CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT;
Bill Hicks engagement ring,
$9500. Jewels of the
Kimberley oval halo-set
diamond ring, set in white
gold, $6950. Mondial emerald-
cut ring, surrounded by white
and pink carre-cut diamonds,
$35,000. Keshett asscher-cut
diamond ring surrounded by
baguette-cut and round
brilliant-cut diamonds set
in white gold, $9950.
For Stockists, see page 320.CLEANING YOUR
DIAMONDS
Fill a cup with equal parts cold water
and ammonia. Soak jewellery for half
an hour, then remove and gently work
around the setting with a toothbrush.
Swish in the solution and leave to dry.which finger?
In Western countries, engagement and wedding rings are traditionally worn on the fourth finger of your left
hand, next to the pinkie. It was the ancient Romans who started this trend — they believed this finger
contained the veina amoris (vein of love), that goes straight to the heart. This is also why the wedding ring is
worn closest to the hand — so it’s nearer to the heart than the engagement ring.
In other countries, including France, Spain, Poland and the Ukraine, the engagement ring is worn on the
same finger, but on the right hand. This is another ancient custom, which is thought to be due to the Latin
word for left. Left in Latin is ‘sinistra’, meaning sinister, and so the left hand wasn’t considered to be a good
hand to hold a ring of love. In Germany, the engagement ring is worn on a woman’s left hand until she is
married, and then it is moved to the right hand.213 | bridetobe.com.auPHOTOGRAPHY: SUE FERRIS. STYLING: SARITA SHETTIGAR. BACKGROUND FABRIC SUPPLIED BY SPOTLIGHT. PROPS: STYLIST’S OWN.