By Gary A.
Edited by Brian M.
Published Aug 17, 2021
Edited on Oct 17, 2024
When comparing engagement rings vs wedding rings, it’s all about understanding how each one plays a unique role in your love story, from the proposal to the “I do.”
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The wedding ring and the engagement ring are pretty much two halves of the same love story, representing both the time before and the time after you make your vows. Each one is wrapped up in plenty of traditions – old traditions spanning thousands of years, and much more recent traditions, too.
For instance, did you know that, according to the GIA’s History of the Engagement Ring, these rings were first made of bone and flint? Or that wedding bands were once used as ‘proof’ of a financially-stable man?
It’s safe to say that times have changed, but not so much that these two rings have lost any of their significance for so many couples around the world. It doesn’t take a professional jeweler or a diamond buff to know that getting it right and choosing the perfect rings is an incredibly important part of any proposal and wedding.
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
Navigating the intricate world of bridal jewelry can be overwhelming, especially when trying to harmonize an engagement ring with a wedding ring. Here are essential tips to consider:
Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:
An engagement ring is typically given during a proposal, as a symbol of that couple’s intention to marry, whereas wedding rings are typically exchanged during the wedding ceremony itself, as a symbol of that couple’s eternal bond.
The exact meaning and use of both of these rings has evolved and changed, and there are plenty of differences around the world. In the US, we typically wear the wedding ring on the fourth of the left hand, with women also wearing their engagement ring on the same finger.
It is also tradition for brides to remove their engagement ring during the ceremony, and to replace it on the ‘correct’ finger after, so that the wedding ring can be worn closest to the heart.
Visually, these rings tend to be pretty different. Since the 1940s, engagement rings featuring one or more diamonds have represented the most popular choice, while the wedding band tends to be a little simpler.
Both tend to be cast from the same precious metal (or metals) – either gold or platinum or, to a slightly lesser extent, silver. Some couples choose to match their wedding rings together (this is known as a wedding set) while others prefer to choose differing designs that suit their unique styles.
According to tradition, wedding rings don’t replace engagement rings. These two rings hold entirely different meanings, and are most commonly worn side-by-side following the wedding ceremony.
Some brides may keep their engagement rings for special occasions, particularly if their job or lifestyle makes wearing the engagement ring 24/7 inconvenient, or too risky.
However, as we mentioned above, the wedding ring does usually replace the engagement ring’s position at the very base of the finger – although this is purely for symbolic reasons and, again, remains open to personal preference.
Generally speaking, the engagement ring will be considerably more expensive than the wedding ring. This does depend, however, on the design of each ring.
Diamonds are a pretty luxurious commodity for most of us, and since the diamond is almost always used within the engagement ring, this part of the bridal set will probably represent the biggest investment for you. Consider the fact that an engagement ring comprises one or more diamond, and a setting suitable for keeping those precious gemstones in place – this may be relatively simple, or a pretty ornate halo or pavé diamond setting – whereas a wedding band tends to be a little more understated.
A good diamond makes for a strong investment – and, of course, a beautiful engagement ring makes for a strong proposal – so most shoppers are keen to create a much more substantial budget for this ring. How much you spend on your wedding band depends on many different factors.
When it comes to customisation, many brides choose to add diamonds to their plain wedding band. The right online store will have wedding bands without diamonds and wedding bands that are beautifully complemented by added diamonds.
Many people like to think of the wedding ring’s circular design as a representation of their endless bond, but that’s not to say that has to go without any special design features. You might choose to draw inspiration from flush setting engagement rings, or to opt for a pavé design. Just be careful to make certain that your engagement and wedding bands can be worn comfortably together, or you may run into some trouble.
Alternatively, you might prefer to find a bridal set that perfectly echoes the design of the engagement ring within this second band. That way, you can be sure they’ll fit together like puzzle pieces when worn together on the finger.
Wedding rings do not have to match. In fact, it’s only in the last hundred or so years that the majority of American men started wearing a wedding ring – before then, these bands were typically only worn by the bride – so there’s no age-old rule stating the man and woman need to match.
They say opposites attract. We don’t know if that’s true, but, if it is, making it a rule that the bride and groom need to choose matching – or even complementary – bands would be pretty inconvenient.
In fact, browsing a trusted online store and finding something that suits your unique taste can be a great way of expressing your individuality. Remember – it’s going to be on your finger for many, many years to come, so you’ve got to enjoy wearing it.
The wedding ring and the engagement ring needn’t match, although some brides do choose to wear their engagement ring as a wedding ring.
This is a discussion that you and your bride-to-be can have further down the line, as you begin to prepare for the wedding itself. It’s important to remember that there are no rules, and that it all comes down to preference. The style of ceremony itself determines whether or not a marriage is legally binding – not the rings.
If you would prefer to wear one ring, then you could consider finding a twisted or split shank engagement ring on our online store. These two separate pieces could represent the two separate meanings held by the wedding and engagement ring, and offer the perfect compromise if you’d like to use your engagement ring as your wedding ring.
It is a special moment for any couple when the big day draws closer, and those months of deliberation over the engagement ring begin to seem pretty simple in the face of planning a wedding. If you’ve done your research on the engagement ring, then those long talks over the diamond, the setting, and the metal of your chosen engagement ring can be put to use once again, and you can be sure of the same high quality finish.
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