The Engagement Ring

The custom of the groom giving an engagement ring is very old, dating back hundreds of years. The bride-to-be usually selects the ring, but sometimes the groom presents her with a family ring or heirloom. The engagement ring is not worn publicly until the engagement is announced.

The ring is presented as soon as possible after the engage¬ment is agreed, and the fiancee wears it on the third finger of her left hand. Until the wedding ring is added, only the engagement ring should be worn there.

The man will sometimes buy the ring in advance, hand it to the girl, and abide by her decision as to whether or not she accepts it: if she does accept it, they are automatically engaged. Again, he may produce the ring as soon as he receives a favourable reply to his proposal. However, it is best for the girl to have an opportunity of selecting the ring she likes best, after the engagement is agreed.

A diamond ring is chosen in most cases, but sometimes the girl will prefer a birth-stone. The months of the year are represented by different birthstones:

Month	Birthstone	Meaning
January	Garnet	Constancy
February	Amethyst	Sincerity
March	Bloodstone, Aquamarine	Courage
April	Diamond	Purity
May	Emerald	Hope
June	Pearl, Agate	Health
July	Ruby	Passion
August	Sardonyx, Peridot	Married Happiness
September	Sapphires	Repentance
October	Opals	A Lovable Nature
November	Topaz	Cheerfulness
December	Lapiz Lazuli	Unselfishness

In some countries the custom in this respect differs. The above classification is followed in Britain and the United States, and is known as the "Polish Code."

Although most girls think a great deal of an engagement ring, it is not essential, and a girl might agree to forgo the expense, in order to save money for the wedding and the setting up of a home. On the other hand, if the girl has money, she may give the man an engagement present—a cigarette case, tie-pin or cuff-links.

If the man's means are limited, he can arrange beforehand with the jeweller for a suitable selection of engagement rings to be produced when he and his fiancee enter the shop.