Engagement Ring Traditions Around the World

The engagement ring, that long-established symbol of betrothal and commitment, has ancient and varied roots, but is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt where a ring was meant to symbolize everlasting love between spouses. Whatever its origins, engagement rings have long since become a global custom, albeit with cultural adaptations, symbolizing betrothal between two people. Indeed, today there are many beautiful and different traditions and practices around the world in relation to engagement rings.

With that in mind, here’s a look at some different engagement ring customs from around the world. Take some time to browse a bit and see which ones appeal to you most. And who knows? Perhaps you’ll be inspired to incorporate one of the traditions listed here into your own custom-made engagement ring.

Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Venezuela and other Latin American countries

In many regions of Latin America the custom is for the bride and groom to both give each other rings that they wear on their right hand until the day of the wedding. Once married, they symbolically move their ring to their left hand and wear it there as their wedding ring from then on. There are other interesting traditions too. For example, in Argentina both the bride and groom wear a silver engagement ring until they get married and then switch that ring for a gold band on their wedding day. Diamond engagement rings are not popular in Argentina.

Traditional engagement/wedding ring in Latin America

France

Unlike the USA, where diamond engagement rings, the bigger the better, have always been popular, French women prefer colored gemstones such as rubies, emeralds or sapphires and if they do take a diamond, they’ll opt for smaller diamonds ranging from 0.3-.0.4 carats.

Ireland

Ireland has the lovely Claddagh ring.The ring consists of a crown, which symbolizes loyalty, hands, which symbolize friendship, and a heart, which symbolizes love. While sometimes used as friendship rings, the Claddagh ring is primarily used as an engagement ring. When it is worn on the right hand with the crown facing the wearer it means she is single. If it is worn on the right hand facing outward, it indicates you are in a relationship and it is moved to the left hand and facing inward to indicate engagement. Finally, once married, the ring is worn on the left hand with the crown facing outward. Claddagh rings often include gemstones with the more popular ones being diamonds, emeralds (and other green gems), peridot and sapphires.

Traditional Irish Claddagh ring

India

Since the left hand is looked upon unfavorably in India, the engagement ring is traditionally worn on the right hand. Also, in some parts of India, rather than an engagement ring, women are given bangles or bracelets, often studded with colorful gems, to celebrate their engagement.

Bangle bracelet with pear-shaped center stone and colorful accent stones surrounding it.

Israel

While no longer the custom, long ago Jewish engagement rings were quite elaborate with intricate details and too much complexity to be worn on a regular basis, as sometimes they were created in the shape of a synagogue or even had working doors. Today, however, brides in Israel prefer modern designs that are more familiar to us today such as solitaires and three-stone rings. Some brides-to-be also choose to have their engagement rings engraved with their beloved’s initials or a sentimental message.

Traditional Israeli engagement ring

Japan

In Japan you usually only see married women wearing one ring, but this isn’t because they don’t wear an engagement ring at all. They do, but when they get married, the engagement ring is replaced with a wedding ring and the engagement ring is only worn for special occasions. That said, Japanese engagement rings are often made from platinum rather than gold and have simpler rather than elaborate styles.

Simple and elegant solitaire engagement ring

Kenya

In Kenya, it is far more common to gift elaborate jewelry rather than an engagement ring with gemstones. Jewelry with ornate, colorful beading is preferred as a symbol of engagement, as decorative beading has long been a part of their culture.

Kenyan engagement jewelry

Russia

In Russia, engagement rings are not a traditional part of the betrothal. Rather, when a couple decides to get married, they buy both their rings together and exchange them on the day of the wedding ceremony. These rings are typically simple gold bands without any gemstones and are usually worn on the right hand finger closest to the pinky finger. In contrast to most Western traditions, an ‘engagement ring’ that is worn on the same finger of the left hand indicates that the person is either divorced or widowed.

Russian engagement/wedding ring

Turkey

Turkey has a very unique engagement tradition whereby the bride and groom stand in front of a senior member of the family and wait while a young girl they have picked to carry their engagement rings brings them on a tray to the senior family member. The rings are tied together with a long red ribbon and the senior family member cuts the ribbon and makes a traditional statement with blessings and wishes, and the rings are presented to the bride and groom. In addition, during the ceremony, the bride is often given other jewelry pieces while the groom is given a wristwatch.

Turkish style engagement ring

USA

In the USA women and sometimes men too, wear the engagement ring and the wedding ring on the left ring finger. The way they are stacked on the finger depends on the wearer’s personal preference. Diamond engagement rings are most popular here and it is still customary for the groom to propose by popping the well-known ‘Will you marry me?’ question to the bride. The most popular cuts are round cut diamonds.

Traditional engagement ring style in the US.

Still evolving today…

Of course, styles are always evolving and technology has made it possible to create more intricate designs than ever before. Still, a little tradition can be nice. What do you prefer? See any traditions you like?

Whatever ring you’re dreaming about, we can create it… and make that dream come true.

Ready to start your engagement ring tradition?