Which Finger Do the Promise Ring, Wedding Band and Solitaire Go On?

Short answer: In Turkey, promise and engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of the right hand. After the wedding, the wedding band moves to the ring finger of the left hand, and the solitaire is worn on the same finger, above the band. These are traditions, not rules; you can wear your ring on whichever finger you like.

Which ring goes on which finger?

The ring finger is the fourth finger, next to the little finger.

Which finger does a promise ring go on?

In Turkey the promise ring is placed on the ring finger of the right hand at the “söz” ceremony, when the families give their word. If an engagement follows, it stays on the same finger; some couples use a single ring for both.

Which hand do the engagement ring and wedding band go on?

The common Turkish tradition is this: at the engagement the rings are worn on the right hand, and after the civil wedding they move to the left hand. The move marks the step from engagement to marriage.

This is not the same everywhere. In some countries the wedding band stays on the right hand after marriage, and in many others the engagement ring is worn on the left hand from the start. The “right” hand depends on the culture.

Which finger does a solitaire go on?

A solitaire is usually given at the proposal. Practice varies here: many people wear it on the ring finger of the left hand from the proposal on, while some wear it on the right hand during the engagement and move it to the left hand, together with the wedding band, at the wedding. After the wedding, the solitaire sits on the same finger as the band, above it.

How do you wear a solitaire and a wedding band together?

The usual order is the wedding band first, then the solitaire. The band sits at the base of the finger, closer to the heart; the solitaire sits above it, towards the fingertip. This way the solitaire’s stone also stands out.

If the two rings will be worn together, check that they suit each other. A plain band sits well next to any solitaire. With solitaires whose stone sits low, check whether the band fits under the stone.

Why the ring finger?

According to a very old belief, a vein runs straight from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart; it was called the “vein of love”. Anatomically there is no such special vein, but the tradition has lasted for centuries and gave the finger its name.

Which hand should you measure for ring size?

The fingers of your two hands are often not the same size; the dominant hand is usually half a size to one size larger. So measure the ring finger of the hand the ring will be worn on. If the solitaire will be worn on the right hand first and on the left hand after the wedding, it is a good idea to measure both.

We explain step by step how to measure at home on our how to find your ring size page, which also has an on-screen measuring tool.

Frequently asked questions