Wedding Rings & Bands

The reason many wear wedding rings on their left hand dates back to Ancient Rome. Traditionally, Romans believed the vein on the third finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart, naming it vena amoris (or ‘the vein of love’), symbolising eternal love. 

This tradition continues today in many countries. But how you choose to wear your wedding ring is entirely up to you – some people like to wear it on their left hand; others prefer to wear it on their right. You can even choose to wear it on a chain around your neck, so you can always keep it close to your heart. 

How you choose to wear your wedding jewellery comes down to personal choice.

The wedding band you choose to pair with your engagement ring comes down to personal preference and the look you want to achieve. Your engagement ring can help direct the style of the wedding band, and lead you to something more simple or elaborate.  

Women's wedding bands come in a range of unforgettable styles, and men's wedding bands also offer bold and sophisticated designs. Your wedding band and engagement ring can complement one another as part of a bridal set, from a timeless halo or teardrop setting, to a coloured gemstone as a striking centrepiece. 

Prefer to coordinate? A pair of couples' wedding rings will ensure yours matches with your partner’s. With a large selection of styles, designs, and precious metals, you’re sure to find a set you both love.

Traditionally, your wedding ring goes on first, then your engagement ring is placed on top. Most people like to wear their wedding band on their left hand to remind them of the deep commitment they’ve made and to reinforce the strong bond they have with their partner. 

Some like to wear their wedding band as part of a wedding set. This can offer a more harmonious sense of style and creates an ideal fit between rings. Wedding ring sets are also a good option if you have an engagement ring that features a uniquely-shaped diamond or design, with your wedding band helping to provide the perfect complement. 

You can even add other rings over time that hold special significance, like a diamond eternity ring, which is typically worn on top of your engagement ring. 

During the wedding ceremony, the engagement ring is temporarily shifted to the right hand. Once the wedding ring is placed on the left hand, the engagement ring is moved back to sit neatly above the wedding band.

Your wedding rings are a symbol of your love, and represent the special bond you share with your partner. Maintaining the beauty and longevity of your wedding ring will ensure its heirloom status.

The accumulation of dirt, oils and other particles is inevitable, especially on jewellery worn every day. Restore its lustre with a simple clean you can complete in minutes at home. For your most precious pieces, we recommend bringing them to your nearest Michael Hill store [link to store locator] for professional, complimentary cleaning.

If your wedding ring is crafted from precious metals such as gold wedding bands, platinum, or silver, submerge it in warm, soapy water and gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do this every few weeks or as required and your ring will shine. For extra shine, try polishing your ring with a polishing cloth every few months. For more information, refer to our Jewellery Care Guide.

A wedding is a joyous occasion; a merging of two spirits in a promise to live their lives together as one. Extending this love into something tangible, such as diamond wedding rings, naturally absorbs this romantic declaration and enhances this promise. The wedding ring is a real and wearable symbol of this vow. 

Precious metal represents strength and durability; a symbol of an unbreakable bond. While coloured gemstones allude to many different things, such as enhanced intuition, bringing abundance, and strengthening family bonds. The shape of the ring is round to fit the finger, but it also holds its own meaning. Much like the promise of ‘forever’,  the circular shape of the wedding ring represents eternity, with no beginning or end.

Dainty or bold, the thickness of your wedding rings need only be dictated by one person: you. A narrow band will elongate the fingers and create an elegant, refined look. While a thicker wedding ring will create a stronger effect and allows for a statement diamond or gemstone setting.  While tradition says wedding bands should be thicker than engagement rings, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference.