How does engagement ring shopping make you feel? Excited? Overwhelmed? If you answered “confused,” we get it. You’ve likely come across several ring settings. And on top of that, there are rings for different occasions: engagements, weddings, anniversaries, etc. What’s the difference between each one? You came to the right place because we’re about to tell you more!

Engagement Rings

When to Give: As you probably know by now, you present an engagement ring when popping the big question. It represents your commitment and how much your special someone means to you.

How They Look: Depending on your partner’s tastes and lifestyle, an engagement ring can be as fancy or

simple as you’d like. Most, however, will likely be elaborate. After all, you’re asking your partner to accept this token of love and spend the rest of their life with you! If you want to quickly differentiate these rings from wedding and anniversary rings, look for a noticeable center stone, particularly a diamond. Traditional round diamonds are the top choice among engaged couples, with more than 40% of pairs choosing this shape in 2021.

How to Wear: Engagement rings are usually worn on the fourth finger of your left hand, but you can technically switch things up. And while most couples wear separate engagement and wedding rings, some let their engagement ring double as their wedding ring. It’s completely up to you!

Wedding Rings

When to Give: Couples typically swap these rings when exchanging vows during the wedding ceremony. They symbolize your promise to each other as a newly married pair.

How They Look: Wedding bands often aren’t as flashy as engagement rings. Instead, these rings are meant to complement engagement pieces. For example, a wedding ring might be a plain metal band encrusted with a few small diamonds. But it doesn’t include sizable diamonds/gemstones that are characteristic in engagement rings. If you want an engagement and wedding ring to match, you can consider purchasing a bridal set. But if you’d like each ring to have its own look, that’s acceptable too!

How to Wear: Wedding rings are usually stacked with engagement rings on the fourth finger of your left hand. Historically, couples have placed the wedding ring at the “bottom” of the stack, so it’s closest to their heart. But as we mentioned before, you can choose to wear your ring(s) however you’d like! You might even place one on your left hand and the other on your right hand!

Anniversary Rings

When to Give: As the name suggests, you can give an anniversary ring to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary. If your love is aging like fine wine, you have plenty of opportunities to give such a piece! Checkout our list.

How They Look: Anniversary rings resemble wedding rings, as they’re usually simpler metal bands. However, these pieces can be jazzed up with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and a slew of other gemstones. This ring is meant to honor your one-of-a-kind relationship, so customize it to your partner’s sense of style!

How to Wear: These beauties can be stacked along with engagement and wedding rings on the fourth finger of your left hand. Or, simply wear it as you please!

Have a question? We can help!

Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of engagement, wedding and anniversary rings that feature dazzling, handpicked diamonds and colored gemstones.

We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our selection of natural and lab grown diamonds, or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.

We offer no-credit-needed financing – feel free to apply and get your approval within 24 hours!

Pay over time, because love shouldn’t wait.