millions of people in most countries will keep wearing symbols of commitment on their left ring finger.
What Finger Does An Engagement Ring Go On for Women?
A diamond engagement ring symbolizes a promise to marry and remain committed for the rest of your life. The circular shape of an engagement band represents eternity with no end or even beginning, an infinite devotion to a lifelong partnership.
The left ring finger remains one of the most popular locations for engagement rings and, later on, wedding bands. This is despite the modern-day understanding of human anatomy showing that all of your fingers, in fact, have veins that connect directly to your heart.
Most brides-to-be wear their engagement and wedding jewelry on the ring fingers on either hand. In most countries, it is traditionally on the left hand. But there are many exceptions to this, such as in Germany, India, and Norway, where it is common for people to wear engagement rings and wedding rings on the ring finger of their right hand.
What Finger Does An Engagement Ring Go On for Men?
When a couple gets engaged, the ring represents a promise to marry. Generally, women wear the engagement ring, but both partners can choose to wear one.
In the last few years, engagement rings for men have been becoming more and more popular. In 2021, Tiffany & Co. released its very first bespoke line of engagement rings for men, heralding a new age in the industry.
Most men choose to follow tradition the way women do and wear their engagement rings on the ring finger of their left hand until it is supplemented by their wedding ring. But some others choose to wear it on their right hand or other fingers as a personal choice of self-expression.
In Sweden and Chile, it has long been common for men to wear engagement rings. They wear it on the ring finger of their right hand until the wedding ceremony. The engagement ring is then stacked on top of the wedding ring on their left ring finger, in the same way, their partner chooses.
What Hand Does the Wedding Ring Go On in America?
In the United States, people often wear their engagement ring on the left ring finger due to the tradition and symbolism that has already been mentioned above.
However, no hard and fast rule states you should wear your engagement ring on a specific finger. It is a personal choice that may be affected by certain traditions and beliefs.
For instance, some American immigrants from Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia wear their engagement and wedding rings on their right hand because it is what their parents and grandparents did.
What Finger Does An Engagement Ring Go on in the UK?
The answer to this question is similar to that of the United States—traditionally, people in the UK wear their engagement and wedding rings on their left hand. Of course, there are many exceptions to this, often because of personal preference or familial tradition.
What Hand Does the Wedding Ring Go on in Europe?
In many Northern and Eastern European countries, such as Denmark, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Norway, one will find that it is common to wear an engagement ring on the fourth finger of the right hand.
In Latin, the word ‘left’ is derived as ‘sinister,’ and as a result, some have considered the left hand to be unlucky in marriage.
Why Buy an Engagement Ring at therealdiamond.com?
Irrespective of what finger you choose to wear your wedding ring or engagement ring on, it is not the placement of the engagement ring that matters.
What matters is the promise of commitment to your partner, your union, and your future together. And what better way to show this than with a beautiful piece of jewelry that is a staunch symbol of a couple’s love, now and forever?
therealdiamond.com offers those looking for an engagement ring a little help along the way. We have high-quality, ready-made rings available and ready for delivery as soon as you click to purchase. If you want a unique, personalized piece, we can make your dream engagement ring a reality—just fill out our custom form.
For over 30 years, we have been dedicated to our vision to make the best, highest quality diamonds available to everyone who wants them. Each diamond is polished and graded with utmost attention and professionalism by our in-house experts to ensure that our pieces meet industry standards.
We craft all our pieces from beginning to end, guaranteeing top-notch quality at an affordable price. International shipping is fully insured and free, and our return policies are flexible and customer-friendly. Reach out to us today for all of your diamond jewelry needs.
