Not everyone expects their marriage proposal to involve the Fire Department and a sewer drain. However, John Iverson from Denver, USA, was making his proposal to his girlfriend at 9pm on Valentines Day when he accidentally dropped one of the rings he was carrying as he took the engagement ring out of his pocket.

As well as the beautiful diamond engagement ring John was using to propose, he also had his girlfriend’s mother’s wedding band in his pocket. The precious wedding band is said to have fallen to the ground and rolled through a grate into the city sewer system and looked to be lost forever.

John Iverson didn’t give up and after around forty five minutes of searching the Denver Fire Department found the missing ring. Understandably delighted to have the wedding band retrieved and that his girlfriend had agreed to marry him, John Iverson is quoted as saying “I was overjoyed by the fact she said yes, so the fact that the ring went in there…I was upset but I was still happy.”

Rings can be worn on any finger of your left or right hand, however in many countries and cultures there are fixed traditions that have been around for centuries.

In the UK, when becoming engaged, a woman may receive an Engagement Ring to wear on her fourth finger (the finger between the little finger and the middle finger) on her left hand. This finger is known as the ring finger or digitus quartus.

Her engagement ring might contain a gemstone, such as a Diamond Engagement Ring or a sapphire engagement ring. It might match her Birth Month or perhaps her favourite colour.

The vein in the left hand ring finger was said to connect to the heart and so wearing a ring given by a friend or lover on the ring finger was a romantic gesture.

The ring finger on the left hand is also used to wear a wedding band or Wedding Ring. For men, a single wedding ring shows his love and committment to his wife. For women, an engagement ring and wedding ring shows love and committment to her husband.

Other rings, such as dress rings, eternity rings, Signet Rings and wishbone rings can be worn on other fingers. Typically a man will wear his signet ring on his little finger with the crest or design on top.

There are many beautiful rings to choose from at Rings.org.uk. Take time to browse the collection and choose the best engagement ring or pair of wedding rings for yourself and your partner. Treat yourself to a ring or find a special ring for a friend.