If you are planning to get married soon, then you will need to think about getting wedding rings for the occasion. It is almost a must to have these given their significance to you as a couple. In Western tradition, weddings are not complete unless these symbols of matrimony have been worn by the bride and groom. You do have a wide range of options when it comes to the design. There are plenty of readymade pieces that you can look at jewellers’ shops. You could also get bespoke wedding rings London creators to design a pair for you.
How Wedding Rings Came to Be
To get a better appreciation of this tradition, let’s go back in time to recall how it all started. Evidence suggests that this is a custom handed down to us by the ancient Egyptians. At the very least, it was in their relics that the earliest examples were found. They might have adapted it from another culture as well. These date back to 6,000 years ago and were made of braided hemp and were accompanied by papyrus scrolls providing evidence that they were shared by spouses. The circle was considered by the ancients as a symbol of eternity so rings were perfect for this purpose.
The ring finger, as we call it today, was designated as such because the Egyptians believed that a special vein ran all the way from the heart to this finger. The ancient Greeks and Romans looked up to the Egyptians. Many of their cultures and traditions were absorbed by these civilizations including the rings. Hemp gave way to metal with various styles being popular throughout the ages. When Christianity was spread by the Romans throughout Europe, the tradition gained millions of adherents allowing it to flourish until today. Even countries in the East have adopted it as well.
The Rings in the Modern Era
The most popular material for these rings is 22-carat gold. White, yellow and rose gold can be used to create the perfect pair. During World War II, the use of metal for jewellery was limited by the British government. Most were designated for the creation of army vehicles, armaments, and other pieces of technology. Rings could only be forged from 9 carat gold and be no heavier than two pennyweights. Only women wore in the US until it became a dual affair in the mid-1900s. This was thanks to a successful post-war marketing campaign and changing societal attitudes that favoured equality. Of course, it will all still depend on the couple. They have the final say when it comes to the look, fit, feel, and use of these symbolic pieces.
