Womens Ring

What Finger to Wear a Ring On

What finger to wear a ring on depends on what the ring is saying. The index finger is the confident spot, the natural home of a signet or any ring meant to be seen, and the middle finger is the steady center that carries weight without crowding its neighbors. The ring finger of the left hand is read in the US as taken, so a promise ring usually goes there, while the right ring finger is free for anything you like. The pinky suits a small signet or a slim band, and a thumb ring works best plain, because the thumb moves more than any other finger.

• Index finger. Broad faces and wide bands, the pieces meant to be noticed.
• Ring finger. Halo, wave and slim gemstone rings, alone or stacked.
• Pinky and thumb. Plain or small rings that will not catch as the hand moves.

Rings for Short Fingers

Rings for short fingers follow one simple rule: lines that run along the finger lengthen it, and lines that run across it shorten it. A slim band leaves more skin showing above and below it, which makes the finger read longer. A stone that points toward the fingertip, an open wave that rises toward the knuckle and a small round center all keep the eye moving up the hand. A wide band or a stone laid across the finger does the opposite, so if your fingers are short, wear that kind of ring on the longest one, the middle finger, and keep it there alone.

Short, wide fingers also tend to be fuller at the base than at the knuckle, so measure the base when you size and choose a ring that slides over the knuckle with only a little effort.