The use of the left-hand pinky finger as the wedding ring and royal signet or initial ring of the British Royal Family is an ironclad tradition dating back to the sons of Queen Victoria, who favored pinky rings in imitation of their mother as well as following German custom.
This large gold band is called a signet ring, or a gentleman's ring, and is often worn on the pinky of one's nondominant hand. Bloomberg reports that signet rings have been used since Old Testament times. They are engraved with a family crest or personal signature, which can reflect the owner's social status.
While a band on your ring finger communicates relationship status or affection, the pinky finger does the complete opposite! A ring on this finger is a sign of self-love versus relationship love.
Before King Charles III, the ring was worn by his uncle, Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, who was the Prince of Wales before he ascended the throne. According to the blog He Spoke Style, the signet ring is traditionally worn on the pinky finger of the non-dominant hand.
Index Finger Rings – Jupiter
People of high rank – kings, dignitaries, wore an index finger ring. It symbolizes power and authority. Jupiter was the head honcho – the king of the gods. Men who wear a ring on this finger are generally unapologetic and confident in their leadership.
Sometimes, it's just a way for them to show off their financial status. Pinky rings are historically only worn by members of a royal family or patriarch, so wearing a pinky ring is a way to emulate the same opulence.
"He's never worn any. He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It's all down to personal preference." Keep reading to see how and where the other Royals wear their rings.
Use in the British Royal Family
The use of the left-hand pinky finger as the wedding ring and royal signet or initial ring of the British Royal Family is an ironclad tradition dating back to the sons of Queen Victoria, who favored pinky rings in imitation of their mother as well as following German custom.
While it is now common practice for both the bride and groom to give each other a ring as a sign of their eternal devotion, a royal aide explained that Prince William's decision not to wear a ring was 'simply down to personal preference'.
While the style is often considered a gentleman's ring, it's favored by royal women, too: Princess Diana wore a signet ring given to her by Charles before their wedding, and Meghan Markle and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, both have their own symbolic signet rings.
Right pinky finger - Professional status
Sometimes wearing a ring on the right, however, symbolises professional status. A ring on the pinky can be a symbol of graduating with a degree in a specific field, usually in engineering or ecology.
Many people like to place a signet ring on the pinkie finger of the non-dominant hand, so if you're right-handed, the pinky signet ring goes on the left pinkie. Traditionally, many women avoid wearing a signet ring on their wedding finger, so a signet ring on the pinkie is a suitable substitute.
Most often, however, unmarried women who wear a ring on their left ring finger wear it as a symbol of a promise. So for this special little finger, we recommend the best of our romantic engagement and wedding rings that are just as precious as the occasion!
This swelling is usually caused by a fluid retention in these areas, as per the NHS' website. However, the King's hands have been a topic of discussion since the day of his birth, as his late mother the Queen observed in a letter to her former music teacher.
Following Diana's death in August 1997, the sapphire ring was inherited by her son Prince Harry, who eventually offered it to his older brother Prince William before he proposed to Kate Middleton with it in 2010.
Diana and Charles sadly separated in 1992, however the late Princess carried on wearing bother her engagement and wedding rings until 1996, which is when the divorce was finalised.
She says: "These gestures reflect high levels of affection and attraction, so there might be a practical reason to avoid the hand clasp. "As senior royals at events, the hand clasp might be seen as a clumsy ritual when there are many hands to shake and so many people to greet one at a time."
In most cultures, a man's thumb ring is a symbol of wealth or power, and they are typically large or thick to reflect this and to accommodate your thumb comfortably. Because it is farther away from the others, a thumb ring is typically the natural choice for men who want to wear numerous rings on the same hand.
She also wore her family's signet ring which she would wear in combination with her other rings. As a teenager, Diana wore a gold choker with a 'D' pendant.
During the 1950's and 60's signet rings were worn to signify membership of the gay community; both lesbians and homosexual men wore such rings. Such a fashion statement meant that people didn't have to confess to their sexuality verbally, and they could simply wear this ring as a symbol of their sexual preference.
The jewel in question is a diamond pinky ring made by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz, worth an estimated $62,000. American high jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz is the woman behind Hollywood's most spectacular diamond baubles, becoming the third generation to take over her family's diamond business in 1989.
The Duchess of Cambridge was apparently not meant to receive the ring at all, as upon Princess Diana's passing, and when her sons turned 18, the ring was passed onto Prince Harry for his future wife, while Prince William got his mother's Cartier ring.
Kate wears the 18ct white gold and diamond eternity ring on her wedding finger alongside her world-famous sapphire engagement ring and her Welsh gold wedding band.
Most men, if they are married, will wear their wedding ring on the left hand and a style ring on their right-hand pinky finger or right-hand ring finger.
Tony honors his other family by proudly wearing a gold wedding band on the ring finger of his left hand. The mobster's mobster, Tony would never leave the house without his gold pinky ring, which flashes a ruby and diamond clustered together from his right pinky.