Right-hand Ring/ Left-hand Ring… What’s the difference?

Generally speaking it has to do with aesthetics.

Have you been shopping for rings and come across the notation that a ring is either a left-hand ring or a right-hand ring, and found yourself perplexed?  You may be thinking; if it’s the right size, what does it matter?  Simply put, it just means that the ring would be more flattering on one hand over the other.  This is usually reserved for rings with a design that is not symmetrical.

The dominant lines of the ring should follow the line of your knuckles as opposed to fighting it.

If you look down at your hand, there’s a slight diagonal line to the alignment of your knuckles from your pinky finger through to the middle finger, and then the index finger drops off in the opposite direction. Here’s an image with the angles drawn in red to help you understand what I mean. (please excuse my craftsman hands – I am far from a good hand model 😉)

Left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rings feature an angle to the overall design. 

The goal is to match the angle of the ring design to the angle of the knuckles.  Therefore, a ring (as you look down at your hands with it on) where the angle of the design is lower or closer to you on the left is considered a left-hand ring.  Likewise, one where the angle of the design is lower or closer to you on the right is considered a right-hand ring.

The index fingers feature the dominant angle of the opposite hand.

So you would want a right-hand ring for your left index finger and a left-hand ring for your right index finger.  Seem a bit confusing?  Perhaps this visual will help.  These green lines represent the dominant angle of the ring that should be worn on that finger… 

If you wear an angled ring on the wrong finger, the eye is drawn out and away like an X as opposed to flowing with the natural lines of your hand. 

So why can’t you just turn the ring around?  If you try it, you’ll see the angle stays the same for many of these RH/LH delineated designs, but if the linear design of your ring is more of a triangle this may help some.

It’s important to note that not all rings have a design that can’t be worn on either hand.

Simple bands and symmetrical designs work great on either hand because they don’t draw the eye in an angle.  Bottom line, if you like the way it looks on you, that is what truly matters.  Your opinion will always trump the rule book.  😊  After all, jewelry is meant to be your link to happiness.