The romantic history of engagement ring sets started in the 12th century, in 1215. Pope Innocent III initiated the engagement period in 1215. The pope wanted couples to observe engagement period before getting married. After the announcement by the Pope, the people began to practice wearing engagement rings during the betrothal period. The wearing of the ring is said to signify change of status from single to engage. The engagement proposal has become popular across all cultures with little variation of the practice. Still, the main event is the kneeling down of the man and asking the woman to accept his offer of marriage.

If anyone sees an engagement ring on the fourth finger of a woman’s left hand, it would mean she has already given her commitment and pledge of being faithful to a man. Men in general provide the ring and propose marriage to the woman. Today, the trend of women proposing to men is fast becoming popular in US. In Norway and Finland, both men and women wear engagement rings during the betrothal period. The engagement practices differ from culture to culture. Some men use their engagement rings as their wedding bands later. In Germany, couples prefer to wear simple gold engagement rings, which they will transfer from the right to the left hand during the marriage ceremony.

Although some countries perceive the left hand as weaker than the right, most culture wears engagement rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. The tradition emerges from the belief that the vein of love is at the fourth finger of the left hand. Some countries firmly believe that couples are going to achieve more bonding, emotional security, and unity if they put the engagement ring on the left hand. This signifies union of the couples’ bodies into one soul. This is quite religious but very romantic in nature. Some engagements are also broken and do not end in marriage.

Broken engagements are sad fate among couples. There are many reasons that may cause the change of heart and decision of the couple. The question of returning and not returning the engagement ring depends on the couple. Some women return the ring. Some men prefer that the woman keeps the ring. However, in cases that the woman is the one who decides to break the engagement, then the man could ask for the return of the engagement ring.