Engagement Ring Styles

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Before we look at Engagement ring styles, let’s look at some history and traditions. Wearing wedding rings is an ancient European custom that dates back to Roman times and is likely even older. When marriage first developed it was a business contract meant to join two families for political or material gain rather than the joining of two lovers. Love and affection were not originally even considerations. The tradition of wearing wedding bands extends to this time and originally symbolized an exchange of money or property between two families. As time passed, traditions changed and marriages came to be seen as the joining of two lovers to form a new family and the wearing of wedding rings became a symbol of themes such as undying love and devotion.

Engagement Ring Styles: the gift of giving

Like other elements of a wedding ceremony, the ring is shrouded in ancient and modern traditions. It is customarily the last gift in a series that begins with the engagement ring. During the actual ceremony it is often entrusted to a member of the wedding party such as the best man or maid of honor or it may be carried during the opening procession by a young ring-barer. Medieval wedding vows such as those found in the prayer book of the English King Edward VI, reflect marriage’s original character following ‘with this ring I thee wed’ with ‘this gold and silver I give thee’ and an actual gift of gold and silver coins. Let’s move on to looking engagement ring styles ….

Men’s Wedding Bands

Most religions don’t have any rules regarding the metal for men’s wedding bands. Although usually made of gold or gold alloy, titanium, nickel silver, stainless steel, tungsten carbide, and titanium are also popular choices. Metals that tarnish over time such as brass, silver, and copper are not widely used because they lack the sense of permanence associated with gold and other metals. Typically the rings made for women are smaller than mens wedding bands.

The traditional men’s wedding bands is made of gold and is still the most popular style of wedding ring. However, it is not the only option. Couples from French speaking countries often use three interlaced rings standing for the Christian concepts of ‘love, faith, and hope’. Other men’s wedding bands decorated with Celtic knots symbolizing continuity and oneness or the Claddagh style standing for fidelity are popular amongst people of Irish, Scottish, and other Celtic heritages.

The wedding ring and engagement ring are the same in many European countries. Its status changes when it is engraved with information such as the names of the bride and groom and the date of the wedding and the hand it is worn on switches. When the wedding ring and engagement ring are separate there are a few options during the ceremony. Some women leave their engagement ring on the left hand and have the groom slide the wedding ring over it. Some women wear the wedding ring and engagement ring on different hands. Some simply hand the engagement ring over to a bride’s maid and put it back on after the ceremony.

Men’s Wedding Bands: History

Beginning in the 19th Century, jewelers began encouraging giving men wedding bands but it wasn’t seen much until after the Second World War. A double ring ceremony is now part of more than 80% of wedding ceremonies with the additional presentation of a men’s wedding bands.

The hand womens and mens wedding rings are worn on varies by tradition. The right hand has been the traditional hand for making oaths since ancient times. Wearing a wedding ring on this hand symbolizes the sincerity of the oath. However, in some cultures wedding rings are worn on the left hand because the so-called vein of love is thought to pass through the left ring finger. How the ring is worn can also vary. Some traditions state that wedding ring should be worn below the engagement ring so that it is closest to the heart. While others state that it should be worn above the engagement ring, sealing the engagement into the marriage. Another common tradition is to wear the wedding ring alone and put the engagement ring styles someplace for safe keeping.

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Engagement Ring Styles,Traditions | Mens Wedding Bands

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