Im not married but...

[sparkypunkette]

I was just wondering how engagement rings/wedding rings work. Is the ring presented at the proposal a separate ring from the wedding ring. Or does it just have the real wedding ring diamond on a smaller band. I just dont get the process i guess, plus my boyfriend always wonders too. Any comments could be helpful! thanks!

 

[Svt4Him]

Yes, it was a seperate ring, but my wife got the wedding ring and engagement ring soldered together, so it's best to make sure they look good together.

 

[Andry]

I guess you're asking in the 'western' context. I don't think there is a 'process' per se.

Traditionally, in this western context (read: North America and most western European countries), the engagement ring is seperate from the wedding band. After marriage, you are allowed to wear both rings on your ring finger.

There are some engagement ring and wedding ring matching sets, so that when you have both on, they will / can attach together. But this takes more foresight and more work for the guy - as the girl may not 'like' his chosen design.

Also, an engagement ring does not have to be part of the proposal. Some women like to pick out their own (like my wife did), some men are not confident enough to choose a design of their own, and some men don't know their girlfriend/fiancee's ring size without arousing suspicion.

Hope this helps.

 

[90qzrblu]

Usually, if you're getting a diamond ring, the main stone is on the engagement ring. It's also common, if money is a concern, to just have a single, plain gold band. It doesn't have to be 2 rings. Also, don't buy into the "2 months salary" guideline nonsense. That's just the jewelers trying to guilt you into giving them more money.

 

[desi]

This is a rip off most guys should know about. I bought a nice ring, for an 18 year old just out of high school enlisting in the Marine Corps, with a decent sized diamond which I proposed with. After she said yes I learned I had to buy more ring to make what I had already bought her bigger! I wasn't pleased but I did it.

 

[JillLars]

I picked out my engagement ring (sort of), My fiance and I looked and I pointed out the kind I liked. It is yellow gold with 3 diamonds (3/4 carat total weight), and it has a wedding band that goes with it that has like 8 small diamonds in it.

Traditionally (at least what I think is traditional) the rings are seperate until the wedding day (not neccessarily purchased seperately, just not worn together until the wedding day). On the wedding day, one can either put the rings on seperately or have them soldered together to put them on. The wedding ring goes on first so it is closest to the heart, and the engagement ring serves as a guard.

 

[charligirl]

Western tradition says that you propose with a ring which usually has a diamond(s) or a gemstone/diamonds. When you get married you have a wedding band which is usually plain which sits next to your engagement ring (so you have to make sure they fit together). You put the wedding band on first and the engagement ring second.

There is another tradition that says after 7 years or first child (whichever is soonest) you can add an eternity ring which is usually a band studded with gemstones/diamonds all the way or half the way around... not sure many people follow this traditoin though!

 

[pegatha]

I met my husband when I lived in Germany, where engagement rings are not part of the tradition. Before you get married, you wear the wedding ring on the left hand, and then move it to the right hand after you're married. My husband & I bought a German ring set (no engagement ring); however, we wear them American-style, on our left hands.