Put a right-hand ring on it
Worn as a declaration of independence or to mark a milestone, whatever their significance, right-hand rings are most definitely in.
14 August 2019 by ÅSE ANDERSON
It seems like Beyoncé didn't quite hit the mark when she berated her ex for failing to "put a ring on it" in her female power anthem 'Single Ladies'. These days, independent women are spending their own hard-earned cash on extravagant diamond or gemstone rings and proudly flaunting them – on their right hands.
What are right hand rings?
Simply put, right-hand rings are any rings that are worn on the right hand. Often the term is used for cocktail rings – big statement rings that are typically set with bold, colourful gemstones. Usually these are rings that women have bought for themselves and wearing them on the right hand is a way of ensuring that they are not confused with an engagement ring or wedding band. Often the purchase of the ring is significant too, as women may invest in a right-hand ring to mark a milestone birthday, a professional achievement or even a divorce.
The best thing about right finger rings is that there are no rules. Some women choose to indulge in a diamond solitaire while others opt for a flamboyant cocktail ring or a jewel set with their birthstone. For June babies, the attention-grabbing pearls rings (top) by Australian designer Margot McKinney fit the bill perfectly. Or follow Beyoncé's lead to the letter and wear a massive butterfly on your finger. Read more here. The singer recently donated the ring to Victoria & Albert Museum in London where you can see it on display in the jewellery gallery.
Margot McKinney Aquamarine Cocktail Ring featuring a centre Aquamarine 38.95 carats enhanced by sapphires, Paraiba tourmaline, blue topaz and diamonds; crafted in 18 karat white gold.
The blue of the turquoises mixed with the green of the emeralds and matched with some blue nail polish. A very beautiful right-hand ring from Robinson Pelham.
Margot McKinney's cocktail ring explodes with a lush green light thanks to the centre peridot of 25.19 carats, enhanced with 5.02 carats of yellow diamonds and 3.87 carats of white diamonds.
Margot McKinney Tahitian pearl cocktail ring, accompanied by a halo of multi-coloured sapphires, tsavorites, peridot and diamonds.
The Gemma ring from Selim Mouzannar is set with a 6.34-carat aquamarine framed with white enamel and flanked by two rich red rubies.
This delicate and daring cocktail ring in jade from Nadine Aysoy is extremely light, comfortable and on your finger to make an impression.
Rose Dior Bagatelle ring in 18-carat white gold, set with 3.87 carats of diamonds (£42,700).
Handmade 11-carat gold ring by Alice Cicolini, patterned with richly coloured enamel and topped with a chrysoprase (£6,725).
Recalling the chaotic colour of the Indian festival of Holi, the Cartier Holika ring makes a joyful combination of rubellite, tourmaline and chrysoberyl.
Lydia Courteille's bold and unusual designs are perfect to wear on the right hand. This 18-carat blackened gold cocktail ring is set with a smooth cabochon blue agate, with a monkey hidden on the side (£15,150).
This pink gold Gemma cocktail ring from Selim Mouzannar is set with a 6.34 cts aquamarine and 2 rhodolites.
A closer view of the Chanel 1.5 Rouge Tentation spinel and diamond rose gold ring can be worn in two ways, with the outer two rows of diamond-set petals or a smaller ring without them.
While the term 'right hand ring' is a relatively new one, the idea of wearing a ring on the right hand to signify a woman's economic independence has its roots in the original cocktail rings of the 1920s. As the prohibition movement swept across America, women partaking in the underground drinking scene would don brightly coloured, oversized rings that they had purchased with their own money.
Lydia Courteille's cocktail rings, which feature a kaleidoscope of coloured gemstones, tap into the right-hand ring trend. Lydia is drawn to out-of-the-ordinary gemstones – the ring below is a perfectly smooth cabochon of blue agate – and most of her jewels have surprising, often humorous details hidden amongst the design. Turn this ring on its side and you will find a cute little monkey with diamond eyes peering back at you.
Right hand rings: which finger?
Again, as with the style of ring, there are no hard and fast rules, although when it comes to big cocktail rings, most people tend to wear them on the right ring or index finger. With the jewellery trend for sideways stacking, it is not uncommon to see women wearing a ring (or two) on every right hand digit, from pinkie to thumb.
Traditionally, each finger had its own symbolism, with the index finger reserved for membership rings such as those bearing a family crest, and a thumb ring being seen as a sign of wealth and power. A ring worn on the right pinkie can also indicate professional status, as these rings are often presented to graduates.
Suzanne Kalan uses the graphic shape of baguette-cut diamonds to dazzling effect in this geometric cocktail ring in rose gold (£5,965).
How do you wear right hand rings?
In keeping with the tradition set by the 1920s flappers, in Western countries the right hand is often reserved for fun, flamboyant jewels, such as cocktail rings. As most people are right handed, wearing a statement ring on this hand will increase its visibility, making it more noticeable for other people.
With rings of a more minimal design, wearing them stacked vertically on one finger or spread across the whole hand can look very stylish. Rings that coil up the finger are also very fashionable at the moment.
Some women also choose to wear eternity rings on their right hand ring finger. These rings, which usually feature channel set diamonds in a full or half circle, are usually given to mark an occasion such as a 10- or 15-year wedding anniversary or the birth of a child. Traditionally, they are worn on the ring finger of the left hand either in between or above the engagement ring and wedding band. However, some women prefer to wear the eternity ring on their right hand either because it is more comfortable or simply because they prefer the look.
Foundrae diamond eternity ring with green champlevé enamel triangle detailing on the edges of the band ($2,500).
What do right hand rings mean?
In countries such as the UK and the US, where the left ring finger tends to be earmarked for love and commitment, wearing a diamond ring on the right hand makes it clear that it is not an engagement ring. The 1920s concept that a ring worn on the right hand says 'me' while the left hand represents 'we' still resonates with women today. In 2003, De Beers launched its 'Raise your Right Hand' campaign targeting women with enough money to buy a diamond ring for themselves. The campaign, with catch lines such as "Your left hand rocks the cradle. Your right hand rules the world", was a resounding success, boosting sales of non-bridal diamond rings by 15 per cent.
One-of-a-kind Margot McKinney Marbella ring, set with a 17.66-carat cabochon rubellite surrounded by pink sapphires and diamonds ($20,500).
Margot McKinney agrees that modern women tend to favour their right hand for rings that they have chosen and paid for themselves. She says: "Initially a sign of rallying against the Prohibition movement of the 1920s in the USA, I think that right hand rings are still a sign of a delicious little "I'm not playing by the rules!"
"As recently as last week I had an extraordinary woman who fell in love with a fabulous Australian South Sea pearl ring that was a perfect example of a right hand ring. She declared a long-held desire for a ring that she could wear that didn't say "I'm married" but said I have style and taste and "I've made it".
A fascinating 5.20 carat Mexican anhydrous opal gives this Femme Fatale ring by Australia's Katherine Jetter dramatic appeal ($30,000).
However, while a right-hand ring may signify a woman's economic independence, it can also simply mean that the jewel is a family heirloom such as an engagement ring that has been passed down from previous generations.
Instead of wearing wedding bands on their left hands, gay and lesbian couples often choose to wear rings on their right hands instead. Within their communities, these right-handed rings have become instantly recognisable indicators of relationship or marital status.
Right-hand wedding rings
If anyone was under the impression that checking for a wedding ring on the left hand was a sure-fire way of determining someone's marital status, think again. The tradition of wearing engagement rings and wedding bands on the left ring finger is not the same all over the world.
Incredible colours for the Gemma cocktail ring fromSelim Mouzannar with a 10.21 cts tourmaline and 2 aquamarines.
In many countries, such as Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Russia, Spain, Colombia and Poland, it is customary to wear wedding bands on the right hand. In Brazil, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria women wear their engagement ring on the right hand until the wedding when it is switched to the left. The German tradition is the reverse of this, with the engagement ring migrating from the left hand to the right after a couple ties the knot.
This signet-style ring from Jacquie Aiche is topped with an oval of royal-blue agate carved with two elegant swans (£2,500).
There are numerous variations across the globe. In China, for example, the bride wears the wedding ring on the right hand, the so-called 'working hand', to signify that she is in charge of the household, while the groom wears his on the left hand.
Buddha Mama's spectacular ring in the shape of a lotus flower is set with a magnificent 20 carat cabochon rubellite ($34,200).
These days the decision is often dictated by personal choice and preference as much as by tradition. For example, if a bride is right handed, she may prefer to wear the engagement ring on her left hand so it doesn't get in the way of daily life.
However you choose to wear it, the trend for right-hand rings is the perfect excuse to indulge in a spectacular jewel just for you. And if you're in need of inspiration, go to our Shop section, which is bursting with hundreds of cocktail rings and diamond rings.
Updated by Maria Doulton August 2019
Shop Margot McKinney on Neiman Marcus Buy Alexander Laut on Neiman Marcus Shop Alice Cicolini on Net-A-Porter Shop Buddha Mama on Swoonery Shop Jacquie Aiche on Farfetch Shop Katherine Jetter on Swoonery Shop Lydia Courteille on Net-A-Porter
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ÅSE ANDERSON
Despite her Scandinavian name, Åse has lived in the UK since the age of 10, save for a couple of years in the US and Ireland. She has more than 15 years of journalistic experience, specialising in the fashion and ...
Mentioned in this article:
Margot Mckinney
Katherine Jetter
Noor Fares
Alexander Laut
Buddha Mama
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20-carat cabochon rubellite cocktail ring
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Femme Fatale Mexican anhydrous opal ring
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