Where Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring?

Does your hand feel heavy? Does a glimmer of sparkle catch your eye with every subtle arm movement? All normal side effects from rocking a stunning, new engagement ring! Now that you have the bling, where will you wear your new bauble? Where does the engagement ring go, traditionally? Let’s discuss some best practices for when and where to show off your gorgeous ring! Plus, we’ll drop in a few fun, historical details for some added flair. 

Engagement Ring History 

Talk about an Eras Tour – engagement rings have been around for a LONG time! The list is long, but we’ll name a few places where we’ve seen strong ring evidence throughout history. 

• Ancient Rome! During this time, a ring (usually made of iron) was slipped onto a future bride’s finger while the couple observed the mandatory waiting period before getting married. 

• 16th century England! Here, posey rings started to pop up throughout the country. These versions of engagement rings were engraved with romantic poems or phrases [side note: DRD loves adding engravings!]. 

• Georgian and Victorian Eras! In these eras, acrostic rings became popular and took things to the next level as words or messages were spelled with glistening gemstones!  

The Engagement Ring Finger & Cultural Variations

So, which hand does the engagement ring go on? Traditionally, the engagement ring is worn on your left ring finger or fourth finger. With that said, there are many exceptions ranging from personal style to cultural beliefs and traditions! Most people stack their wedding band with their engagement ring on their left-hand ring finger. However, in these modern times, anything goes! Wearing your engagement ring on your right hand and your wedding band on your left hand wedding ring finger has been gaining popularity lately! Balancing the roles of an Engagement Ring vs. Wedding Band is key to creating a set that reflects your love story.

It’s said that the tradition of wearing your ring on the ring finger of your left hand dates back to the Romans. People in ancient Egypt believed that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran straight to the heart and was found on the left ring finger. Therefore, wearing the ring on that finger during the wedding ceremony symbolizes a direct pathway to your lover’s heart! 

Some cultures around the world wear their engagement rings on their right hand because the left hand is considered to be unclean. 

Many Orthodox Christians wear engagement rings on their right hand because the Latin word sinister means "on the left side," therefore giving the left hand a negative connotation. 

Where To Wear Your Engagement Ring Before Your Wedding

Our answer is: most of the time, wear your ring proudly, everywhere, every day! 

However, there are some exceptions to that statement. Our biggest piece of advice to brides is to always take your ring off when you: apply lotion, wash hands, sleep, workout, swim and shower. While diamonds and metal are very durable, for the longevity of your ring and to ensure you have minimal issues, it’s really best to avoid wearing your ring while doing these things. 

Where To Wear Your Engagement Ring On Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, your engagement ring should have a special place in your bridal set. Traditionally, couples opt to wear the wedding ring closest to the heart on the left hand ring finger, with the engagement ring on top. If you’re wondering where the engagement ring goes during the ceremony, many brides will temporarily move it to the right hand ring finger or a different finger. This ensures the wedding ring is first on the left hand ring finger during the exchange of vows, as per tradition. After the ceremony, simply slide your engagement ring back over the wedding band to complete your wedding ring set.

Where To Wear Your Engagement Ring After Your Wedding Day

After the wedding day, your engagement ring becomes a cherished part of your everyday jewelry. How you choose to wear it can reflect both tradition and personal style. Here are a few options for ring placement after your big day:

• Traditional: Wear your wedding ring closest to your heart on the left hand ring finger, with your engagement ring on top. This is the classic way to wear your bridal set.
• Reversed: Place your engagement ring first on the left hand ring finger, followed by your wedding ring. This option can highlight the diamond engagement ring as the centerpiece.
• Stacked with Eternity Rings: Add one or more eternity rings to your set, creating a stacked look that adds extra sparkle and personalization.
• Right Hand Ring Finger: If you prefer, you can move your engagement ring to the right ring finger, either alone or with other rings, for a unique twist on tradition.
• Different Finger: Some choose to wear their engagement ring on a different finger altogether, allowing for more flexibility and comfort in everyday wear.

Cleaning and Maintenance

We recommend bringing your ring to a reputable jeweler for a yearly deep clean and inspection.

If you would like to clean your ring at home, it’s actually quite easy, and you do not need any fancy machines or cleaners. It’s as simple as soaking your ring in a bowl of warm water with Dawn dish soap and then using a soft bristle toothbrush (which has to be soft so that the metal doesn’t get scratched) to further remove the dirt from the ring. Finally, dip your ring in clean water to rinse off any remaining residue, et voilà - you’ve got a clean ring! 

If you’re looking for something slightly stronger than soap, try the DRD Jewelry Cleaner along with a soft toothbrush to move the dirt away. 

Comfort and Personal Preference

Simple, solid advice: choose a ring that feels comfortable on your finger and one that will match your lifestyle. If you’re super active, maybe go with something like an eternity diamond ring. If you’re into a statement piece, maybe you’ll lean towards a diamond solitaire. 

No matter what, it’s important that your ring fits comfortably! Plus, no one likes a [finger] muffin top! Simply put: ring size matters. Whether you’re debating between a classic solitaire vs halo engagement ring design, your choice should resonate with your personal style.

We are always happy to measure your ring fingers in our showroom. However, if you’d like to measure your ring size at home, try out our ring sizer kit!

Although we’ve given our advice/opinion on where and when we think you should wear your engagement ring, we support you no matter where you choose to rock your ring! We really can’t get enough of gold and diamond engagement rings – they’re appropriate for all occasions and look stunning paired with a wedding dress, jeans and a t-shirt!