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.