Wedding rings have long been considered a well-respected symbol of commitment between two individuals, and they have a long and beautiful history that spans cultures, generations, and even centuries! Most countries and societies have a personal and cultural connection to weddings, marriage, and wedding bands in general, though these symbols of commitment have evolved over time.
Wedding Ring Origins
It is widely documented and believed that the origin of wedding rings can be traced back to ancient Egyptians, as early as 3000 BCE. Egyptians often exchanged rings made of woven materials such as woven reeds, bone, leather, and ivory, and were placed on the third ring of the left hand, often believed to be the vein of love that connected straight to the heart. Additionally, in Egyptian hieroglyphics, a circle represents eternity.
Moving up in time, the earliest well-documented record of metal wedding rings has been attributed to the Roman empire. Men gave their brides rings of gold, if they could afford them, or of iron if they could not. This was seen as a symbol of commitment and a show of wealth towards the bride, and those around the couple.
Next up is the Middle Ages in medieval Europe. As the church took hold of Europe and became the most dominant force, an exchange of rings at church weddings was adopted as the common custom of the time. In the 1100s, the Pope at the time decreed that weddings in Catholic churches should include a ring in the ceremony, and the tradition was adopted by the Greek Orthodox church in the 1300s.
Georgian Era to Present Day
During the 1800s, wedding rings in Europe and the United States became flashier and more unique as discoveries of gold and precious gemstones across the world made these materials accessible and available to more people. During the Victorian era, 1837-1901, rings were more likely to be gold, and often included gemstones like sapphire, rubies, amethyst, garnet, and more. These rings were less embellished with scripting, and due to the snake engagement ring given to Queen Victoria during this time, snake shaped wedding rings weren’t entirely uncommon.
In the United States, men didn’t usually wear wedding rings until the 1940s. During World War II, men began to wear wedding rings to remind them of their wives back home. Today, there are plenty of traditions surrounding wedding rings that span cultures and even the ways that rings are worn.
One of the main variations between European and American wearing is that most English-speaking countries wear their rings on the left. While this is customary to their older traditions of their culture, other non-English-speaking European countries often wear their wedding ring on the right. In countries like Spain, wearing your ring on your left ring finger is often viewed as a sign that you are a widow/widower.
Current Wedding Band Trends
In the United States, the combination of a matching engagement and wedding band is common, but outside of the US and England, many countries don’t regard these rings as a necessary matching set.
Engagement and wedding bands have become increasingly customized and fitted to the individual. The availability of vintage and brand-new bands means that there is a much wider pool of rings to pull from. Advancements in metal crafting, plating, and alternative metals like titanium have also opened doors in the intricacy and quality of rings. Additionally, the growing prevalence of lab-grown diamonds, which are high-quality authentic diamonds created in a laboratory environment, means beautiful wedding bands are easier to customize for anyone.
If you are looking for your perfect wedding band, engagement ring, fashion ring, or other jewelry, visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue. Or call us at 619-299-1500! We would be more than happy to help you answer any questions you may have and find the perfect rings for you and your loved one.
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