The ring finger of the left hand symbolises the direct path to the heart of a beloved partner. In Germany and in most other countries the engagement ring is therefore worn on the left hand. After the wedding ceremony the engagement ring can be changed to the ring finger on the right hand and can then worn in front of the wedding ring.
Of course, there are no rules for wearing engagement rings. Whatever hand the woman prefers to wear the engagement ring – as a symbol of love it is valid on both hands!
For the ancient Egyptians and Romans, the left ring finger had a special meaning. The Greeks, who were the first to give engagement rings, also wore the ring on their left ring finger. At that time people believed that a vein led from the left ring finger to the heart - the "Vena Amoris". The engagement ring on the left ring finger has kept its symbolic meaning until today: a direct connection to the heart, the place of all feelings of love.
In Germany and Austria, it is common for a woman to wear the engagement ring on the ring finger of the left hand. The wedding ring is meant to be worn on the right hand. But which hand is the engagement ring worn on in Switzerland?
Although Switzerland is very close geographically to Germany and Austria, this Alpine country has its own rules. In Switzerland and some of the southern European countries, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand, the wedding ring on the left hand.
| Country | Engagement ring | Engagement & wedding ring |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | left | right |
| Bulgaria | left | right |
| Germany | left | right |
| Italy | right | left |
| Croatia | right | left |
| Cyprus | right | left |
| Great Britain | left | left |
| Netherlands | right | left |
| Norway | left | right |
| Poland | left | right |
| Portugal | right | left |
| Russia | left | right |
| Switzerland | right | left |
| Spain | right | left |
| Turkey | left | right |
| Ukraine | left | right |
| USA | left | left |
As women usually develop a strong love for their engagement ring and do not want to stop wearing it, the engagement ring can of course still be worn on the left hand after the wedding ceremony and the wedding ring on the right.
However, it is much nicer to wear the engagement ring after the wedding in front of the wedding ring. Some engagement rings are difficult to combine with a wedding ring. Some jewellery manufacturers have recognised this problem and manufacture wedding rings to match the engagement ring.
For many of our engagement ring models we offer perfectly matching wedding rings. These models perfectly harmonise with the corresponding engagement ring, both in the shape of the ring band and in the colour of the precious metal.
If you would like to know whether there are wedding rings that match your engagement ring perfectly, just give us a call: + 44 20 380 832 99. Or take a look at how easy it is to design your wedding rings yourself right now.
It is common for women in Europe to wear their engagement ring on their left hand. The romantic explanation: The ring finger of the left hand is connected to our beloved's heart.
After the wedding ceremony, your engagement ring can be moved to the right hand and is then worn in front of the wedding ring.
Yes, an engagement ring can be worn on the right hand. There are no rules for where an engagement ring should be worn. If a woman prefers to wear the engagement ring on her right hand that is perfect too. At the end of the day, the engagement ring is a symbol of love whichever hand it is worn on.
A ring on the left hand can mean that the person is engaged. A ring on the ring finger of the right hand usually means that the person is married.
However, there are women who like to wear their rings wherever they want and do not respect these conventions.
In England for example, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Wedding rings are also usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand.
In ancient times, Greeks and Romans believed that the ring finger had a vein with a direct connection to the heart. It was called "Vena Amoris" (love vein). Even today, wearing an engagement ring on the left ring finger dates back to this myth.
In England for example, engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Even after the wedding, an engagement ring is often worn on the left hand alongside a wedding ring.
