Kalyan Wiki
Engagement Ring
The custom of exchanging engagement rings is quaint, the tradition dates back to the time of early Egyptians who believed that exchanging rings symbolized the eternity of togetherness. In most cultures, only women wear engagement rings, and they are generally worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This is due to a widespread belief prevalent since olden times that the vein from the ring finger goes directly to the heart, thus indicating closeness. However, scientifically this belief is not correctly supported with facts and is hence only fictitious. Nonetheless, while women of most western countries wear their engagement ring on the left hand, some women, including that of India, wear the ring on their right hand.
Gold and platinum are usually the preferred metals for engagement rings. However, metals like Silver, Titanium and stainless steel have also found prominence in the present times. As a result, engagement rings come in simple designs of plain bands made in preferred metals as well as in the form of ornate designs of bands and even bands with precious stones that further adds to its beauty.
Diamond rings with a single stone (solitaire) that come in all shapes and sizes, but with brilliant-cut are the most popular ones. Other precious stones like Emeralds, Sapphires, Moissanites, and Rubies also occasionally replace diamonds in engagement rings. Sometimes these stones come in smaller sizes and in many numbers in a single metallic band to form simple or intricate exquisite designs.
Also available are engagement rings with the inscription of vows or other messages to each other for couples and the names of the wearers.
