If you’re not familiar with the world of jewelry, you may be confused by the terms: engagement ring, wedding ring, and wedding band. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, leading us to the question: are they all the same? The short answer is no. And yes, in some ways.
Engagement rings are given when the intent is to marry. There’s no set time on how long you should be engaged before the ceremony. Wedding rings are given during the wedding ceremony. For years, wedding rings were the only rings given. Engagement rings, also known as betrothal rings, weren’t given until much later.
The act of exchanging rings dates back to ancient times. Ancient Egyptians were the first to use rings to represent eternity, but it was more of a spiritual representation of their gods than for marriage. They believed the open circle within the ring was a gateway to the unknown.
It was the Ancient Greeks that first used rings as a representation of love. Many of their rings featured Eros or Cupid, the god of love. The Romans also incorporated the tradition into their own ceremonies, though it was more ownership than love.
Ancient Egyptians believed that the fourth finger on the left hand had a vein connected to the heart. This led to the Romans adopting the same positioning of their wedding rings, even though it wasn’t true.
Some cultures do not wear their wedding rings on their left hand, but on the right instead. China and Japan don’t traditionally wear rings either. If they do, there’s no tradition as to which hand they wear it on.
The first engagement ring was given by Pope Nicholas I in 850 AD. At this point, most wedding bands and engagement rings were crafted in gold to signify the financial commitment. It did not have the center stone mounted on a setting like we see today.
It wasn’t until 1477 when the first diamond engagement ring emerged, presented by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy. While this engagement ring had diamonds, it still wasn’t the traditional diamond center stone we see today. Instead, the Archduke had small diamonds arranged in the shape of an M on a gold band.
The most popular diamond engagement ring setting is the classic solitaire. The solitaire is a top choice that features a singular diamond on top of a clean shank. Solitaire engagement rings have more variations now, such as twisted bands, hidden accents, and added textures, but still one central diamond.
Halo engagement rings are another popular ring setting. These feature a ring of smaller diamonds outlining the center diamond. Halo settings may be done with any diamond shape, but are most often done with round diamonds.
Pave diamond settings have small diamonds set closely together on the band. Pave is French for “paved road”, which is exactly how the small diamonds look without metal separating them in the setting. Pave styles can differ such as scalloped pave, micropave, and French pave.
Both wedding rings and wedding bands are rings exchanged during a marriage ceremony. The terms “wedding ring” and “wedding band” can be used interchangeably as they can be the same thing.
A wedding band is generally used to refer to wedding rings with wider bands. The average width of an engagement ring lies around 2.5mm. Men’s wedding bands usually start at 4mm and go up to 8mm. The term wedding band often refers to wedding rings without stones, like a polished gold band.
On the other hand, one might refer to their ring jacket as a wedding ring rather than a wedding band. Ring jackets allow you to put your engagement ring in the center of it, making it look like there is a wedding ring on both sides.
It doesn’t matter which term you use for the ring, but they are rings exchanged during a wedding ceremony.
Many people who purchase engagement rings often buy it as part of a bridal set. The engagement ring usually has a matching wedding band that fits snugly against the engagement ring. Buying bridal sets is advised when you choose an engagement ring with specific design shape, like an infinity style band or another wavy setting.
Many women enjoy their engagement ring and wedding rings to sit flush side by side with each other. And the style of engagement rings that do not have a straight band are more challenging to find a wedding band that will sit flush. This is where buying a bridal set can be beneficial because the wedding band was design specifically for the engagement ring to sit side by side comfortably and beautifully.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding wedding rings and engagement rings.
Typically, the bride wears her engagement ring down the aisle. When it is time to exchange the wedding rings, she may temporarily remove it to put the wedding band on. It is said that the wedding ring should be worn closest to the heart, with the engagement ring on top.
Some women keep their engagement ring on the left hand until the exchanging of the wedding rings, while others may have it on their right hand the entire ceremony, leaving the left fourth finger for the wedding ring. Some people have even been known to just slide the wedding ring on top so they don’t have to move the engagement ring at all. How you decide to wear your rings is up to you.
Keeping your engagement ring and wedding band sparkling requires regular care and attention. Start by creating a gentle cleaning solution using warm water and mild dish soap.
Let your rings soak in this solution for about 20 to 30 minutes to loosen any dirt. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or jewelry brush, gently scrub the rings, paying close attention to intricate areas and underneath the stones.
After scrubbing, rinse the rings thoroughly under warm running water to remove any soap residue. It’s important to dry them completely afterward; use a clean, lint-free cloth to pat them dry gently. Avoid using tissues or paper towels, as they can leave behind fibers or scratch the metal.
For a deeper clean and inspection, consider visiting a jeweler every six months to a year. They have specialized equipment to polish and clean your rings professionally, as well as check for loose stones or damaged settings.
Additionally, store your rings in a soft pouch or jewelry box when not wearing them to prevent scratches and damage. With regular care and maintenance, your rings will continue to shine as brightly as your love for each other.
Most engagement rings and wedding bands can be resized, but certain styles can’t be resized without compromising the details of the ring. For example, a ring with etched ornate details around the entire band probably would not be able to be resized. A repair shop isn’t usually able to replicate a ring design unless they designed the ring.
Eternity bands are another type of ring that can’t be resized. Eternity bands are often found with wedding rings, but there are eternity engagement rings out there too. Eternity rings are rings with diamonds that go all the way around the band. Instead of resizing, these types of rings have to be ordered in the correct size.
It is best to only size your ring up or down 1-2 sizes. It is recommended to resize only when necessary, not as much as you want. Too many resizings can compromise the composition of the precious metal used to create your ring.
It is up to you to decide if you would like to follow the tradition of wearing both an engagement ring and a wedding band. Some people may use their engagement ring as a wedding ring and re-exchange it during the ceremony
Others prefer to only wear wedding bands on their fingers. Many jobs don’t allow you to wear high-set engagement rings, such as working in the medical field. Many nurses, doctors, and caregivers opt to wear flat wedding bands without stones for that reason.
Wedding rings and engagement rings have been a tradition for many years, but modern times state that you should wear what you want and what works for your budget.