Wedding Bands

Wedding bands are complimentary to diamond rings, usually matching the diamond setting ring. The first think to look at when purchasing a band is the material from which the ring will be made. Whether one likes gold, silver, white gold or platinum, wedding bands can be embellished with stones, gold borders, and come in different ring sizes.

For example, a wedding band can contain a set of round-cut diamonds or could be styled with a three-ring with three princess-cut diamonds, or even covered with several little diamonds. To add more uniqueness, you could also add a favorite gemstone and alternate it with diamonds. There are numerous possibilities for special designs.

Men can also have some fun in shopping for jewelry. The current selection for a groom’s ring is as large as for females’, with options ranging from matching wedding rings, to individualized styles. The current trend for men’s bands is getting bigger and more detailed items. Instead of plain gold or platinum, the male opts for additional engraving, or even a flash of diamonds! Though it’s not as showy as the female’s engagement ring, the groom’s diamond ring can have a diamond set in the ring instead of raised.

Some facts about wedding rings can be traced back to different traditions and cultures. Wedding rings weren’t always worn on the fourth finger. Wedding bands were once worn on the index finger, at the time of the Greeks, on the thumb by Indians and finally on the fourth finger, by the Egyptians, who had a belief that there is a “love vein” (vena amoris) which connects the heart with the fourth finger of the left hand. Thus, this tradition remained until today, together with the basic shape of an engagement ring. In Rome, the gold ring became the traditional symbol of commitment. It was not until the 16th century that men began wearing a wedding ring.

Other wedding rings with deeper roots were used as themes for wedding parties and banquets, such as the Irish Claddaugh Ring. This ring’s design includes a crown, heart, and hands held together, representing friendship, love and eternity. The ring was first invented in the 16th century, and it is both worn during the dating stage and after marriage, by turning the point of the heart towards the body after marriage.

The Jewish Wedding Band takes a more traditional approach with a gold ring that has no ‘extras’ in order to represent purity. The tradition started in the 7th century and is called ‘kinyan'. The Russian Wedding Ring is made of three rings linked together to represent the Holy Trinity. The Gimmal Ring, also from the 16th century, is a European tradition in which three golden toned rings are exchanged starting from the engagement period and until the wedding ceremony. The third ring is taken by a witness and returned in the ceremony, often kept by the groom.

In many Asian cultures, the wedding band is not necessity, though there is usually an exchange of jade jewelry representing acceptance and good luck in the family. Moreover, pearls are also a common exchange by the groom and the bride’s family, and later the bride’s father will give her the pearl.

Other famous Rings, such as the Fede Ring and Poise Ring, were originated in old and traditional ceremonies. The Fede Ring appeared in the early 1600’s. It means faith, and consists of two rings that can be both separated during the engagement and joined together on the bride’s finger during the ceremony. The Posie Ring came from Egypt and contains poetry words engraved on the ring. This type of ring was widely accepted in the Western tradition during the Victorian period and is common until today.