Wedding Ring And Engagement Ring: Similarities And Differences

Bands have been well acknowledged in betrothals and marriages since ancient times. In fact, it would be difficult to imagine completing engagement and wedding ceremonies without any band to attest that such events really happened. Due to their enduring presence, the use and purpose of wedding ring and engagement ring are often confounded with each other. However, it should be understood that while both these jewelry pieces are worn by women, they greatly differ from each other in many aspects.

In order to understand the difference between the wedding ring and engagement ring, let's start to look at their individual purposes. To simply put it, an engagement ring is given by the man to the woman prior to their marriage in order to signify that they are bound to be married. Wedding bands on the other hand, are exchanged by the couple on their wedding day to seal their wedding vows and signify that the wearers are united as husband and wife. After the ceremony and the years of their marriage, both the bands are worn by the woman on her left finger, while the man only wears the wedding ring since men are not accustomed to wear an engagement band.

Between wedding and engagement bands, many couples prefer investing on engagement bands. As a matter of fact, an engagement ring is probably the ring that captures more attention than the wedding ring, which is appropriate as it symbolizes the silent announcement of the engaged status of the couple. Traditionally, betrothal bands have prominent center stones, most of which are made from fine diamond jewelry. At the moment however, couples need not to buy engagement bands that are accentuated with diamond stones, rather as a less expensive option they could use other precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, opal, etc., as the center stone of the engagement ring.

Meanwhile, wedding ring is far from the grandiosity that engagement ring usually exemplify as it is often plain in finish and does not have any accents, or sometimes it is designed after the engagement ring but is a simpler version of the first. However, the design of the wedding bands is always dependent on the couple's choice; there are couples who also use fine diamond jewelry for their wedding bands, though this is not always the case as the plain finish of such band represents the sanctity of marriage. Traditionally, both wedding and engagement bands are worn on the left finger between the index and pinkie fingers because according to belief the said finger on the left hand has the vein that is directly connected to the heart which is called as vena amori. But, this is not always the case as there are cultures that place their wedding and engagement bands on the right hand.

Usually, wedding and engagement bands are purchased separately. It is also possible that they can be bought as a set, which is why some wedding bands are equally grandiose to their engagement counterparts. If you would be purchasing these bands separately, always try to consider that you would be using them on a daily basis, so when you are to pick each piece select the shape of the gemstone that would complement your lifestyle. A diamond may be hard in nature, but it can chip off or break overtime especially if it has pointed edges; in this case it would be more preferable to choose a round brilliant cut as it could last longer.

In general, wedding ring and engagement ring are two important jewelry pieces that symbolizes two of the most important stages in the relationship of couples""engagement and marriage. They have profound differences when it comes to function and design. Setting aside their differences though, what is apparent is that they share the same concept of undying love and commitment, apparently shown from their round shape that has no beginning and no end as well as the materials used to develop them. They also function as material seals that strengthen their vows and the symbolic meaning and sentimentality of the couple's devotion for each other.

Wedding ring and engagement ring are important fixtures in the relationship of couples. An engagement ring is an indication of the engaged status of couple. It is usually more expensive than the wedding ring as it is commonly made from fine diamond jewelry with round brilliant cut and side gemstones. Wedding bands on the other hand are exchanged by couples during the wedding ceremony to seal their marital vows and are simple in design and finish.

-Lorraine Jacobs