Celebrity jewelry expert Michael O’Connor knows a thing or two about engagement rings and bridal jewelry. In this interview he answers our most frequently asked questions about engagement rings and wedding bands. Check out his answers below:

Do I have to wear my engagement ring and wedding band on the same finger?

There is no “official rule” that the engagement ring needs to be worn on the same finger as the wedding band, except for the ancient belief that the fourth finger of the left hand contains the vein that runs directly to the heart and therefore, both rings were placed there. Many women, specifically those who love some of the unusual cuts of diamonds, will opt to wear their wedding band separately from the engagement ring. That’s fine! However, remember the special significance of both and ensure that both are made from materials that will provide you a lifetime of daily wear. If you do choose to wear the rings together, remember to ensure that both rings are made from the same metal so that the more durable metal does not wear down the less durable metal.

I have short fingers- what type of engagement ring and wedding band would look best on me?

Many people think that if they have shorter fingers that it’s difficult to wear rings. Not true! The trick is to give your fingers the appearance of length and there are a couple of simple rules that you can apply to do this. First, remember that you may not have as long a distance between knuckles as people with longer hands. To give the illusion that the space is longer than it is, choose rings that are narrower in width. Specifically when you’ll want to wear your engagement ring and wedding band on the same finger, narrower rings stacked together give the visual impression that the space is longer than it is. Make sure your rings stack up against one another with no gap to maximize this affect. Additionally, if you choose a style that is crowned by a “north/south” orientation on top – perhaps a marquise cut stone or a narrower emerald cut or radiant cut (one that is longer from knuckle to tip of finger) the line that is created along the finger will create the illusion of length.

I don’t have a huge budget for our wedding bands, so what should I get?

Budgets are a very personal item when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands and I feel that a couple should buy the very best they can afford to mark the significance of becoming engaged and married. Typically, the “rule” is to apply a “two-months salary” guideline to the wedding band, and then I suggest another one-month’s salary devoted to purchasing the two wedding bands. I realize however, that for some, this may not be a possibility. I would still urge couples to remember the significance of the moment and think about the fact that these items need to be worn daily for life. With platinum being the best metal for wedding bands I also believe that many couples might be surprised at just how affordable the best can be.

Once you set a budget that works for you, research online and in-store to see if buying the best is still an option within your budget. A website that might help you determine this are Preciousplatinum.com where you will find a variety of designer styles and a calculator to help you determine budget.