Engagement and wedding rings have become a popular culture in most parts of the world. Even people who aren’t usually enthusiastic about putting on jewelry wear these rings and see them as highly sentimental pieces of jewelry.
What Is An Engagement Ring?
Particularly in Western cultures, an engagement ring is a ring that signifies the wearer’s engagement in preparation for marriage. When a partner proposes marriage or after a marriage proposal is accepted, they give their future spouse a ring as an engagement gift. Engagement rings stand for a commitment to a future union.
Different sources attribute the invention of engagement rings to the Egyptians, Greeks, or Romans. Archduke Maximilian of Austria’s wedding proposal to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 is the earliest recorded use of diamond on an engagement ring.
In most Western countries, the ring is typically worn on the left hand’s ring finger. Still, other regions of the world have very different traditions.
What Is A Wedding Ring?
A wedding ring, sometimes known as a wedding band, is a ring that signifies that the wearer is married. While the present custom of exchanging rings at weddings has Christian roots, married couples in ancient Rome often wore them.
The fourth finger of the hand is known as the ring finger because that’s where people often wear their wedding rings. People used to believe that a special vein flowed from that finger to the heart; therefore, they wore their rings there. Most people wear their wedding rings on their left hand; however, some cultures allow people to wear them on their right if they are left-handed.
Wedding rings are usually plain, round rings without much design. Most people prefer their wedding rings to be made of gold; however, there are wedding rings of all types of metal.
Is A Wedding Ring More Important Than An Engagement Ring?
Wedding and engagement rings are very important symbols of a lasting commitment to someone you love. However, it’s hard to argue with the fact that a wedding ring is more important than an engagement ring.
There are parts of the world where people do not wear engagement rings, but they exchange wedding rings. Also, engagements do not have the same permanence as a wedding; therefore, ending an engagement is a less complicated process.
The fact that some people do not hold engagement rings in higher regard than wedding rings doesn’t mean they aren’t to be treasured. To the young couple that just got engaged, there’s nothing more important than the engagement ring that they share.
Do You Still Wear Your Engagement Ring When You Get Married?
In the past, couples’ engagement rings were blessed and worn during their betrothal ceremony. But now that engagements are more personal, one of the partners gives the other an engagement ring.
Just before the wedding ceremony, the couple removes their engagement ring so they can wear their wedding ring “close to the heart.” The newlywed can place the engagement ring on the wedding band after the ceremony.
Some people decide to always wear both rings. Some people, however, only wear their wedding band because maintaining an engagement ring might be more difficult. If you still want to wear your engagement ring, you can use it as a pendant for a necklace.
Do Men Wear Engagement Rings?
In most countries, it’s mostly women who wear engagement rings. However, some couples prefer to wear matching rings, which they can turn into their wedding rings in the future. Men’s engagement rings are occasionally referred to as “mangagement rings.”
There are no fixed rules on how a man is to wear an engagement ring. However, some men choose to wear theirs on their right ring finger, while others might even want to wear it as a necklace suspended from a chain.
Engagement Ring vs Wedding Ring Price
Engagement rings typically cost more than wedding bands or rings. The Knot’s 2019 Jewelry and Engagement Study found that the average cost of an engagement ring in 2019 was $5,900. That same study found that in 2019, the average price of a women’s wedding band was $1,100, and a man’s wedding band typically costs $510.
One reason engagement rings are more expensive is that most have precious stones attached to them, while wedding rings are mostly plain. The cost of your engagement ring would be considerably higher if a diamond is the gem on it. Therefore, if you want to cut down on the cost of your engagement ring, you should buy one with a cheaper gemstone.
Should You Wear Your Rings Every Day?
Many couples wear their wedding bands daily, leaving a noticeable mark on the wearer’s skin even after taking them off. Wearing your wedding rings every day is not a bad idea; many people see it as a way to show their commitment to their spouse as they go through their day. If you do a lot of manual labor, you should consider getting a ring made of a sturdy metal like tungsten.