Engagement Ring Rules - Is there any Golden Rule? (2024)

Engagement Ring Rules - Breaking rules require being aware of those.

An engagement ring is not just a piece of jewelry, it embodies a couple's relationship. So, it should be looked upon accordingly, to honor the commitment it is the symbol of, and to revere it forever.

In this article, you can make yourself aware of rules of engagement ring for:

• Buying
• Wearing
• Guys
• Post breakup

Rules for Buying an Engagement Ring

Traditional belief (especially in western countries) is that agroom-to-be must spend his 1-3 months' salary on engagement ring. Butlet me tell you, this is all nonsense!

I am sure you would beintelligent enough to understand the reason behind this marketinggimmick. There is nothing wrong in buying an expensive engagement ring,but it should not be at the cost of hurting your finances.

If yourlady is of a romantic breed, then she may expect you to follow theusual tradition of gifting engagement ring to fiancee. However, nowadaysI have seen many women with view that there is nothing wrong in sharingthe cost of engagement ring with their men.

I see this as a verypractical and far-sighted viewpoint, which can help in forming afoundation for a healthy financial future.

Besides price ofengagement ring, you must also consider the taste, style and personalityof your fiancee. This becomes important if you want to add an elementof surprise by gifting her a prized token of love, without even a hintof what you are planning for her. Give an equal importance to ring sizeand quality of stone. For more, you may read how to buy an engagement ring.

Rules for Wearing an Engagement Ring

Well,there are no fixed rules to wear an engagement ring. Ultimately, itboils down to personal preference of wearer. However, it may not be abad idea to be aware of traditional ways of wearing an engagement ringbefore, during and after the wedding.

Most couples feel engagementis not "official" without a ring, and until the woman is wearing itregularly. On the other hand, for some couples wedding band is must andsufficient as acknowledgement of marriage.

If you arerecently-engaged and soon getting wed, you should have a knowledge ofhow to wear both - engagement ring and wedding band. Wearing in a rightfashion will serve to inform the public of your marital status.

Beforemarriage, you can wear your engagement ring on the ring finger of yourleft hand. During the wedding ceremony, you can take out the engagementring from left hand and place it on ring finger of right hand, and getyour wedding band placed on ring finger of left hand.

Engagement Ring Rules for Guys

Maleengagement rings are yet to catch up the trend (or even take-off). A2011 XO Group survey found that only 5% of men currently wear anengagement ring. However, there is no denying for men to have engagementring for them as well, after all gender equality is the buzzword ofmodern times. Why should only one get a ring!

A male engagementring is "usually something tasteful without being super-ornate" saysSusan Hayes, president of Los Angeles–based antiqueJewelryMall.com.Unlike women's jewelry, a male engagement ring is not about drawingattention. With a simple look, men's engagement rings are often madewith tougher metals to be more durable.

Where is it worn? H.Samueladvises "first on the ring finger of the left hand and then transferredto the ring finger of the right hand for the wedding and happily everafter." D&H’s Shawn Higgins generally recommends stacking it withthe wedding ring. "It’s kind of up to us," he says.

Engagement Ring Rules after Breakup

Unlikea contractual agreement, ring is just a symbol, and there is noobligation on its recipient to return it back. This is because there isno legal binding on the gift to be returned back. However, the generalrule is, if the woman breaks the engagement, then he gets the ring back(if he wants it back), and if it's the man behind break-up, then thelady may keep it (if she want to retain it).

Ideally speaking,etiquette-wise woman should offer to return the ring after the brokenengagement, while the man is free to politely refuse to take it back.It's all about how mature both are, and what type of mutual relationshipthey wish to have in future.

In case of mutual breakup, best isto take an amicable decision on ring's ownership. In this scenario, thering can be sold and final proceed can be shared between both. In myopinion selling is the best option, after all there is no point carryingthe baggage of a broken relationship and not letting oneself move on.

Finally,let me tell you, there are no written engagement ring rules, and oftenit's a subjective choice of how to buy, how to wear, what should be doneafter break-up etc. Having said that, there are always good practicesand ways to do certain things, following which will never be "injuriousfor health"!

Return from Engagement Ring Rules to Engagement Rings Articles page

Return from Engagement Ring Rules to Diamond Jewelry Homepage