As a recent fiancée, your mind is probably swirling with questions about all things related to married life. While we can’t tackle those big questions here, we can certainly knock off one nagging concern: How to properly rock an engagement or wedding ring.

Over the years, our clientele has asked us countless questions on how to properly wear their matrimonial bands. To make things easier we’ve consolidated the 10 most frequently asked questions in one place.

In this article, we demystify your most pressing questions when it comes to rocking the most important pieces of jewellery you’ll ever own. You can read this blog thoroughly from start to finish or simply jump around using the headers to find the answers to your queries. Let’s begin!

Which Finger Does a Matrimonial Ring Go On?

Sure, this may seem like the most obvious question in the world but we’d be remiss to skip it. Indeed, a wedding ring is typically worn on—you guessed it—the ring finger.

The ring finger occupies the real estate between the pinky and middle finger. Even though both hands have their very own ring finger, matrimonial bands typically adorn the one belonging to your left hand. This is the predominant practice in North America but can vary from country to country.

Are Engagement and Wedding Rings Worn the Same Way In Every Country?

There are several countries in which engagement rings and wedding rings are worn differently. Places as diverse as Greece, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Russia, India, Brazil, parts of Scandinavia adhere to their own traditions.

In India, the right hand is preferred for both engagement and wedding rings. This is because cultural norms deem the left hand to be “unclean”.

In Brazil, the engagement band is worn on the ring finger of the right hand, while the wedding band is appointed to the ring finger of the left hand. Still, in other countries like Germany and the Netherlands, the tradition is reversed: engagement bands go on the left ring finger, while wedding bands go on the right.

As you can see, there are no hard-and-fast rules for wearing an engagement or wedding ring. If you’re marrying someone from a unique cultural background, speak to them about their own traditions. This will help you to decide which finger best suits your relationship.

What’s the Significance of the Ring Finger?

Your so-called “ring finger” is more than just an arbitrary designation invented by a savvy jewellery company (looking at you, De Beers). In fact, the concept dates back to ancient times.

Among the Romans, it was believed that a particular vein known as the vena amoris—Latin for “vein of love”—bridged the ring finger to the heart. Since jewellery was already quite popular during this epoch, the newly christened ring finger took on a deeper meaning, becoming the finger of choice for symbols of commitment.

While modern science has proved that the vena amoris most certainly does not exist, this hasn’t stopped the unique and beautiful Roman tradition from perpetuating across time and space.

Can I Wear My Wedding Ring On a Different Finger?

Besides cultural traditions, there are personally symbolic reasons to wear your wedding band on a different hand or finger. LGBTQ+ couples will often subvert heterosexual norms by sporting their matrimonial gems on the right, rather than the left, hand. Keep in mind, however, that this decision is entirely yours.

There are also practical reasons for using a different finger. For example, wedded folks who work with their hands often wear their ring(s) on a chain around their neck. This minimises the risk of slippage or damage.

Alternatively, you can opt to wear a simple ring as a symbolic placeholder for your more extravagant bands, reserving the latter for special occasions.

Can I Wear Non-Matrimonial Rings on My Ring Finger?

Beyond culture and tradition, there’s no universal law that prevents you from dressing up your ring finger in any way you’d like.

Be advised, however, that you will have some occasional explaining to do among curious strangers—especially if you’re wearing stacked bands or fine gemstones.

If possible, delegate your jewellery to the ring finger of your right hand to avoid any confusion.

How Are Engagement Rings Different From Wedding Rings?

Everyone knows that an engagement ring represents a marriage commitment, while a wedding ring is the lifelong symbol of your officiated vows. But what other differences exist between them?

For one thing, engagement rings are known for being more opulent by design and therefore more expensive—often substantially so.

What’s more, engagement rings are often only worn by only one partner, typically the woman who was proposed to. In contrast, wedding bands are worn by both partners. It should be noted, however, that the former tradition has become increasingly flexible, which we discuss in question 8.

Lastly, wearing both rings generally follows a certain placement—or stacking—order. Let’s turn our attention to this concept now.

Can I Wear My Engagement Ring and Wedding Band Together?

The answer is absolutely! Wearing your engagement and wedding rings together is a very common practice. Also known as “stacking”, many couples explicitly choose stackable rings.

Keep in mind that a good stack should not only fit well together but look great. In other words, the more ornate engagement ring should complement the more modest wedding ring.

As for placement, the romantic line of reasoning is as follows: The wedding ring should be worn first and therefore closest to the heart. A more pragmatic approach would be to wear the engagement ring first, allowing you to secure it in place with the less expensive wedding band.

Can Men Wear Engagement Rings?

Men have not historically worn engagement rings in Western culture. This was in part due to the fact that the proposal was traditionally orchestrated by the men. Upon saying “yes”, the woman would accept the ring as a token of mutual commitment.

But things have changed: Women have increasingly begun proposing to men, while other couples plan their engagements together—eschewing the proposal altogether. Heck, even couples who follow the traditional proposal blueprint will eventually choose to get the man his own engagement ring.

This last trend has been gaining popularity among celebrities, including Michael Bublé, David Otuna, Skylar Astin, and Ed Sheeran to name but a few.

But the question remains: should men wear engagement rings? Ed Sheeran said it best: When asked about this in an interview, he replied, “I never saw why men didn’t wear engagement rings. It’s the same commitment either way.”

Which Finger Do Men Wear Their Wedding Ring On

Men most often wear their wedding ring on the same ring finger as their spouse. In North American culture, this is the left hand. In other cultures, it would be on the right.

Of course, there are exceptions. We’ve met many couples who wear their rings on different hands from one another. This is often because one partner is left-handed; by wearing it on their right hand, it’s less likely to get in the way or become scratched during routine activities.

Why Should I Wear an Engagement or Wedding Ring?

Ah—the question at the heart of the matter: Why wear an engagement or wedding ring at all? Beginning in ancient Egypt some 6,000 years ago, rings became the de facto symbol of romantic commitment.

The ring’s circular shape perfectly encapsulated concepts of wholeness, unity, and eternity. As the only shape with no clear beginning or end, it became a profound symbol of the love you share with another person.

But, at the end of the day, that’s exactly what it is—a symbol. Anything can serve as the symbol for your eternal commitment. Some people simply adopt other forms of jewellery, like when Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor with a Bulgari engagement brooch.

Today, tattoos along the base of the ring finger have become another popular alternative to wedding bands. If you ask us, however, nothing beats the inherent poetry and timelessness of a ring… but to each their own!

Find the Perfect Fit and Style for Your Rings, With Majesty Diamonds

When it comes right down to it the way you rock your engagement or wedding ring is entirely up to you. And now that you know all the rules of the game, feel free to start breaking them to let your own aesthetic preferences radiate through.

Still have questions on how to properly wear an engagement or wedding ring? Don’t hesitate to contact us directly for a chat or to book an in-person appointment. In the meantime, check out our robust and curated online collection.