Two separate rings on one finger will spin, twist and rub against each other. That is the problem almost every married person eventually notices, and “connecting” the engagement ring and wedding band is the fix.

There are four genuine ways to do it, and they are not equally good. Two are permanent, one is reversible, and one avoids the problem entirely by buying rings that already fit together. Here is how each works, what it costs you in flexibility, and how to wear the finished set properly.

First, where does the wedding band actually go?

The British convention is that the wedding band sits below the engagement ring, closer to the knuckle side of the hand and nearer the heart. The engagement ring goes on top, on the outside.

The reason usually given is that the wedding band is the ring exchanged during the ceremony, so it sits closest to you. That is why many brides move the engagement ring to the right hand for the ceremony itself, then slide it back on above the band afterwards.

It is a convention, not a requirement. Plenty of people wear the engagement ring underneath because it simply sits better that way, particularly with a curved band. If you want the answer to “does the wedding band go over the engagement ring”, it is normally under, but nobody will correct you.

Option 1: soldering (also called welding or fusing)

A jeweller joins the two rings permanently with solder, a metal alloy that melts at a lower temperature than the rings themselves. Done well, the join is almost invisible and the two rings become one piece that can never twist apart.

What it is good for: stopping spin completely, stopping the two rings wearing grooves into each other, and making a set easier to put on and take off as one.

What you give up:

• You can no longer wear either ring on its own, ever.
• Resizing gets more complicated and more expensive.
• If the rings are different metals, or one is 9ct and one is 18ct, the join needs care and the colour match may not be perfect.
• Cleaning and future repairs are trickier, because heat now affects both rings at once.
• Undoing it is possible but involves cutting and refinishing both rings.

Our honest advice: do not solder in the first year. Fingers change, tastes change, and quite a few people discover they like wearing the band alone for work. Wait until you are certain.

Option 2: a ring wrap or ring guard

A ring wrap is a separate piece, often a U-shape or a pair of bands joined at the base, that the engagement ring sits inside. It holds everything in alignment without any permanent alteration.

It is a good choice if you want the joined look but are not ready to commit, or if the two rings have an awkward gap between them that you want filled. The downside is that a wrap is a third piece of metal on the finger and can feel bulky.

Option 3: a ring adjuster or bonder

These are small, cheap, non-permanent devices. A ring bonder is a tiny clip or bar fitted between the two shanks. A sizing bar or spring insert is fitted inside a single ring to stop it spinning.

They are worth knowing about because they solve the most common complaint, which is not the gap between rings but a ring rotating on a finger with a large knuckle. Fitting a sizing bar to the engagement ring often removes the problem without touching the pair at all.

Option 4: buy rings designed to fit together

This is the option most people wish they had known about first. A bridal set is an engagement ring and a wedding band made as a pair, so the band is shaped to sit flush against the centre stone with no gap and no fighting.

There is no soldering, no wrap and no compromise. You can still wear either ring alone, and they still line up perfectly when worn together.

Our Curved Pear Cut Bridal Set and the Teardrop Pear Cut Bridal Set in Rose Gold both do exactly this, with the band curved to follow the point of the pear stone. If you already own the engagement ring, a shaped band bought separately does much the same job: the Chevron Pear Cut Wedding Band in Rose Gold has a V-shape that nests around a pointed stone, and the Curved Round Cut Wedding Band in Yellow Gold does the same for a rounder setting. Prices correct at the time of writing.

Method	Permanent?	Best for	Main drawback
Soldering	Yes	Stopping spin and rub for good	Cannot wear the rings separately; harder to resize
Ring wrap or guard	No	Trying the joined look first	Adds bulk to the finger
Ring bonder or sizing bar	No	A ring that spins on a large knuckle	Visible inside the band; can need refitting
Matched bridal set	No	Buying both rings together from the start	Only works if you choose the pair at the outset

How to wear a wedding ring set properly

Once the two rings are working together, a few small habits keep the set looking right.

• Put them on in the right order. Band first, so it ends up closest to the knuckle, then the engagement ring above it.
• Match the metals if you can. A softer metal worn against a harder one wears away faster. Two 18ct gold rings wear evenly. An 18ct band against a platinum engagement ring will lose metal on the gold side over the years.
• Watch the contact point. Even matched rings polish a faint flat spot where they touch. This is normal and can be polished out at a service.
• Do not add a third ring in the middle. If you want an eternity or anniversary band as well, wear it on the outside of the engagement ring or on the other hand. Sandwiching a delicate band between two others crushes it.
• Check the claws once a year. Rings that rub against each other loosen stones sooner than a single ring does.

What if the two rings just will not sit flush?

This is very common with pear, marquise, oval and low-set solitaire engagement rings, where the stone or the setting dips below the top of the shank and blocks a straight band.

You have three routes. Buy a shaped band, curved or V-shaped, that follows the outline of the stone. Have a straight band notched by a jeweller so it clears the setting. Or wear the band on the other hand, which sounds like giving up but is a genuinely popular answer, particularly with large stones.

What we would avoid is forcing a straight band hard up against a pointed stone. The tip of a pear or marquise diamond is the most fragile part of it, and constant contact with metal is exactly how those tips chip.

Frequently asked questions

How do you connect an engagement ring and wedding band?

Four ways: soldering them permanently, using a ring wrap or guard, fitting a bonder or sizing bar, or buying a matched bridal set that was designed to fit together from the start. Soldering is the only permanent option.

Should I solder my engagement ring and wedding band together?

Only if you are sure you will never want to wear them separately. It stops spinning and rubbing completely, but it makes resizing harder and locks the pair together for good. Wait at least a year before deciding.

Does the wedding band go over or under the engagement ring?

Traditionally under, closer to the knuckle, with the engagement ring above it. It is a convention rather than a rule, and comfort should win if the rings sit better the other way round.

Where does the wedding band go with an engagement ring during the ceremony?

Many people move the engagement ring to the right hand before the ceremony, so the band can be placed straight onto a bare finger. The engagement ring goes back on top afterwards.

Can you wear a wedding ring set with a gap between the rings?

Yes, and plenty of people do. A visible gap is only a problem if it bothers you. If it does, a shaped band or a notched straight band will close it without altering the engagement ring.

Getting the pair right

The easiest way to avoid all of this is to choose both rings together, which is why matched sets exist. If you are still at that stage, have a look at our bridal sets, or browse the wedding ring collection for a shaped band to go with a ring you already own.

Every piece is hand-made in solid gold or platinum with lab-grown diamonds and a free IGI certificate on the centre stone, and comes with free insured UK delivery and 30-day returns. If nothing quite fits around your engagement ring, send us a photograph and we will design a band to match it at no extra design cost from our workshop in North Harrow, London.