As an aside to my previous post, a good friend of mine just asked my opinion on a ring. He bought his wife a $9000 engagement ring and a $700 platinum wedding band. Now she has decided that she would like a third band with 7 channel diamonds on it. It's priced $2400 at Tiffanys but at least he is smart enough to realize that Tiffanys is a complete sham. There is no real difference between their jewelry and other reputable jewelers. The only difference is the price. This is why women who have Tiffany rings have to announce, "it's from Tiffanys" because no one would know otherwise. Of course they'll tell anyone who'll listen which makes it all the more annoying. Anyway, I told my friend that I think having a third ring on the ring finger kind of lessens the symbolism of the other two rings.

Here was his response: "I really don't have a problem with the three rings. The engagement ring won't be overshadowed and that one was the one that matters."

I think the way things were originally designed, it is the wedding ring that is supposed to matter. Ironically the wedding band is the least expensive. What does the engagement ring really symbolize? A desire to get married. Once you get married the ring really symbolizes nothing, aside from showing how whipped your boyfriend was.