With This Ring, I Thee Wed
The first recorded evidence of a diamond engagement ring was that which was given to Mary of Burgundy, the daughter of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy from 1467 to 1477, by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, afterward the Emperor Maximilian I. It is said that Maximilian, fearful that his proposal would be declined by Mary, who had many suitors from which to choose, was advised to present Mary with a diamond upon his proposal. He did and they were married at Ghent on August 18, 1477.
Originating with the Ancient Egyptians, the "wedding ring" was used to signify ownership; upon marriage, the woman became the property of her husband for "eternity," as represented by the symbol or the circle. Traditionally, although not true for all cultures, the wedding ring is placed upon the 3rd finger of the left hand because it was believed that the vein running through that finger was directly connected to the heart, a belief also originating in ancient Egypt. King Edward VI of England designated the third finger of the left hand as the "ring finger" and in 1549 the Book of Common Prayer designated the left hand as the marriage hand.
The first wedding rings were not the expensive showpieces they are today. Today, most recommendations for the base cost of an engagement ring, typically worn with the wedding band as a set or moved to the right hand after the wedding band is placed on the left, is two to three months the groom's salary. In Ancient Egypt, however, the wedding ring was made of braided grass or hemp, leather, bone, or ivory and needed to be replaced frequently due to wear. Eventually metal was used and the wedding ring began to take on more of the role of expressing one's wealth. The first metal rings were crudely made and, perhaps to offset their clumsy, awkward construction, jewels were placed in them. Early Romans used iron to symbolize the "strength" of a man's love. Later, gold or silver were used to indicate that a man "trusted" his betrothed with his valuable belongings; the "key" shape also became fashionable to further this symbolism. Gemstones were eventually added and silver became fashionable for a brief period in the seventeenth century, but gold has long since become the mainstay.
Today, yellow gold is the most popular option for wedding rings, 24k being the purest and softest; for this reason, 14k or 18k are frequently used. Platinum is also popular for it's silver color, purity (as it is not mixed with lesser metals as is gold), and durability. Platinum, however, is much more expensive than gold and, for this reason, white gold is commonly used for those seeking the silver color as an alternative to platinum.
Diamonds, registering a 10 on the "Mohs Scale" (a scale measuring a stone's ability to resist abrasion), are the most common gemstones used to adorn the engagement ring and, less frequently, the wedding band. Rubies and sapphires are also wonderful alternatives because of their beauty and durability, both registering a 9 on the Mohs Scale. Other alternatives include emerald, topaz and some aquamarine; these stones register an 8 on the Mohs Scale. Stones of lesser strength, such as amethyst, garnet, and opal...those registering a 7 or less...are not recommended as an engagement or wedding ring is subject to daily wear.
Trendier options for wedding rings include titanium, a light-weight metal especially sought-after for men's wedding bands due to it's gunmetal gray, masculine appearance and durability, and tatooing for the statement of permanance that it embodies. Whatever your choice, long after memories of the reception fade and dust settles on your wedding album, your wedding rings will be the most lasting symbol of your marriage.
Originating with the Ancient Egyptians, the "wedding ring" was used to signify ownership; upon marriage, the woman became the property of her husband for "eternity," as represented by the symbol or the circle. Traditionally, although not true for all cultures, the wedding ring is placed upon the 3rd finger of the left hand because it was believed that the vein running through that finger was directly connected to the heart, a belief also originating in ancient Egypt. King Edward VI of England designated the third finger of the left hand as the "ring finger" and in 1549 the Book of Common Prayer designated the left hand as the marriage hand.
The first wedding rings were not the expensive showpieces they are today. Today, most recommendations for the base cost of an engagement ring, typically worn with the wedding band as a set or moved to the right hand after the wedding band is placed on the left, is two to three months the groom's salary. In Ancient Egypt, however, the wedding ring was made of braided grass or hemp, leather, bone, or ivory and needed to be replaced frequently due to wear. Eventually metal was used and the wedding ring began to take on more of the role of expressing one's wealth. The first metal rings were crudely made and, perhaps to offset their clumsy, awkward construction, jewels were placed in them. Early Romans used iron to symbolize the "strength" of a man's love. Later, gold or silver were used to indicate that a man "trusted" his betrothed with his valuable belongings; the "key" shape also became fashionable to further this symbolism. Gemstones were eventually added and silver became fashionable for a brief period in the seventeenth century, but gold has long since become the mainstay.
Today, yellow gold is the most popular option for wedding rings, 24k being the purest and softest; for this reason, 14k or 18k are frequently used. Platinum is also popular for it's silver color, purity (as it is not mixed with lesser metals as is gold), and durability. Platinum, however, is much more expensive than gold and, for this reason, white gold is commonly used for those seeking the silver color as an alternative to platinum.
Diamonds, registering a 10 on the "Mohs Scale" (a scale measuring a stone's ability to resist abrasion), are the most common gemstones used to adorn the engagement ring and, less frequently, the wedding band. Rubies and sapphires are also wonderful alternatives because of their beauty and durability, both registering a 9 on the Mohs Scale. Other alternatives include emerald, topaz and some aquamarine; these stones register an 8 on the Mohs Scale. Stones of lesser strength, such as amethyst, garnet, and opal...those registering a 7 or less...are not recommended as an engagement or wedding ring is subject to daily wear.
Trendier options for wedding rings include titanium, a light-weight metal especially sought-after for men's wedding bands due to it's gunmetal gray, masculine appearance and durability, and tatooing for the statement of permanance that it embodies. Whatever your choice, long after memories of the reception fade and dust settles on your wedding album, your wedding rings will be the most lasting symbol of your marriage.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home