A wedding has a lot of elements that reflect the celebration of two souls coming together in holy matrimony. While the beautifully decorated venue and heartwarming vows remain only a cherished memory later, the wedding rings remain a long-lasting reminder of a couple’s shared journey. This token of marriage is an inseparable part of a wedding. Still, many do not know how this tradition came into existence. So, here we will understand the significance of the wedding ring, its tradition, history, origin, tips to choose the perfect wedding ring, and more!
Significance of the Wedding Ring: Social, Emotional, & Historic
The origin of wedding ring traditions goes back over 3000 years. The evidence suggests that the ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures initially practiced exchanging wedding rings. In ancient times, the ring was usually made of reeds and hemp interweaved together and was put on the fourth finger of the left hand.
So, why were wedding rings worn on the left hand? The tradition came from the belief that the veins of the wedding ring finger ran directly to the heart, which symbolizes love. Over the decades, wedding rings have evolved from reads and hemp woven together to ever-lasting diamond rings. Although the style has evolved dramatically through time, the symbolism of a wedding ring still showcases eternal love and commitment.
Some of the major implications of wearing wedding rings include:
1. Symbolism of Commitment and Eternity
The wedding ring is the physical representation of a couple’s commitment to one another. The rings represent the vows the couple exchanged at their wedding. Wearing the ring signifies that you are committed to the vows for your partner. Likewise, the ring’s circular shape also symbolizes the eternal love for your other half, which has no beginning or ending.
2. Markers of Emotional Connection
The wedding rings are more than just tangible objects. They showcase a passionate, emotional connection between the newlywed couples. Every time you look at your wedding ring, it will remind you of the love and togetherness you share with your spouse. All in all, the rings are markers of the joy and excitement of your marriage that you will take forward in your journey together.
3. Reminder of Matrimonial Responsibilities
A wedding is a big step in a couple’s life that comes with tremendous responsibilities towards each other. The moment you exchange the rings, your matrimonial responsibilities begin. You will be responsible for each other’s well-being in every aspect through love and support in all facets of your lives. And the constant reminder of these matrimonial duties toward your spouse is your wedding ring. It will serve as a reminder for you to make decisions in favor of your marriage.
4. Public Declaration of Your Committed Marriage
The wedding rings are the only visible signs that tell you are in a committed marriage with your spouse. It is a sign of pride for the married couple, and they publicly declare their marital status. This visible symbol of marriage not only offers a sense of togetherness for the couple but also declares their loyalty and fidelity.
5. Establishes Connection with One’s Culture and Tradition
The act of exchanging wedding rings is ingrained in centuries-old traditions and culture. In ancient times, the tradition of wedding ring exchange began as a symbol of assurance of fidelity and eternal love. This cultural significance is still upheld today. Therefore, the wedding rings mark a new chapter in the couple’s lives, representing a cultural celebration of their marital prosperity.
Different Types of Wedding Rings
Over the years, wedding rings have hugely evolved in terms of style. Today, you can choose from a plethora of different types of wedding rings that best suit your preferences. Some of the most common types of wedding rings include the following:
1. Classic Wedding Bands
They are plain wedding rings, typically made up of yellow gold or platinum. The smooth metallic finish of the ring reflects a blend of simplicity and elegance. Some classic wedding bands may also feature a textured or hammered surface finish.
2. Eternity Wedding Rings
The eternity wedding symbolizes eternal love, which mainly comprises diamonds throughout the ring’s circumference. As per your preference, you may also choose a half-eternity ring that has the stones only halfway through the circumference. Likewise, you can use other gemstones instead of diamonds for an eternity ring.
3. Classic Diamond Rings
The diamond ring for a wedding is a classic and timeless choice of style that exudes elegance. These rings come in a variety of styles with varying sizes and numbers of diamonds attached to them. The diamonds used in the ring are mainly round cut, oval cut, cushion cut, and more.
4. Sapphire Wedding Rings
These are beautiful-looking rings that are topped with sparkling blue sapphires. The sapphire is mainly infused in white gold or platinum rings. Besides the stunning look, this type of ring also symbolizes nobility, sincerity, and faithfulness.
5. Infinity Wedding Rings
This type of wedding ring showcases an infinity sign around the circumference of the ring. The design of the ring features a center stone, either in a gold or platinum ring. The infinity in the ring symbolizes infinite love and commitment between the couple.
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Tips to Choose the Perfect Wedding Ring
From the venue selection and dress fittings to the theme of the wedding and other minute details, a lot goes into wedding planning. On top of that, not knowing how to choose the right wedding ring can add another challenge. So, here we present some tips you can follow to pick the perfect wedding ring for your special day:
Tip 1: Specify Your Budget for the Wedding Ring
While you are focusing on the important elements of the wedding, such as the venue, guests, etc., you may forget to separate the necessary budget for the rings. Likewise, you may even fall short of wedding ring expenses while preparing for the wedding. Therefore, it is important to specify your wedding ring budget early on.
Tip 2: Make Sure to Shop for the Rings Early
In the hustle and bustle of planning for your special day, you may not have enough time to shop for your wedding ring. Exploring and choosing the right ring may take longer than expected. So, in order to avoid a last-minute rush, make sure to shop for the rings beforehand.
Tip 3: Choose the Ring that Goes Well with Your Engagement Ring
All couples may not have an engagement ring. However, if you do, it’s better to choose a wedding ring that complements the style of your engagement ring. Usually, both engagement and wedding rings go on top of each other. So, choose the wedding ring in such a way that its overall design sits well with the other ring.
Tip 4: Pick the Ring that is Comfortable to Wear
A wedding ring is something you wear every day. For that reason, it should be comfortable to put on. For a comfortable wedding ring, you should look into its size, shape, and the number and size of stones on the ring.
Tip 5: Select the Ring that Fits Your Overall Style
Make sure to select the ring that reflects your personality and style. A wedding ring is an everyday accessory. Therefore, choosing the one that gels well with your style is like a cherry on top. For your unique style, you can also customize the ring to your liking. You can choose between different metals and stones to suit your style.
Tip 6: Shop with Your Partner
It’s better to shop as a couple to ensure your wedding rings complement each other. Shopping together will help you get a closer insight into your partner’s preferences. Above all, shopping for the ring together can offer you an opportunity for a lovely day out with your loved one.
Tip 7: Ask the Jeweler
You may not have all sorts of knowledge about wedding rings. In such a situation, you can consult with the jeweler and ask which ring would be the right choice for you. Their expert advice will help you tremendously.
How to Take Care of Your Wedding Ring?
The weddings are meant to last a lifetime. However, it requires occasional maintenance work, i.e., twice a year, to maintain its longevity and appearance. Some essential tips for caring for your wedding ring include the following:
Tip 1: Store Securely
It is good to keep the ring in a specially designed storage box for your jewelry. Rings are delicate, and storing them haphazardly in random places may cause damage to the ring.
Tip 2: Regularly Clean It
As you wear your wedding ring every day, it’s more likely to get dirty with dust, oils, or other contaminants. It may take away the shine of the ring. So, using a soft brush or mild soap to clean up the gap in a few days is important.
Tip 3: Protect it from Damage
As wedding rings are delicate, their exposure to harsh chemicals or physical impact can lead to significant damage. Therefore, remove the ring and keep it in a secure place before engaging in cleaning, exercising, or any other activities.
Tip 4: Take it for Professional Maintenance
At least once every six months, it’s important to take your wedding ring to a jeweler for professional inspection and cleanup. Sometimes, at-home maintenance may not be sufficient to maintain the good condition of the ring.
Difference Between Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring
Now that we know the significance of the wedding ring, there’s also another special ring called the engagement ring. Both engagement rings and wedding rings have specific purposes. As the name suggests, one is worn during the engagement, while the other is worn during the wedding. However, using different rings for engagements and weddings is not a mandatory tradition.
There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding these two rings. So, here we present some major differences between a wedding ring and an engagement ring.
| Engagement Ring | Wedding Ring |
| An engagement ring is shared during the proposal for marriage. | A wedding ring is shared during the marriage ceremony. |
| It signifies the commitment to marriage. | It signifies an official marital bond and commitment to eternal togetherness. |
| It is worn on the fourth finger of your left hand. | It is stacked over the engagement ring on the fourth finger of your left hand. |
| Sharing an engagement ring takes place in a private space during the moment of an intimate proposal. | Exchanging wedding rings takes place in front of a large gathering with the couple’s friends and family. |
| It does not involve priests or officiants. | It involves a priest or officiant who officiates the couple’s marriage in a ritualistic manner. |
| The engagement ring tradition is fairly new. | The use of wedding rings dates back to the ancient Egyptian era. |
Explore the Wedding Rings Online
Wedding rings are integral aspects of any wedding, representing love, faithfulness, and commitment. This small piece of jewelry holds massive cultural and emotional significance for newlywed couples. Therefore, it’s crucial to take your time and explore the perfect wedding ring and other pieces of jewelry online. In order to make it easier for you, the Online Jewelry Store offers a versatile range of wedding ring collections at your disposal. Our wide selection ranges from all types of wedding rings to fashionable necklaces. So, explore our platform and place your order today!