Have you ever wondered why you wear your engagement ring on the "ring finger" and how that came to be?

Today's couples tend to make their own way rather than lean on tradition. We are wear colored wedding gowns, serving donut at the reception, and women are popping the question more than ever.

Still, the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the left hand ring finger has stuck.

Why the ring finger?

While the answer varies depending on where you are in the world, those in the United States consider the ring finger to be the finger between your pinkie and middle finger (aka your fourth finger). Wearing a ring on your ring finger on your left hand is known to represent your relationship status.

Many credit this custom to the Romans, who believed that the ring finger had a vein running directly to the heart. This vein was called this the Vena Amoris, or the “Vein of Love,” although modern science has shown there is actually no such vein.

Inspired by concept of the Vena Amoris, wearing a ring on the fourth finger represents a connection to the heart and is tied into affection, love and creativity.

Women typically wear an engagement ring after they've accepted their partner's proposal, and both partners will gain a band once married. There is an upcoming trend for men to also wear engagement rings before saying, "I do."

Not all countries or groups of people relate the ring finger on the left hand to represent their commitment.

Many same-sex couples will wear a ring on the right hand to represent that they are in a monogamous relationship, whether that’s a long-term partnership or marriage.

Couples in India and Spain typically wear their engagement and wedding rings on the right hand.

Explore wedding bands at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

"Usually you only hear about customer's loyalty to a business, but never the other way around. This all changed with Affinity where for the first time, I experienced loyalty from a business I have patroned. 

Per my previous review, my husband and I had a great experience buying both of our wedding bands here. Fast forward 4 years later and my husband's wedding ring slipped off his finger while surfing. I called them asking to re-order it, and they offered a discount due to the circumstances of the situation. I had no expectation of that, and was completely taken back at their thoughtfulness. 

They had everything in our records, so re-ordering the ring was a breeze and completely stress free. I'm almost grateful for the experience of needing to re-order because I saw even more of their integrity and love for their customers and it blessed me so. It doesn't get any better than this folks!" — Grace B. on Yelp