How to choose a ring for a marriage proposal. Tips, life hacks

Nowadays, it has become popular again to hold an engagement party before the wedding, where the groom gives the bride a ring.
And before marriage, the girl wears the given ring, so you need to know which finger to wear it on correctly, and what to do after the wedding. The groom gives this ring to the bride when he proposes to her; this is a romantic time when the newlyweds express their desire to tie the knot. The question arises, which finger to put the engagement ring on?

Engagement: the origin story of the wedding tradition

An engagement is considered an official statement from a couple in love that they have decided to get married. After this, the girl becomes the bride, and the boy becomes the groom.

The Egyptians, who considered the circle a symbol of eternity, began giving engagement rings. In Ancient Rus', an engagement was called a handshake, or a conspiracy. The word comes from the verb “engage,” which means “to agree, to agree.” The ritual was considered no less significant an event than the wedding itself: it was during the conspiracy that important issues related to the dowry, as well as the joint life of the future family, were resolved.

The engagement ritual has taken root well in Christianity. Thus, Pope Nicholas I issued a decree that every groom should give the bride a gold ring as a sign of the seriousness of his intentions. Many nations had a tradition of giving the groom a wedding shirt made by the bride.

Signs associated with wedding rings

All beliefs originate from the ancient traditions of nationalities. In Russia, people follow these signs:

The wedding ring should be smooth and without elaborate patterns. If the conditions are met, then life together will be just as smooth.
You cannot put rings on other fingers. This can lead to betrayal in the family.
If the jewelry doesn't fit or is dropped during the exchange, it's bad luck.
Wedding rings should not be given to other people to try on. It is believed that it absorbs human energy.
If a couple gets divorced, it is not recommended to wear rings or even keep them at home. They also cannot be used during a second marriage.

Similar signs exist in all countries, and in many ways they are similar to each other.

Despite all beliefs, wearing a ring should be practical and not cause discomfort to the owner. Some manual labor simply will not allow you to keep the ring intact. Therefore, often what finger a ring is put on when getting married is an individual question.

Signs

There are many signs associated with engagement rings.

It is believed that the ring must be new. You should not give antique jewelry or family jewels - you can transfer other people's family problems onto yourself. However, if the union of grandparents was strong and happy, such a ring will bring good luck.
Engagement jewelry should not be allowed to be tried on by anyone other than the bride. An outsider can “steal” part of the family happiness.
The future groom should choose a ring - this confirms his readiness to take a serious step. But you can do this together as a sign that in the family all decisions will be made together.
If you hold the engagement ring under the rays of the rising sun, your married life will be happy and long.

What stones can be in an engagement ring?

Traditionally, engagement is considered to be a major step in adulthood. That is why it is not customary to save money when choosing engagement jewelry. Classic stones in the ring:

diamond;
sapphire;
emerald.

Also, semi-precious stones are often used:

amethysts;
topaz.

Most often you can find options made of gold of various shades (white, lemon, pink), but other metals are also popular: silver, platinum, tungsten, titanium.

If the future groom is short on funds, he can opt for a budget option for an engagement ring. But if there are no problems with finances, there is no need to skimp - the girl will certainly appreciate the broad gesture.

How to make an offer

Only lovers can decide how their engagement will take place. Traditionally, the groom presents the bride with a ring and flowers. You can propose in a cozy home environment or come up with something extraordinary. The scenario for an important day should be thought out in advance to take into account all the nuances.

After the engagement, the newlyweds inform their parents about their decision, celebrate the event in a close family circle, or arrange a magnificent celebration. Sometimes the bride and groom exchange gifts and receive congratulations from close relatives and friends.

Mistakes you shouldn't make when giving an engagement ring

A man presents jewelry to his chosen one at the moment when he wants to propose marriage to her.” If the bride agrees, then from that time on the couple is considered engaged. A girl can wear jewelry on her right or left ring finger.

A man is not always able to choose the right ring and please his chosen one with his choice. Let's tell you more about what mistakes men make and how to avoid them.

Don't confuse an engagement ring with a wedding ring

It is incorrect to call an engagement ring a wedding ring. These are 2 different decorations and each of them has a specific function. The wedding ring is worn only after marriage. Wedding rings are displayed on the fingers throughout the entire period of marriage. Traditional wedding rings should not have ornate designs or gemstones. Their surface is smooth. To ensure a strong and harmonious union, it is recommended to choose rings for the bride and groom in the same style.

The form of decoration can be any - it all depends on the imagination of the groom and the preferences of his chosen one. The ring can be put on immediately after gifting. It is not necessary to wear it all the time. The main difference between engagement and wedding jewelry is that it is usually only worn by the woman (the man does not have a matching pair).

There are situations when the first proposal is made not by a man, but by a woman. She can present him with an engagement ring as a sign of attention. The chosen one is given jewelry without precious stones, but it is desirable that they have an engraving on them.

Be sure to take into account the lady's taste preferences

A lady can wear an engagement ring not only before the wedding, but all the time. Therefore, it is important that it matches the other jewelry on her hands. You cannot give silver jewelry to girls who wear mostly gold. Such a ring will stand out on your hand and look unaesthetic.

The most popular metals
for an engagement ring are gold and platinum.
Often jewelry is set with a precious stone. When choosing engagement jewelry, men need to take into account the taste preferences of their beloved. To do this, you need to pay attention to what other rings the lady has or ask the chosen one about what she prefers. A correctly chosen decoration will emphasize not only the wealth and serious intentions of the groom, but also his attentive attitude towards his beloved.

Be careful when giving family jewelry

Folk traditions do not prohibit the use of engagement and wedding jewelry for close relatives . But this is only possible if the relatives have lived a happy family life and celebrated a silver wedding.

If it is not possible to buy new jewelry, and the owners of the old ones could not boast of a happy union, then the best thing to do would be to melt down the rings. The melted material also carries negative energy, but to a lesser extent than the product itself. You can cleanse the ring from an unfavorable aura by contacting professional healers. With the help of rites and rituals, they will charm the decoration for a long and happy family marriage.

Avoid purchasing oblong-shaped jewelry

The shape plays an important role in choosing an engagement ring. It is not recommended to give the chosen one rings that are oblong in shape and have sharp protrusions. Such a ring symbolizes misunderstanding and frequent quarrels in a couple.

The classic version of what an engagement ring looks like is a round-shaped piece with precious stones. Suitable stones for framing a ring are emeralds, diamonds or malachite.

Select jewelry that is appropriate in size

One of the main mistakes men make is choosing wedding rings by eye. An inappropriately sized piece of jewelry can ruin a lady’s mood and cause a quarrel. There are several ways to avoid making a mistake with the size:

Find out the necessary information from the girl’s mother, sister or close friend
. The disadvantage of this method is that a friend or relative may let it slip and then there will be no surprise. Therefore, you need to consider additional ways to find out the size of your beloved’s finger.
Unnoticed, take your loved one’s jewelry and go with it to the jewelry store.
This method is also not ideal. If a girl finds out about the loss, she may react inadequately to the situation and accuse the guy of theft.
Try on your loved one's ring on your finger
. This is one of the best ways for guys whose memory fails. You can take a ring from your beloved and try it on your finger as a joke. In this case, the guy must record and remember exactly at what level of his finger the beloved ring is stuck.
Ask your chosen one for the necessary information
. It is advisable to do this several months before the expected time of engagement. The girl will expect a proposal in the near future and, having not received it, will let the situation go from her mind. In this case, it will be easier for a man to surprise her and give her an unexpected surprise.

Another option on how to give a ring correctly is to first propose, and then go with your chosen one to a jewelry store. The lady can choose the jewelry she likes.

Size

This is perhaps the key point. If she agrees, the girl will wear the engagement ring constantly, so she should be comfortable in the jewelry - it should not fall off her finger or sit tightly on it, squeezing the blood supply.

In this article we told you how to choose a ring size for a girl. Let's remember the easiest way: go to a jewelry store with one of the jewelry that your beloved wears on her ring (this is important!) finger. The hand does not play a role, although the fingers of the left and right hands are slightly different in girth.

The consultant will use a ring meter to accurately determine the size of the jewelry.

Is it possible to take off the engagement ring?

Traditions are quite unanimous on this matter - if a girl takes off her ring, she doubts her choice of a future husband. All folk signs say that love will be strong and family happiness cloudless only if it is worn constantly.

Doctors, on the contrary, recommend periodically removing the jewelry to avoid constant interference with blood circulation in the finger. Also, safety regulations in some professions prohibit wearing rings while working.

Whether to follow popular beliefs or do what is more convenient is up to your family to decide. After all, a strong marriage is much more than jewelry and rules for wearing it.

Design and material

Equally important is what ring you choose for your proposal. Here you need to start from the girl’s tastes: observe what kind of jewelry she prefers - classic or unusual, laconic or flashy, with inserts or without stones. This will help you decide on the design of the ring. As a backup option, offer to walk through the jewelry department together and take a closer look at what your other half pays attention to.

As for the base material, the engagement ring should, of course, be made of precious metals. Preferably gold or platinum. In the first case, the higher the standard, the better: it is worth considering models of at least 585 standard. The color of the precious metal, again, depends on the girl’s preferences. By the way, models made of gold in two colors are in trend today.

In the classic version, the gemstone is supposed to be in an engagement ring. But their number, type and color remain at the discretion of the one who is going to make an offer. It does not have to be a colorless solitaire diamond. A gold ring with a sapphire or ruby is perfect for this role. Thus, Prince Charles gave Lady Diana a sapphire ring for her engagement, the new owner of which is Kate Middleton.

What kind of engagement rings are given?

Unlike a wedding ring, an engagement ring does not have to be smooth and simple in shape. On the contrary, the presence of precious and semi-precious stones, ornaments or curls made of metal are only welcome. The classic version of an engagement ring is one large stone surrounded by small ones on a smooth rim.

Of course, there are no strict rules for the shape of this precious gift - you can choose any metal, any shape and any stones. The best choice is taking into account the tastes of the future bride. Even if a girl doesn't wear rings, her choice of clothes, accessories and other accessories can tell you which ring she'll like.

This is interesting!

One of the most expensive engagement rings is on the finger of actress Jessica Alba, who received a 5-carat diamond worth 100,000 (one hundred thousand) dollars as a gift from Cash Warren.

Jessica Biel's ring is even more expensive. Her fiancé gave her a ring made of white gold and black radon for 130,000 (one hundred and thirty) dollars. In addition to the 18-carat diamond decoration, two aquamarines are delicately placed on the ring.

Victoria Beckham wears a ring worth 250,000 (two hundred and fifty) thousand dollars.

Jennifer Garner – 500,000 (five hundred) thousand dollars.
But Elizabeth Taylor received from her husband a product of more than 33 carats for 880,000 (eight hundred eighty) thousand dollars.

Among Russian celebrities,
Anna Kournikova is the lucky one. In 2004, her fiance Enrique Iglesias made a gift of 6,000,000 (six million) dollars. The ring is gracefully decorated with an 11-carat pink diamond.

For Nikolai Baskov, the ring presented to Oksana Fedorova at the time of engagement cost $100,000. And although the star couple is not together, the fact of an expensive gift went down in history.
The story of the distant Austrian Duke Maximilian also became a historical fact. Allegedly, in 1477, he fell in love with the daughter of the King of France, the famous Mary of Burgundy.

Maria was a rich heiress and many suitors offered her their hand and heart. Maximilian thought for a long time about how to express his feelings and decided to give the princess an expensive ring with a large diamond. As soon as Maria saw the ring, she said with delight: “Yes!”

Price issue

When it comes to choosing jewelry, it is better not to rush, but to start by assessing your financial capabilities. In the West, where people earn a decent salary, buying a ring can pay for itself in just two months. In developed countries, its value is equated to an indicator of monetary well-being - it is believed that after marriage, the responsibility for maintaining the family falls on the man, its head.

In the countries of the former USSR, the economic situation is not so favorable. People's incomes are lower, so buying an expensive ring can cost a considerable amount. If you know how to manage money and do not want your future wife to consider you a stingy person, you should approach the choice of jewelry with special responsibility.

Gold or silver

Gold is a classic of the genre. This metal is considered to be noble. It symbolizes pure and bright human qualities: justice, loyalty, respect and mercy. A girl will wear such a ring for many years - after years it will not stop sparkling like new.

A good option would be a ring made of red, lemon or white gold - the color of the product depends on the amount of additives in the alloy. For example, 585-carat jewelry contains 58.5% pure gold, the rest is impurities (including silver). If you are not looking for high prices or your girlfriend does not like gold, give preference to silver items. Your chosen one will be able to combine them with clothes and accessories.

Ring with stone

An excellent option when choosing a ring are stone products. Here you should be guided by the color of the chosen one’s eyes. A girl with green eyes will be delighted with a ring with an emerald, and the dignity of blue eyes can be emphasized by turquoise.

Almost all semi-precious stones symbolize the strength of marriage bonds and the longevity of love between two people. However, some of them cannot be given as an engagement gift. For example, pearls are a symbol of tears, opal is a symbol of separation, and a cat's eye is a symbol of a broken family. Sometimes, as a guarantee of strong love, designers offer engraving on the inside of a ring with a stone.

A ring with a diamond

Let's not lie - it's unlikely that your girlfriend can resist a diamond ring. A generous gesture in the form of purchasing expensive jewelry will sweep the future bride away. Bright and beautiful, the diamond will shimmer with hundreds of colors in the rays of the sun. One “but” adds a fly in the ointment - the cost of the products is prohibitively high. Not every man can afford such a purchase. In addition, a large stone is impractical in everyday life. You can replace a diamond with a scattering of semi-precious stones. A sapphire or topaz on a woman’s finger will look no less elegant, and only a specialist can distinguish it from a real gemstone.

Find out the girl's preferences

Does your beloved value uniqueness? Then buy an engagement ring that suits her taste. In this case, the jewelry will not gather dust on a shelf among others: your beloved will often wear it.

Receiving an original piece of jewelry, the girl will think how attentive and caring my man is. A woman will carry this warmth through the years. Every time she looks at the single player, she will experience pleasant emotions.

The following techniques will help you find out the tastes of your loved one:

Consult with your chosen one’s close people: mother, friends, relatives. They will tell you which style is best to buy a ring in.
If you are afraid that someone will spill the beans about the proposal, it is better to do everything yourself. Think about whether your woman wants to be original or like her friends. Take a closer look at your girlfriend’s surroundings and draw the appropriate conclusions.
Study the jewelry your loved one already wears. The chosen engagement ring is in harmony with the entire set of jewelry - which means the chosen one will wear the accessory for many years.

Find out the girl's preferences

Does your beloved value uniqueness? Then buy an engagement ring that suits her taste. In this case, the jewelry will not gather dust on a shelf among others: your beloved will often wear it.

The following techniques will help you find out the tastes of your loved one:

Consult with your chosen one’s close people: mother, friends, relatives. They will tell you which style is best to buy a ring in.
If you are afraid that someone will spill the beans about the proposal, it is better to do everything yourself. Think about whether your woman wants to be original or like her friends. Take a closer look at your girlfriend’s surroundings and draw the appropriate conclusions.
Study the jewelry your loved one already wears. The chosen engagement ring is in harmony with the entire set of jewelry - which means the chosen one will wear the accessory for many years.

What mistakes can you make when choosing?

The most annoying thing is to miss the size. There are other mistakes when the ring:

inappropriate for age;
stands out from the general style;
does not harmonize with other decorations;
too expensive (cheap).

People get married both very early and in adulthood. Miniature rings with small stones will decorate the hand of a young girl. It would be appropriate for a respectable lady to present a massive product with a large insert.

A massive vintage ala ring is unlikely to suit a fan of a sporty style, just like an ethnic ring would suit a super-glamorous lady. If all her jewelry is white gold, there should be no exception for the engagement ring.

Finally, things can be upset by both excessive luxury and excessive modesty. However, this is for the best: the breakdown of a relationship due to an unsuitable ring is probably a clear reason for ending it.

Original and exclusive options

If your bride loves bold designs, then choose a piece of jewelry for her that is imaginative. Girls with narrow fingers should choose a thin ring that will harmonize with their delicate hands. Long “musical” fingers require wide decoration in an unconventional form. It can be a ring in the form of a diadem, a crown, with an ornament or engraving.

The diamond can be replaced with zirconium or cubic zirconia. For brave girls, a product with sapphire, topaz, and amethyst is suitable.

Lovers of practical, comfortable jewelry should choose the option with stones that will not cling to anything. In such smooth rings, small pebbles are scattered around the circumference. This is a very elegant and luxurious model.

An exclusive option would be a ring made of several types of metal. Very often, for such an occasion, a heart-shaped gem is inserted.

Some girls prefer art-design style jewelry. These are completely unique products. Often tungsten, carbon, and ceramics are used for their manufacture. They can also be decorated with processed diamonds and gems. Such products have a lower cost than traditional ones. It is important to note that a diamond can be more than just clear white. Yellow, brown and even black pebbles are also suitable. In general, it is worth noting that choosing an engagement ring is a very sensitive and exciting experience. Every worthy man will approach this moment with full responsibility.

A little history...

According to historians, the first rings that grooms gave to brides appeared in Ancient Egypt. Such rings were made independently from any suitable metal. However, their meaning was somewhat different - they were simply symbols of love, endless, for life; their giving was not timed to coincide with any ritual or holiday.

Over time, the tradition changed and acquired other colors. Thus, already in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, rings were given as a gift for engagement (and, according to some evidence, the gift was intended not for the girl, but for her parents). In this simple way, the man demonstrated that he was able to provide for his family and was ready to bear responsibility for his future wife.

After the adoption of Christianity in Europe, the tradition became even more deeply rooted. This was facilitated by the policies of the Popes. For example, the Church demanded that grooms prove their wealth and wealth by giving the bride a beautiful ring. At first, the requirements were too high - the rings had to be made of gold, but later it was allowed to give silver and iron bands.

The first diamond engagement ring (which later became a classic of the genre) was given to Mary of Burgundy by Duke Maximilian of Austria at the end of the 15th century. Of course, he received consent, because in those conditions he approached the issue with creativity.

In Western Europe, an engagement with a ring has acquired beautiful traditions and options for the development of the event over the centuries - going down on one knee, proposing in restaurants, practical jokes that are amazing in their scale, etc. As for Orthodox countries, this tradition is not so widespread. Noble families, of course, tried to follow Western fashion, but in ordinary families everything was simpler, although the ritual of engagement or conspiracy always existed. The Church has never opposed giving rings to brides. On the contrary, this symbol of love was perceived positively. However, one should be more modest, because modesty is the true adornment of a person.

What to choose?

Having figured out where the engagement ring is placed, it will be useful for newly minted grooms to know what kind of ring to give to the bride?

Everyone will give the exact answer on their own, but you should focus on the taste of the bride, her style and the degree of solemnity of the moment . You should not purchase jewelry with huge stones if the bride is a slender girl with thin fingers. A massive ring will not suit an elegant girl. And vice versa, if the chosen one is tall and rich in shape, then the modest symbol will be lost on her hands.