Wedding Rings and Why We Wear Them

History of the wedding ring

Wedding rings make two souls One.

A wedding band is a symbol of marriage.This potent symbol of unity sends an unmistakable message about our marital status.

In early Roman times they used iron, for its symbolic strength. But that has been replaced in the third century with silver and gold because of its beauty while iron rusts.

Platinum

Platinum Diamond Wedding Band (0.25 ct. tw. H color SI2clarity)

Product Description
A platinum band with a high polished finish sparkles with 12 round brilliant cut diamonds channel set across its face. Elegant and unassuming, this lovely band is a fabulous choice for a wedding band or an anniversary band. Terrific alone, it makes a stunning partner for an engagement ring.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009)

History of Egyptian wedding ring.

As chance has it, the oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt, about 4800 years ago.

In early Egypt, the ring was linked with the supernatural, a never-ending band linked with eternal love.
For the Romans later, the ring's acceptance by a young lady was a binding, legal agreement and the girl was no longer free. Today we accept the ring as part of a religious ceremony when we marry in church.

Gold

14k White Gold Comfort Fit Men's Band, 6mm.

Modest and uncomplicated, solid wedding bands are the consummate symbol of love. This 6mm 14k white gold is a perfect fit for the man whose minimalist ring style speaks more about his commitment to love than he may be willing to express. Matching women's band is also available.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009)

14k Yellow Gold Celtic Women's Wedding Band, 8.5mm.

An ornate celtic wedding ring that is sure to work its magic on her. In highly polished 14k yellow gold, this 8.5mm women?s band is certain to get rave notices.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009)

Modern Wedding Traditions

As time passes traditions change and, today, it is not only the brides who wear rings as a symbol of their lasting affection, but the majority of men also choose to wear this badge of fidelity and commitment.

Wear wedding ring left or right hand?
Most people wear the wedding band on the left hand. However, some European women wear the ring on their right hand. Some Scandinavian women wear three rings, one each for engagement, marriage and motherhood.

Jewish brides have the ring placed on their index finger, since that is the finger with which they point to the Torah as they read.

Diamond

14K White Gold Men's Eternity Diamond Band Ring

Simplicity and elegance come together to create a beautiful design! Whether used as a wedding band or as a fashion piece, this dazzling ring will add a touch of sophistication to your look. Crafted in 14k gold, it features a 40 round-cut diamonds in bead settings. Ring has a polished finish with a small bead detail between the diamonds and the center of the ring. Total diamond weight is 0.40 .
Product Details

Amazon Price: (as of 12/03/2009)

0.47 Ct.T.W. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds, 14Kt. Two Tone Gold. Diamond Wedding Ring Set, Semi-Mount Setting (without Center Stone)

0.47Ct.T.W. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds, 14Kt. Two Tone Gold. Diamond Wedding Ring Set

Amazon Price: $1,249.00 (as of 12/03/2009)

Early Wedding Thimbles.

Thimbles?

Puritans refused to wear wedding rings because they considered jewelry frivolous, yet in Colonial times, couples exchanged "wedding thimbles" - a useful and practical gift, and therefore acceptable - but after the wedding they often cut off the bottoms thereby creating rings.
Whatever the culture, whatever the century, people have recognized the importance of sealing their unions with rings.

Planning

The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World: The Ultimate Source of Ideas, Advice, and Relief for the Bride and Groom and Those Who Love Them.

by: Carley Roney

From Publishers Weekly
Bookstore shelves brim with wedding guides, and while this one might not offer earth-shattering planning advice, it's got just about everything a future bride and groom need to prepare for the big day.
The book addresses the basics, the tiny details and the things that most young couples don't realize that they need to know. Among the chapters are tips to take couples from pre-engagement to post-honeymoon planning, snapshots and stories of real weddings and answers to wedding FAQs, as well as general advice.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/03/2009)

Why the third finger of the left hand?

There are many theories as to why this particular finger came to symbolize marriage. Both the ancient Romans and Egyptians believed that a vein - called the vena amoris in Latin - ran directly from that finger to the heart.

In medieval England, a bridegroom would slide the ring part way up his bride's thumb, index and middle finger, saying "In the name of the father, the son, and the holy ghost" as he passed each one. He then put the ring on the next available finger - the third finger of the left hand. This practice was finally formalized in the 1500's when Henry VIII's son authored The Book of Common Prayer

Beautiful

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Do men wear wedding rings?

The practice of men wearing wedding rings is relatively new. Up until the middle of the twentieth century, it was mostly only women who wore wedding rings, perhaps a reminder of the days when women were regarded as property, or perhaps a harmless custom akin to women wearing engagement rings that their husbands do not. When World War Two broke out and many young men faced lengthy separations from their wives, men began wearing wedding bands as a symbol of their marriages and a reminder of their wives.

It was pure romance, a gesture of love and affection that has happily survived into modern times. The vast majority of men wear wedding bands these days.

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