Is It Bad Luck to Try on Someone's Engagement Ring?

Is it bad luck to try on someone's engagement ring? If you or someone close to you has recently gotten engaged, you may have heard about this superstition. While it's unclear exactly where this idea came from, it does seem to be a pretty popular one. Many people believe that slipping someone else's engagement ring on your finger, even if it's just to see if you like the style on your hand, is a bad omen, something that should be avoided at all costs. So, is this engagement ring superstition true or just an outdated idea that can be ignored? Read on to find out.

In this article:

• Is it Bad Luck to Try on Someone's Engagement Ring?
• Is it Bad Luck to Let Someone Try on Your Engagement Ring?
• What to Say if Someone Asks to Try on Your Ring

Is it Bad Luck to Try on Someone's Engagement Ring?

There are a bunch of wedding superstitions out there, like the idea that it's bad luck to try on your wedding band before the big day and that the to-be-weds shouldn't see each other before the wedding. The myth that it's bad luck to try on someone's engagement ring is a big one.

For some people, this refers to an individual putting someone else's engagement ring on their finger, whether because they want to see how it looks or fits or just because they're curious. It's unclear where this thought came from exactly, but it's probably safe to say that it's not a bad omen. In fact, it might actually just be impolite—many people feel that asking to try someone else's engagement ring on is rude.

However, it could also come from another superstition that claims that an engagement ring should never leave a bride's hand, which is supposed to signify that a marriage won't last. Again, the origins of this are unclear, and while no one can say for sure if it is or isn't bad luck, it's probably not. It's impractical to think an engagement ring will never come off your finger before or after the wedding—sometimes it has to!

For others, this can refer to someone else's engagement ring being passed down as a sort of family heirloom—like your fiance proposing to you with his grandmother's ring—especially if the marriage ended badly or didn't last. For example, some believe that it's a bad omen that Kate Middleton wears Princess Diana's sapphire ring. Many people feel that jewelry, like any other object, can hold onto negative energy that can be passed to the new wearer. If you're concerned about this, you may want to try some sort of cleansing ritual to rid the ring of that energy for some peace of mind.

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Is it Bad Luck to Let Someone Try on Your Engagement Ring?

Some people believe that if you allow someone else to try on your engagement ring, it can bring bad luck to your marriage. This can again come from that myth that it's bad luck to remove your engagement ring from your finger.

It may also come from the belief that the other person can "steal" the positive energy from that ring. There are also some who think the other person can pass on their negative relationship energy through the ring. If you believe in positive or negative energy being passed on through inanimate objects like jewelry, then this myth might mean something to you. However, a lot of people do just pass it on as a superstition.

What to Say if Someone Asks to Try on Your Ring

Once you make your engagement announcement public, it's not uncommon for everyone around you to give your engagement ring a lot of attention. While many people will probably just ask to get a closer look at the ring, there are some people who will ask if they can try it on. It might be similar to their dream engagement ring and they want to see how it looks on their finger, or honestly, they might just be curious and a little nosey. Either way, it's okay to reply in the way you feel the most comfortable, whether you want them to try it on or not.

What to say if you don't want someone to try on your ring

Whether you're superstitious about having someone try on your ring or you just think it's rude for someone to ask this question, it's totally fine to say you don't want someone else trying your ring on. It's an extremely personal item, not to mention a very expensive one, and you don't have to pass it around if that makes you feel uncomfortable. It can be awkward to just say "no," though, so here are some responses you can give to cut the tension:

• "Sorry, I'm just really superstitious." Some people might be unaware of the myth that trying on another person's engagement ring is bad luck. Saying this can clue them in to that while also making it clear that your answer is no.
• "My sister/friend tried it on the other day and it got stuck on their finger so now I'm afraid to have anyone else try it on." If you're a non-confrontational person and you feel uncomfortable just saying "no," then you can always make up a little white lie. Saying it got stuck on someone else's finger can make the person asking realize it's a bad idea and make it clear that you don't want to take it off in a more gentle way.
• "No, I don't really like to take it off." Remember: no is a complete sentence. You don't need an excuse as to why you don't want them to try on your engagement ring.

What to say if you don't mind someone trying on your ring

Maybe you don't care if someone else wants to try on your engagement ring. That's fine too, but remember—this is a very important piece of jewelry, and you should still be cautious about letting someone else put it on. Here's what to say to ensure your ring stays safe and everyone is happy.

• "Sure, but do you know your ring size? I just don't want it to get stuck." Before letting someone else try your ring on, make sure it's not going to be too small on them. The last thing either of you want is your ring stuck on their finger—so try to make them aware of this possibility before they slip it on.
• "I don't mind if you try it on quickly." If you're on the fence about it, you can say something like this. It's a positive response that shows that you're a little hesitant about it so it might make them either change their mind or just slip it on and off in seconds.
• "Sure, are you interested in the same style?" If you don't mind someone trying your ring on but you feel confused about why they're doing so, you can always say something like this. Knowing their intentions behind the question can make it feel a little less rude and invasive, and can also spark a conversation.

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