The Superstitions Around Engagement Rings—Are They Really True?

When it comes to engagement rings, some people focus on the budget, others on craftsmanship, while some quietly ask: “My birth time is ***, should I wear a ruby?” “Is it okay to buy a diamond ring in July?”  “Will wearing the ring on the wrong hand lead to a breakup?”…

These whispered questions often reveal a deeper desire: the longing for a bit of certainty when it comes to love. If fate could offer a sign through a ring, perhaps we’d all feel a little more reassured. But is there really something mystical going on? Let’s take a look at the popular beliefs surrounding engagement rings—some are entertaining, others are better left laughed off.

Long-Standing Superstitions

• Wearing the ring on the wrong finger can throw the relationship off balance.
• The bigger the diamond, the deeper the love.
• Wearing someone else’s old ring carries their past emotional ties.
• Losing a ring signals cracks in the relationship.
• An engagement ring set with pearls = an unhappy marriage.
• A poorly designed setting brings bad energy.
• Buying a ring at the “wrong time” invites bad luck.
• Personalized engravings could bring misfortune.
  …

Are these beliefs really true? Let’s break them down one by one…

1. Wearing a Ring on the Wrong Finger Can Destabilize the Relationship 

Of all the superstitions around engagement rings, the wearing position might be the most talked-about.

Many have heard the romantic idea that “the vein in the left ring finger leads directly to the heart,” a belief dating back to ancient Rome. It’s certainly poetic. Wearing a ring on the left ring finger is indeed a widespread custom, but it’s more about cultural tradition and shared understanding than actual anatomy. Its real meaning lies in the mutual agreement between partners and the love you express through this gesture—not in whether such a vein exists.

That said, some superstitions go further: wearing a ring on the pinky “attracts bad romances,” wearing it on the thumb “signals selfishness,” and putting it on the right hand supposedly “disrupts relationship dynamics.” These ideas sound mystical but are really more like cultural overlays or psychological suggestions.

In truth, the most important factors in choosing which hand or finger to wear your ring on are comfort and habit. A stable relationship isn’t determined by where you wear your ring, but by communication and trust between you and your partner.

Related: Guide to Wearing Your Engagement and Wedding Ring

2. The Bigger the Carat, the Deeper the Love

Is the size or carat weight of the gemstone a direct reflection of someone’s love or social status? Not really. What gives a ring its value is the love and commitment it represents—not its size.

A thoughtfully chosen ring, rich with meaning, holds far more emotional weight than blindly chasing after a higher carat number. Love is priceless, and the ring is simply one way to carry that love.

3. Wearing Someone Else’s Old Ring Carries Their Past Emotional Ties 

Some believe that wearing a secondhand ring means inheriting the emotional baggage of its previous owner—and that it may bring bad luck. 

This idea is purely speculative. Wearing a pre-owned ring is not only an environmentally conscious and sustainable choice, but also a way to carry on a meaningful story. When the origin of the ring is openly shared and understood, it can become a unique kind of romance—one that honors the past while embracing the future. 

Rather than “inheriting past love,” think of it as adding depth and history to the ring’s story.

4. Losing a Ring Means Trouble in the Relationship 

Some worry that if a ring slips off or gets lost, it signals an impending breakup. 

In reality, losing a ring is more often just a simple accident—a small mishap, like many we experience in life. It has no real bearing on the strength of a relationship. Instead of stressing over symbolic “omens,” it’s far more meaningful to focus on communication, understanding, and supporting each other. That’s the real “magic” behind lasting love.

5. Pearl Engagement Rings = Unhappy Marriage? 

In older traditions, pearls were thought to resemble “teardrops,” symbolizing sorrow or longing—making them supposedly unsuitable for occasions of union or marriage.

In reality, pearl engagement rings are quite popular. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Emma Stone have chosen pearls as the centerpiece for their engagement rings, embracing their symbolism of purity, uniqueness, and softness. Pearls are also the birthstone for June and are traditionally associated with pure love, loyalty, and good fortune in Western culture.

6. Poor Ring Setting Design Affects Overall Luck 

Some followers of feng shui believe that a hollow setting “can’t hold fortune,” or that sharp-edged designs—like V-shapes or jagged prongs—might “cut off luck” or “disrupt harmony,” especially for those whose elemental sign is metal or water. Others think a loose fit symbolizes unstable emotions, while a tight ring might “suppress fortune.”

But there’s no factual basis for any of this. Belief is a powerful thing: what feels wrong to one person might feel perfectly fine to another. A hollow setting could simply be a design choice for a lighter, more comfortable ring. Some even believe V-shaped prongs help “channel energy upward” and support career success.

As for whether a ring is too tight or loose—that’s more about sizing than superstition. Bodies change, and even a perfectly fitted ring can shift in comfort if someone gains or loses weight.

7. Rings Shouldn’t Be Bought at a “Bad Time”

Yes, in superstition, even the timing of buying or wearing a ring is considered important. Some believe that making a purchase at the “wrong time” can bring misfortune.

But again, this is more psychological than supernatural. We’ve seen countless couples get engaged or married during so-called “inauspicious” times and go on to live happily.

If a particular date holds special meaning—like your first trip together, or a period when your birthdays align—embrace it. The best moment to propose or get engaged is the one when you’re both ready and wholeheartedly sure of each other. That’s the real lucky timing.

8. Engraving a Ring Might Bring Bad Luck 

Many couples choose to engrave something inside their rings—a gesture that’s usually considered sweet and personal. But from a mystical standpoint, some believe that engraving creates a kind of emotional “attachment” or “bondage,” potentially triggering hidden energetic meanings.

Honestly, this is an over-interpretation of the power of words. What you choose to engrave is entirely up to you. As long as it holds meaning for you both—even if it’s a private code, an inside joke, or the initials of your favorite bubble tea—it’s more real and sincere than worrying about whether it aligns with some mystical system.

Why Should We View These Beliefs with a Rational Mind? 

Many of these superstitions have lasted because they reflect our desire for lasting love and our attempts to make sense of the unknown. But when taken too seriously, they can lead to real downsides:

• Unnecessary anxiety: If you believe that losing a ring signals trouble in love, then a simple mistake can spiral into doubt, stress, and even real relationship issues.
  
• Losing sight of love’s essence: At the heart of any strong relationship are understanding, support, and shared effort—not the size of a ring or whether it matches certain “rules.”
  
• Creating financial pressure: Chasing after “the bigger, the better” might push couples into spending beyond their means, leading to stress and even conflict.
  
• Neglecting true connection: Hoping that a ring has the power to “protect” a relationship takes the focus away from what really matters: communication, respect, and building something together.

Ultimately, rings carry the meaning you give them—not the myths attached to them.

The Real Risk of Superstition Isn’t “Being Wrong”—It’s Forgetting What Really Matters: You

• You might pass up a gem that took your breath away, just because someone said, “It’s not ideal for engagement.”
   
• You might hold back from engraving the words you truly want to say because someone warned it’s “bad luck.”
   
• Worse yet, you might delay a proposal—one you were fully ready for—just because of a passing taboo.

The Heart of It All: Your Story Matters More Than Any Superstition 

An engagement ring isn’t meant to follow rules—it’s meant to tell your story.

Sure, it’s fun to explore symbolic meanings and traditions. But don’t let them override what your heart already knows. If a gem, a design, or even a line of engraving makes you think of your partner and the love you’ve built together—then that’s all the “good luck” you need.

At MollyJewelryUS, we believe in choosing with intention—but also in questioning with freedom. After all, lasting love isn’t about fate. It’s about two people who choose, every day, to show up with care and commitment.