What Is an Engagement Ring?
An engagement ring is a lovely symbol that shows someone is planning to get wedding rings. When a person is ready to propose, they usually buy an engagement ring to express their love and desire to spend the rest of their life with their partner. The person who is proposed to wears the ring during the engagement and often continues to wear it after Wedding Rings . Traditionally, these rings are only worn by the person who was proposed to. They’re usually made from metal and often feature a diamond as the centerpiece, although other gemstones can be included too.
What Is a Wedding Ring?
A wedding ring, also known as a wedding band, is exchanged between partners during the wedding ceremony as a symbol of their marriage. Unlike engagement rings, both partners typically wear marriage throughout their marriage. If you have an marriage, the wedding band is usually worn alongside it. Wedding bands tend to be simpler, often just a metal band without the flashy diamonds. If they do have diamonds or other stones, they’re usually smaller and designed to complement rather than outshine the engagement ring. Men’s marriage are often made from tougher metals and typically don’t include stones.
History of Engagement Rings
Engagement rings have been around for a long time, dating back to ancient Rome. Originally, they were more about ownership than love, and were made from materials like flint, iron, and even bone. It wasn’t until 850 A.D. that Pope Nicholas I declared marriage as a sign of a man’s intent to marry, and gold became the preferred material. The tradition of diamond marriage started in 1947 when De Beers launched their famous “a diamond is forever” campaign, making diamonds the go-to choice for marriage ever since.
History of Wedding Rings
In ancient times, there wasn’t a distinction between engagement and wedding rings—they were essentially the same thing. It wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries that gimmel rings, which were interlocking rings worn by both partners during the engagement, became popular. They were later joined together as one ring during the wedding ceremony. Today, we continue this tradition with separate engagement and marriage.
Interestingly, men didn’t start wearing marriage until about 100 years ago. This became common during the World Wars when soldiers wanted a symbol of their marriage to remind them of their loved ones back home. Now, it’s common for both men and women to wear marriage.
What Is the Meaning Behind Both Rings?
Both engagement and wedding rings are symbols of love and commitment. The circular shape represents eternity, and the hole in the center symbolizes a doorway to the future. Giving someone a ring is a promise of endless love.
Engagement Rings
In the past, a man would give an marriage to his partner in exchange for her father’s approval. These rings were often a sign of the man’s wealth, which was important to the family. Today, engagement rings are more about the couple’s relationship than impressing anyone else. They symbolize the commitment between two people who are planning to get married.
Wedding Rings
While engagement rings are typically only worn by the person who was proposed to, marriage are worn by both partners. During the wedding ceremony, the couple exchanges rings as a symbol of their eternal love and commitment to each other. Wedding rings are meant to be worn throughout the marriage, serving as a constant reminder of the vows exchanged.
How to Wear Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Rings
There’s no strict rule for how to wear your rings, but traditionally, they’re worn on the left-hand ring finger, with the wedding ring closest to the heart and the engagement ring on top. Some people choose to wear the engagement ring on one hand and the wedding ring on the other. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you prefer to wear your rings.
Do I Need to Wear Both Rings?
The short answer is no, you don’t have to wear both rings. While many people like to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring, others find that one ring is enough. What matters most is that your rings reflect the love and commitment you share with your partner.
How Men and Women Traditionally Wear Their Rings
Traditionally, men are the ones who propose, so engagement rings are usually worn by women. The woman wears the engagement ring during the engagement to show her love and commitment to the man who proposed. During the wedding ceremony, a wedding band is added to symbolize their continued commitment. After the ceremony, both partners typically wear wedding rings.
When to Pick Out Wedding Bands vs. Engagement Rings
Engagement rings are usually picked out before the proposal, sometimes with the couple shopping together to ensure the ring is perfect. Even if you shop solo, it’s good to have an idea of your partner’s style before making a purchase.
Wedding bands are often chosen together after the engagement. Women’s wedding bands are sometimes sold as a set with the engagement ring so that they match perfectly. However, they can also be bought separately. Men’s wedding rings are usually purchased after the couple is engaged.
How Much Do Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings Cost?
Engagement rings tend to be more expensive because they’re often more elaborate. The average engagement ring costs over $5,000, while wedding bands average around $1,000. But don’t worry—there are rings available at every price point. At Diamond Ring Co., we have a wide selection of rings to fit any budget. Feel free to visit one of our showrooms or contact us, and we’ll help you find the perfect ring!
