An engagement ring is the ring one partner gives to the other in connection with a proposal, as a visible token of the promise to marry. It is worn by the person who has been proposed to, from the proposal until the wedding - and often afterwards as well, side by side with the wedding ring. Today the ring typically has a diamond as its centre stone, and it is precisely the stone that sets it apart from the simpler wedding ring.

The engagement ring marks the transition from a relationship to an engaged couple. It signals that two people have decided to marry, without the wedding date necessarily being set yet. That makes it both a promise and an announcement: a ring you wear every day and that others can see.

When is an engagement ring given, and who wears it?

The ring is given at the proposal. The classic form is that one partner proposes and offers the ring at the same time, after which the other puts it on if the answer is yes. From that moment the couple is engaged, and the ring is worn until the wedding.

Traditionally it is the woman who receives the engagement ring, but that picture has become far more open. Some couples choose for both to wear a ring during the engagement, and others find the ring together after the proposal itself. It is also becoming more and more common to end up with two rings in total - one engagement ring and one wedding ring - rather than having just the one.

Proposing without a ring at hand is perfectly possible, and many deliberately choose to find the ring together afterwards, so the recipient has a say in the stone, shape and metal.

What is the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring?

The two rings belong to different parts of the journey. The engagement ring is given at the proposal and marks the decision to marry. The wedding ring is exchanged at the wedding itself and worn by both partners as a sign that the marriage has been entered into.

Their appearance usually sets them apart. The engagement ring most often has a distinct diamond, while the wedding ring is typically simpler - a plain band or a ring with small diamonds all the way round. Many choose to wear both rings at the same time after the wedding, and it can therefore be an advantage to think of the two together, so they sit nicely next to each other on the finger.

If you want to delve deeper into how the two rings differ, a thorough review can be found in the article on the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring.

Which hand and finger does the engagement ring go on?

In Denmark the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. The ring finger is the fourth finger counting from the thumb, and this is also where the wedding ring ends up sitting after the wedding.

The custom varies from country to country. In several countries, including Norway and Germany, the ring is worn on the right hand, so the placement depends on where you are and which tradition you follow. If you have both an engagement ring and a wedding ring, many wear them on the same finger after the wedding.

If you are in doubt about the placement, the question is examined more closely in the article on where the engagement ring should go.

Which stone goes in an engagement ring?

The diamond is the classic stone in an engagement ring. It is the hardest material that exists, sitting at 10 on the Mohs scale, which measures the hardness of minerals. That makes it resistant to scratches and well suited to a piece of jewellery worn every day for many years.

Diamonds for jewellery come in two varieties: natural diamonds, formed in the earth over a very long time, and lab-grown diamonds, cultivated in a laboratory. A lab-grown diamond has the same element, the same crystal structure and the same optical properties as a natural diamond - the difference lies in the origin, not in the stone itself. It is therefore not possible to tell lab-grown and natural diamonds apart with the naked eye.

At Longvé most rings are available in both varieties, so the same design can be chosen either with a lab-grown diamond or with a natural diamond. If you want to read more about how they are grown, the article on lab-grown diamonds reviews the process in more detail, and the entire selection can be found in the collection of lab-created diamonds.

Which diamond shapes and ring types can you choose between?

The engagement ring comes in many expressions, and the choice largely comes down to the shape the diamond is cut in and how the stone is set in the ring. The most widespread type is the solitaire ring, where one diamond sits as the centre stone in a claw setting that lifts the stone clear of the ring band.

Solitaire ring with one centre stone

The solitaire ring is the classic engagement ring: a single diamond allowed to stand alone. The setting with claws holds the stone in place and lets the light hit it from several sides. The shape of the diamond can vary - round, oval, pear-shaped, cushion-cut or marquise-cut - and it changes the character of the ring considerably, even when the rest of the design is the same. A round stone looks classic and symmetrical, while an oval or marquise-cut stone gives a more elongated expression. See the selection in the collection of solitaire rings, or take a look at an oval solitaire ring as an example.

Trilogy ring with three stones

The trilogy ring has three diamonds in a row: one centre stone flanked by two side stones. The three stones give more sparkle across the width than a single centre stone and are often interpreted as a symbol of past, present and future. A round trilogy ring is an example of this type. The entire category can be found under trilogy rings.

Pavé ring with many small diamonds

In a pavé ring the ring band is set closely with many small diamonds, so the surface appears continuously sparkling. Pavé can stand alone or be combined with a centre stone, where the small stones lead up to the larger one. This gives a rich expression without necessarily having one very large stone in the middle. A round pavé ring shows the principle.

Which metal do you choose for the engagement ring?

The metal determines the colour of the ring and forms the frame around the diamond. Longvé's rings are made in 14K gold and 14K white gold, and the choice between the two is mostly about which tone suits the hand and matches the recipient's other jewellery.

14K gold has a warm, golden tone, while 14K white gold is silver-coloured and gives a cooler expression. White gold often highlights the diamond's clear colour, while gold gives a warmer contrast to the stone. If the ring is later to be worn together with a wedding ring, it can be a good idea to choose the same metal for both, so they match on the finger. If you want to know more about the one metal, the article on white gold explains how it differs from ordinary gold.

How much does an engagement ring cost?

The price of an engagement ring depends especially on the size of the diamond and on the metal. Diamond weight is measured in carats, where 1 carat corresponds to 0.2 grams, and a larger centre stone generally means a higher price. The shape, the setting and the number of diamonds in the ring band itself also play a part.

There is no single fixed amount an engagement ring should cost - the range is wide, precisely because size and design vary so much. A thorough review of what determines the price can be found in the article on what an engagement ring costs.

Should you have two rings?

Many end up with two rings: an engagement ring given at the proposal, and a wedding ring exchanged at the wedding. The two are often worn together afterwards, and some couples therefore choose a simple wedding ring that sits nicely alongside the engagement ring.

There is, however, no fixed rule. Some make do with the one ring, others use the engagement ring as a wedding ring, and still others choose a matching set from the beginning. Once you have an overview of the different options, it is easier to choose a design that works, whether it is to stand alone or be combined later.