A BRIEF HISTORY OF WEDDING BANDS
If engagement rings are a physical manifestation of a beautiful promise - light and delicate, full of hope and love - then wedding rings are more solid and reliable, a symbol of determination and dedication, of feet firmly on the ground and everlasting affection.
The history of the wedding ring is very closely linked to that of the engagement ring, and they started appearing at roughly the same time.
What is particularly interesting for anthropologists and historians is that weddings bands are a common symbol and gesture of matrimony, which exists across several cultures, and which has barely changed in practice for well over two thousand years.
It almost seems as if this symbol - the unbroken circle, strengthened and beautified by the use of precious metals - has never been bettered, and is almost universally appreciated for its elegance, simplicity and truthfulness.
While gold and platinum wedding bands are by far the most popular choices today, this hasn't always been the case.
Indeed, wedding rings have been made of several different materials over the years, including leather, brass, lead ceramic and silver.
Now in the 21st century, we are seeing an increase of interest in alternative metals for men's wedding rings, perhaps representing a change in men's attitudes to jewelry, and a need to stand out from the crowd.
Another elegant and poetic trend which has arisen recently is that of couples buying beautiful and carefully designed bridal sets featuring both a wedding band and an engagement ring, which have been made in a matching style or with harmonious features.
A Brief History of Wedding Bands
If engagement rings are a physical manifestation of a beautiful promise - light and delicate, full of hope and love - then wedding rings are more solid and reliable, a symbol of determination and dedication, of feet firmly on the ground and everlasting affection. The history of the wedding ring is very closely linked to that of the engagement ring, and they started appearing at roughly the same time. What is particularly interesting for anthropologists and historians is that weddings bands are a common symbol and gesture of matrimony, which exists across several cultures, and which has barely changed in practice for well over two thousand years. It almost seems as if this symbol - the unbroken circle, strengthened and beautified by the use of precious metals - has never been bettered, and is almost universally appreciated for its elegance, simplicity and truthfulness.
While gold and platinum wedding bands are by far the most popular choices today, this hasn't always been the case. Indeed, wedding rings have been made of several different materials over the years, including leather, brass, lead ceramic and silver. Now in the 21st century, we are seeing an increase of interest in alternative metals for men's wedding rings, perhaps representing a change in men's attitudes to jewelry, and a need to stand out from the crowd. Another elegant and poetic trend which has arisen recently is that of couples buying beautiful and carefully designed bridal sets featuring both a wedding band and an engagement ring, which have been made in a matching style or with harmonious features.