Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Rings: Know the Difference

You’ve probably heard of both engagement rings and wedding rings and may have heard these words used interchangeably, but are they the same thing? What’s the difference between engagement rings and wedding rings? Do you really need both? Is one more important than the other?

The difference between engagement rings and wedding rings is when they are used. Engagement rings are given at the time of engagement, while wedding rings are exchanged between partners during a wedding ceremony. While both rings symbolize commitment between two people, they have different meanings.

What Is an Engagement Ring?

An engagement ring is worn by someone to indicate that they are going to get married. When a person is ready to propose to their significant other, they usually buy an engagement ring to offer as a sign of their love and desire to be married. A person wears their engagement ring throughout their engagement and often after they are married. They are traditionally only worn by the person who was proposed to. Engagement rings are typically made of metal and have a diamond on top. They may have other diamonds or gemstones as well, but the diamond on top is often the highlight of the ring. 

What Is a Wedding Ring?

A wedding ring, sometimes called a wedding band, is given on the wedding day as a symbol of matrimony. Wedding rings are traditionally worn by both partners for the entirety of their marriage. For those with engagement rings, the wedding band is usually worn in addition to the engagement ring. Wedding bands are typically metal bands that aren’t as flashy as the engagement ring, as they don’t often include diamonds. If diamonds or other gemstones are included, they are much smaller and are not intended to outshine the engagement ring. Men’s wedding rings are often made of tougher metals and don’t contain any stones. 

History of Engagement Rings

Engagement rings can be traced back to ancient Rome where they were actually used as a mark of ownership rather than a symbol of love. While it is now common to see engagement rings with diamonds or other gemstones, engagement rings were actually originally made out of flint, iron, ivory, copper, and sometimes even bone, and contained no gemstones. In 850 A.D., engagement rings were given an official meaning by Pope Nicholas I, who claimed that an engagement ring was a man’s intent to marry. At this time, gold became the most popular metal for rings. 

Diamonds finally made their debut in 1947 when the diamond mining company De Beers launched an advertising campaign coining the phrase, “a diamond is forever.” Diamond sales skyrocketed shortly after the launch and have been a staple of engagement rings ever since. 

History of Wedding Rings

In ancient times, engagement rings and wedding rings were actually the same, and there weren’t two separate bands. In the 16th and 17th centuries, gimmel rings gained popularity. These rings were made from multiple interlocking rings that could be separated into individual rings. They were often used as engagement rings and both partners would wear one of the rings throughout their engagement. At the wedding ceremony, they would be rejoined and placed on the bride’s finger. Today we see an updated version of this tradition, with an engagement ring given at the time of engagement and a wedding band added at the wedding ceremony. 

Up until roughly 100 years ago, only women wore wedding rings. Men began wearing wedding rings after the two World Wars. Soldiers who were going off to battle wanted to wear something that would remind them of their bride waiting for them back home. Because of this, it is now standard for both men and women to wear wedding rings.

What Is the Meaning Behind Both Rings?

Both engagement rings and wedding rings represent a commitment of love between two people. The circular shape of both rings is intended to symbolize eternity, while the hole through the ring represents a doorway leading to future events. Giving someone a ring shows a commitment to eternal love. 

Engagement Rings

In earlier days, a man would ask for his partner’s hand in marriage and give her an expensive engagement ring in exchange for her father’s approval. Over time, these rings became more extravagant as they represented a man’s wealth, which was important to both the woman and her family. Nowadays, engagement rings are intended more for the couple getting married and less for the family. They represent a commitment to marriage between two people. 

Wedding Rings

While engagement rings are typically only worn by the person proposed to, wedding rings are more often worn by both partners. During the wedding ceremony, both partners say their vows to each other while exchanging wedding rings. They are worn to symbolize the eternal love between both partners and the commitment they made to each other. Wedding rings are intended to be worn for the entirety of the marriage to show continual commitment. 

How to Wear Engagement Rings vs. Wedding Rings

There are no set rules about how to wear engagement rings or wedding rings but they are traditionally worn on the left-hand ring finger with the wedding ring closest to the heart, and the engagement ring stacked on top of it. However, some people choose to wear their engagement ring on their left hand and their wedding ring on their right hand. There is no right or wrong way to wear your wedding and engagement rings. 

Do I Need to Wear Both Rings?

The short answer to this question is no, you don’t need to wear both rings. While the combination of engagement rings and wedding rings is a common tradition, many people choose not to even have wedding rings because they decide that the engagement ring is all they need. Engagement and wedding rings are intended to be special symbols of love between you and your partner and ultimately, you get to decide what that means for you. 

Wearing the Different Rings for Men and Women

Because men are typically the ones to propose, engagement rings are usually worn by women and not by men. In these instances, a man gives a woman an engagement ring to symbolize his love and commitment to her. If the woman agrees to be married, she wears the ring throughout the engagement to symbolize the love she has for him, and her desire to be married. A wedding band is often added at the wedding ceremony to show continued commitment. Both men and women typically wear wedding rings after the wedding ceremony. 

When to Pick Out Wedding Bands vs. Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are most often picked out before the couple gets engaged. Some couples go ring shopping together so men can make sure they get the perfect ring for their partner. Even if you don’t go ring shopping together, it’s important to get an idea of what style of ring your partner is interested in before you make a purchase. 

Men’s and women’s wedding bands are very different. Women’s wedding bands are often sold in a set with the engagement ring so that they match and look good when worn together. Because of this, women’s wedding bands are often picked out with the engagement ring, but it is also possible to buy them at separate times. Some couples may decide to buy the wedding band together after they have gotten engaged. Men’s wedding rings are often purchased after the couple has become engaged.

How Much Do Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings Cost?

Because engagement rings are often more extravagant, they are usually more expensive than wedding bands. The average price of an engagement ring is over $5,000 while the average cost of a wedding band is about $1,000. This being the average price doesn’t mean you have to spend this much on wedding or engagement rings. At Diamond Ring Co, we offer many different styles of rings for any budget. Visit one of our showrooms or send us a message and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect ring!