What Hand Does the Engagement Ring Go On?
The hand that the engagement ring goes on will not be as easy a query to reply as you may assume. The reply modifications relying on the nation. On this article, gemologist and jewellery professional Benjamin Khordipour G.D. will educate you the whole lot that you should learn about which hand has the engagement ring on it.
Learn our full checklist of nations for which hand does the engagement ring go on.
Which Hand Does the Engagement Ring Go On?

In america, and in most Western nations, the engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, generally referred to as the ring finger, after the proposal.
In the course of the precise wedding ceremony, it is vitally frequent for the engagement ring to be positioned briefly on the suitable hand, whereas protecting solely the marriage band on the left hand.
After the wedding ceremony, the engagement ring will rejoin the marriage ring on the left hand and fourth finger. See diagram above.
The first purpose that the rings are worn on the left hand is as a result of most individuals have a dominant (and energetic) proper hand. They, due to this fact, want to have the costly diamond ring on the hand that they use least.
Vital Notice: See under for the customs and traditions in different nations.
Can the Engagement Ring Go on the Proper Hand?

There are numerous nations and cultures that place the engagement ring on the fourth finger of the suitable hand. Among the extra well-known nations that do that are Russia, Ukraine, Spain and Germany.
It isn’t even all the time so easy as all people in the identical nation following the identical customized. Completely different religions inside a selected nation might select to do otherwise than the vast majority of their nation.
- For instance, in Russia, ladies normally put on the ring on their proper hand. Nonetheless, many alternative ethnic or spiritual cultures in Russia will put on it on the left hand.
- In Belgium it’s going to rely upon which area the couple lives or was born in.
- In China, the person will usually put on his ring on the left hand, with the girl carrying it on the suitable. This signifies the completely different duties every has within the relationship.
The purpose is that there are not any strong guidelines.
Should you stay in a rustic the place everybody wears their engagement ring on their left hand, however you like to put on it in your proper hand, go forward! To every, their very own.
Professional Tip: When you have any grandparents from one of many aforementioned nations, you may simply blame it on them!
Historical past of the Ring Finger

Though there’s some proof that engagement rings return to the traditional Egyptians, it was the Romans who’ve the credit score for bringing the custom to a lot of the civilized world.
The Romans believed that the ring finger of the left hand had a vein working by means of it, which had a direct connection to the guts. This connection, they claimed, finest portrays the love and dedication of their coronary heart.
Vital Notice: Though it has lengthy been confirmed that the veins within the ring finger have no direct connection to the guts, the customized has survived.
Moreover, the historic choice has all the time bent in the direction of a diamond ring for the proposal over different jewellery, like a necklace or bracelet. Some say that the proper circle of the engagement/wedding ceremony ring represents the completeness and concord of a really perfect relationship.
Record of the Hand for Engagement Ring Primarily based on Nation
As you will notice, the ring finger will drastically change primarily based on the nation. Right here’s our full checklist of nations and the overwhelming majority customized in every location. After all, there shall be areas and religions inside every nation that can range.
| Nation | Engagement Ring Hand |
|---|---|
| Australia | Left |
| Balearic Islands | Left |
| Bolivia | Left |
| Botswana | Left |
| Canada | Left |
| Catalonia | Left |
| Chile | Left |
| Croatia | Left |
| Czech Republic | Left |
| Egypt | Left |
| Finland | Left |
| France | Left |
| Eire | Left |
| Italy | Left |
| Mexico | Left |
| Netherlands | Left |
| New Zealand | Left |
| Portugal | Left |
| Romania | Left |
| Slovakia | Left |
| Slovenia | Left |
| South Africa | Left |
| Sweden | Left |
| Switzerland | Left |
| UK | Left |
| USA | Left |
| Valencia | Left |
| Austria | Proper |
| Belarus | Proper |
| Belgium | Proper |
| Bulgaria | Proper |
| Colombia | Proper |
| Cuba | Proper |
| Denmark | Proper |
| Georgia | Proper |
| Germany | Proper |
| Greece | Proper |
| Hungary | Proper |
| Latvia | Proper |
| Lithuania | Proper |
| North Macedonia | Proper |
| Norway | Proper |
| Peru | Proper |
| Poland | Proper |
| Russia | Proper |
| Serbia | Proper |
| Spain | Proper |
| Ukraine | Proper |
| Venezuela | Proper |
| Brazil (earlier than wedding ceremony) | Proper to Left |
| Lebanon (earlier than wedding ceremony) | Proper to Left |
| Romania (earlier than wedding ceremony) | Proper to Left |
| Syria (earlier than wedding ceremony) | Proper to Left |
| Turkey (earlier than wedding ceremony) | Proper to Left |
Within the nations listed on the finish, the engagement ring is historically worn on the suitable hand till the precise wedding ceremony day, when it’s moved to the left hand.
Which Hand Does the Ring Go on In the course of the Wedding ceremony Proposal?

When proposing for engagement, it’s customary to position the ring on the identical finger that she’s going to put on, particularly the fourth finger of the left hand.
Typically, because of the shock factor of most proposals, the ring gained’t correctly match. In that case, choose the index finger or the pinky till you may ask your jeweler to resize the ring.
Which Hand Does the Engagement Ring Go On In the course of the Wedding ceremony?

There are not any arduous and strong guidelines relating to the engagement ring’s location through the wedding ceremony. Every particular person ought to do what they’re snug with.
That being stated, let’s break down the 2 faculties of thought:
- Some brides want that the marriage ceremony is strictly in regards to the wedding ceremony rings. They need the exchanging of wedding ceremony rings to be the spotlight of the second and don’t need it to be overshadowed by the close by presence of the diamond engagement ring. For that purpose, they are going to place their engagement ring on the fourth finger of their proper hand all through the ceremony.
- Different brides aren’t so explicit and would slightly begin carrying their engagement ring as they all the time will. They may hold their engagement ring on the common fourth finger of their left hand all through the ceremony and never transfer it.
Some brides gained’t put on the engagement ring in any respect all through the marriage.
To every their very own.
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Which Hand Does the Wedding ceremony Ring Go On In the course of the Wedding ceremony?
The marriage band is positioned on the fourth finger of the left hand through the wedding ceremony ceremony. Within the nations the place the marriage ring is worn on the suitable hand, the groom will place it on the suitable hand through the ceremony.
It is very important be aware that if the bride leaves the engagement ring on her ring hand through the ceremony, her fiance will place her wedding ceremony ring on with out taking it off first. After the ceremony, she’s going to take away each rings, first putting the marriage band on her finger after which putting the engagement ring afterward.
Curiously, within the Jewish Faith, the groom will place the marriage ring on the index ring of the suitable hand. After the ceremony, she’s going to transfer the ring to the fourth finger of the left hand.
Altering Arms and Exceptions

It’s actually true that we stay in a society the place the idea of custom has turn out to be a lot looser than it as soon as was. We now assume nothing about breaking the seemingly everlasting guidelines of any given customized, together with the carrying of engagement rings and wedding ceremony bands.
Nice Thought. Some brides will transfer their diamond engagement ring onto their proper hand only for the marriage day, enabling the marriage band to be positioned on a “clear” finger. After the ceremony, the bride can transfer the engagement ring again to the left hand.
In Germany, the bride will put on the diamond ring on the left hand all through the engagement however will then switch it to the suitable hand after the marriage. That is an superior thought, and I’m undecided why it hasn’t unfold all through the world.
In brief, nobody has but set hard-and-fast guidelines relating to how and the place to put on an engagement ring. It is going to finally come right down to cultural or spiritual traditions, private choice, or a combination of all three issues.
Hold Studying
If you should know which hand the ring goes on, you’ll most likely additionally wish to study extra! Listed below are a few of our different associated articles.
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