Wedding Rings Throughout History
Wedding rings or wedding bands are typically a finger ring, which signifies that the wearer of the ring is now married. Typically it is typically made of silver, gold, or some other precious metal, and is commonly forged on a round or square metal surface. Wedding rings and bands came in a variety of styles and prices, depending on the materials used in the fabrication of the band. Popular metals used include gold, silver, platinum, titanium, and stainless steel. Platinum wedding rings have become increasingly popular in recent years, due to their unique feature of never tarnishing or scratching, and because platinum is also hypoallergenic.
The majority of couples choose engagement or wedding rings which incorporate real diamonds in their design, in either an irregular arrangement, with multiple facets, or in a pattern. The most popular type of diamond engagement ring is the round brilliant cut, which is said to have a high probability of being passed on from one generation to the next. Some people prefer to design their own bands with various shapes and cuts of diamonds, using different gemstones. For example, while a brilliant cut might be inscribed with six diamonds, a solitaire ring can also use a single diamond for the center stone, surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds.
Many couples choose to exchange traditional white gold wedding rings, rather than the more popular white diamond. They do this as a sign of respect towards the woman who will be the bride at the wedding, but the symbolism behind the choice of a different color is not lost on modern day couples. While both gold and white diamond stones have symbolic meaning behind them, the difference lies mainly in their appearance. White gold makes a shiny, radiant surface, which many find more aesthetically pleasing than the other variety.
Other commonly exchanged bands between partners include engagement rings, wedding rings, and promise rings. An engagement ring, as the name suggests, is used to symbolize an engagement to a specific individual, and is often used in place of a wedding band. The birthstone for the second person in an engagement or wedding circle is also often the “ring” used for this purpose, as it represents the same concept of commitment as does an engagement ring. A promise ring, on the other hand, is used as a later piece of jewelry to symbolize a love of someone else that doesn’t yet mean a legal marriage.
For those who are not looking for the symbolism behind an engagement and wedding rings, there are plenty of styles to choose from. Eternity bands, for example, symbolize eternity because they are constantly worn throughout history. Eternity bands can be easily worn with almost anything, although they look best when the metals used in their construction are relatively low-cost. Another style of band that is common throughout history is the lobster claw style band. These bands consist of a lobster claw embedded in a larger band, making for a surprisingly comfortable style.
Throughout history, both metals and stones have been used for wedding rings. Over the years, however, different types of stone, and even precious metals themselves, have become more popular for use in wedding rings. Nowadays, nearly anyone can choose to use any type of gemstone that they like in order to design their own special ring. Many couples are even choosing colored gemstones and rare metals for their wedding rings. This trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future.