Have you already experienced the unforgettable moment that ends with the magic word “yes”? Is there a jewel sparkling in a box as an expression of your love and a symbol which says you’ll spend the rest of your lives together? Then we’ll tell you which finger you should put it on. You’ll also get to learn something about the historical origin and meaning behind giving an engagement ring and what you can do with it once you’re married.
History Bits
The emergence of the tradition of giving engagement rings can be dated back to the period of ancient Egyptians. However, in ancient Egypt, as well as later in ancient Rome, it was still a tradition which didn’t have the romantic spirit of today’s engagements and marriage ceremonies. The ring mainly suggested a girl or a woman is officially promised to someone.
Symbolism
The shape of a circle should symbolize eternity and infinite love. It also expresses that everything in the world is well interconnected and that people are coupled by a beautiful coincidence. Also, the hole in the ring has a meaning of its own, as it is a kind of “gate” through which a person enters something new, which is a notion closely linked to an engagement and subsequent marriage.
How did diamonds find their way onto engagement rings?
In the distant past, the rings were simple circles made of materials which weren’t very durable. For example, grass, carved wood, or leather were used. Metals such as iron, silver, or gold began to be used later. Therefore, the rings started to look similar to those we know today. Nowadays, the most popular choice for an engagement ring is a gold band with one central diamond.
The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy, the fiancée of Archduke Maximilian of Austria, in 1477. This jewel became popular among those of higher social class then, and later, when diamond mines were discovered in the 19th century, engagement rings with diamonds started to occur more frequently. The influential position of this type of ring was bolstered after the 1947 De Beers marketing campaign--the slogan of which read Diamonds Are Forever.
Find the right one
No two people in the world have the same taste. Therefore, the range of engagement rings is really wide these days. Tradition-lovers opt for gold and diamonds, while those who seek eternal beauty with a modern face choose among halo rings, for example--and even minimalists can find their perfect choice. In our KLENOTA atelier, we will also be happy to help you design a tailor-made engagement ring which will meet all of your specifications without any exceptions.
Which finger is the engagement ring worn on then?
Even though traditions may differ in different parts of the world, an engagement ring is typically worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Romans in ancient times believed that there is a vein of love which leads from this finger directly to the heart. The advanced knowledge of human anatomy showed us there is no such vein, but the ring has stayed in the same place. It is also due to more practical reasons – it looks nice there, but it won’t get damaged easily. Therefore, it will remain as beautiful as it was on the day of the engagement.
What you can do with an engagement ring after your wedding
If a woman doesn’t want to abandon wearing her engagement ring after her wedding, there are several options on what to do:
A popular choice is to wear both the engagement and the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand. If you plan on doing this, it is recommended that you think through your choice of the wedding ring accordingly.
Moreover, the engagement ring can move to another finger on the left hand--the middle finger is often chosen. If you like this option, consider adjusting the size of the ring so it will fit well on another finger.
The last option is to wear the ring on the ring finger of the right hand and wear only the wedding ring on your left ring finger.
A proposal is the beginning of something new. An engagement ring on your hand is a permanent reminder of this unique moment. We wish that your relationship further develops in the right direction in the future and that your marriage only solidifies your commitment to each other.
