When you first start shopping for wedding jewelry, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. There are many different options available and this can be confusing for a lot of people, and especially for those who haven’t purchased much jewelry before. This fact holds true for both engagement rings and wedding rings. Most of the time, people who buy these rings have never purchased rings before, so it’s easy to get confused.
Here is some information on wedding rings and engagement rings that will help you understand the differences between the two.
What is an Engagement Ring?
An engagement ring is a single ring that is typically given at a marriage proposal. Traditionally, the woman in the relationship receives the ring and begins wearing it as soon as she accepts the proposal. The most common type of engagement ring is a diamond engagement ring. However, there are several styles, designs and types available today.
What is a Wedding Ring?
A wedding ring is a ring that is presented and worn at a wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the rings are exchanged between partners during the ceremony. Both men and women wear wedding rings.
An engagement ring is typically more extravagant than a wedding ring, but that can depend on personal preference.
A groom’s wedding ring is often thicker in width than the bride’s and is made of a precious metal such as gold, platinum, etc. Some styles of men’s wedding rings contain small jewels such as diamonds while others do not.
How Do You Wear the Rings?
Typically engagement rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand, next to the pinky. This is why it is often called your “ring finger.”
After marriage, most women wear both their engagement ring and their wedding ring, as do men. In many cases, an engagement ring and a wedding ring are both worn on the same finger on the same hand. For this reason, a lot of people want to have engagement rings and wedding rings that match well or go with one another. However, this is a matter of personal preference and it’s not required.
Some women wear their wedding ring on their left ring finger after the wedding and move the engagement ring over to the right hand. Again, this depends on what you personally prefer.
Buying an Engagement Ring and Wedding Rings
Some people choose to buy their wedding rings and engagement rings at the same time. This is often because they want to get an engagement ring that perfectly matches the woman’s wedding ring. However, this isn’t necessary and it’s up to you if you would like to buy both rings together.
One major reason why many buy the rings separately is the element of surprise. The person proposing often buys an engagement ring in secret and presents it to their partner. The two then buy wedding rings together after the engagement is official.
However you choose to buy the rings is entirely up to you.
