Kari, what a lovely story about your mom! And yes, I too know women who wear their deceased mother's (or grandmother's) wedding band on their other hand. I would probably do the same, except I have thin, bony fingers and my mom's are like greengrocer's hands, so her ring doesn't even fit my thumb. It can't really be sized because of the engraving. Perhaps one day my daughter will be able to wear it. Although, truth be told, that ring is so much a part of my mom that I can't imagine taking it off her finger.
ButterflyLady, there is nothing weird about preferring coloured stones! I totally get that. I have a thing for rich blue sapphires, and in fact, that's what I chose for my engagement ring way back when -- but for some reason I never wore it. I only wore the gold band. Now I prefer diamonds (nothing sparkles like a diamond!), but I still think coloured stones are beautiful.