Marriage Rings

Guide On How to Buy An Engagement Ring

Engagement ring is one of the most important things and probably the most expensive item that a person can purchase for that special someone. Knowing the kind of engagement ring to buy before going to your jeweler or even surfing online can save a lot of time. 

The following are guidelines on how to buy an engagement ring:

1. STYLE. What kind of engagement ring do you wish to give to your loved one? What kind of style does she like for her ring? Will it be contemporary, traditional, funky, elegant, or antique one? 

2. METAL. What kind of metal do you prefer to be used? Will you go for titanium, platinum, silver, or gold? 

3. GEMSTONE. What kind of gemstone do you want to be placed on top of the ring? Do you prefer a diamond, ruby, sapphire, or probably the birthstone of your loved one?

4. CUT. What diamond cut pleases you the most? Princess, asscher, oval, pear, round, or square?

5. BUDGET. How much will you be willing to spend for an engagement ring? Make sure that the ring fits your budget.

Buying an engagement ring should not be a stressful experience. By taking into account the guidelines, you will surely get the engagement ring that will bring you and your partner the greatest satisfaction.

Marriage Ring: In Which Finger Should It Be Placed?

The wearing of marriage rings has its origin that dates back several hundred years ago and varies depending upon the cultures, traditions, and country of origin. In Western cultures, people traditionally wore the ring on the left ring finger because of their belief that the vein in the left ring finger called “vena amoris” was directly connected to the heart. In Medieval Europe, the marriage ring is placed in sequence on the index, middle, and then on the ring finger of the left hand. These represent the Holy trinity – God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In other European countries, the ring is placed on the left ring finger before marriage and transferred on the right ring finger after the ceremony.  In countries like Norway, Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Austria, the marriage ring is positioned on the right ring finger. In the Jewish tradition, men place the ring on their partner’s index finger and move to the ring finger only when the ceremony is over. In India, the right hand is recognized as auspicious. So, they wear the ring on the right ring finger.

The Chinese people have a special belief about the significance of wearing the marriage ring on the fourth finger. According to them, each finger in our hand has a meaningful representation. Our thumb represents our parents, the index finger represents our siblings, the middle finger represents our own self, the ring finger represents our partner, and the last finger represents our children. By joining our palms together with the middle fingers bent and put together back to back and the remaining four fingers touching each other tip to tip, you will notice that the thumb can still be opened. That is because they believe that everyone goes through sickness and death and the thumb being the representation of our parents, indicates that it is a fact, a reality, that one day, our parents will leave us. Upon closing the thumb, let us try to opening our index fingers this time. Notice that they too, can be opened. That is because our brothers and sisters, being representations of our index fingers, will also leave us to have their own family. Upon closing the thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers, let us try to open the little fingers. Our children, as representation of our little fingers, will also sooner or later leave us to live on their own. This time around, with all the fingers folded back to back except the ring fingers or the fourth fingers, let us try opening the ring fingers and surely we will all come to know that it can never be opened at all. The fourth fingers represent the couple, the husband and the wife. With the fourth fingers cannot be opened at all only signifies that the couple will also be attached to each other all throughout their lives. 

Types of Marriage Rings

Engagement rings and marriage rings are equally important and significant for the wedding ceremony  not only in western countries but also in eastern countries. Rings are representation of the theme of marriage as a relationship. In some countries, the ring is worn on the base of the left ring finger while in other countries, the ring is worn on the base of the right ring finger.

Exchange of marriage rings has been the ritual or custom in India. The rings were usually plain golden band. Gold gained its popularity due to the fact that it is durable, cheaper, and easy to use. Moreover, gold can be cleaned easily. Women wear narrow rings while mean wear broader rings. For the French, interwoven rings served as their marriage rings. These rings symbolize the virtues of faith, hope, and love. For the Celts, they have a marriage ring called claddagh ring which symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. Turkish women wear puzzle rings. This has become their tradition for a man to test his woman’s monogamy. In North America and in European countries it is observed that women wear two different rings on the same finger. Those are actually a plain marriage band and an engagement ring. They purchase such rings as a pair of bands intended to fit together. Furthermore, for women who are married for a long time wears three rings on their finger – marriage ring, engagement ring, and eternity ring. For some couples in the United States, they have their rings engraved or embossed. For them, this symbolizes oneness and continuity.

Men’s marriage rings are often heavier and thicker than the women’s marriage rings. The design of men’s marriage rings is also not very heavy as compared to women’s rings. Women’s rings are quite complicated in their design. One can buy beautiful marriage rings from any of the leading jewelers in the town or one can buy from online shopping stores.

Things to Consider When Purchasing A Marriage Ring

Marriage rings are not just mere pieces of jewelleries. They are symbols of strength, trust, and eternal love. Looking for the perfect pair of marriage rings may be the most pleasurable and exciting experience yet may also be the hardest, most stressful, and frightening thing to do.

When purchasing a marriage ring, the most important thing to consider is the cost. Rings vary in price depending on their carats. Marriage rings are less expensive when they are made of tungsten and titanium and more expensive when they are made of platinum. The price increases more when the ring has diamonds on it. Another thing to consider when purchasing a ring is the metal used. Some metals are scratch resistant and can be great for those who often work with their hands. Other metals can cause allergy. After having considered the cost and the type of metal, the next thing to do is to choose a gemstone – diamonds, rubies, aquamarine, or sapphire.

Finally, make sure that you and your partner are comfortable in wearing the marriage rings you have chosen. Have your fingers measured properly to ensure a perfect fit. Choose the most reputable jeweler in your place. Marriage rings are your investments not only because of the money you will be spending in purchasing them but also the time and effort you will have to render to be able to come up with the perfect marriage bondage for you and your partner.

Marriage Rings Tradition

There can be many ideas about the origin and importance of a  marriage ring. However, these ideas are only secondary to one’s ultimate reason for wearing a marriage ring. A marriage ring is said to be the most significant symbol of the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. History dictates that marriage rings were originally worn only by women on either their right or left ring finger. It was only during the 20th century that marriage rings became customary for both brides and bridegrooms.

In Jewish tradition, an engagement  ring is given as a betrothal present preceding a marriage ring. In other countries, giving of an engagement ring during marriage proposal is not necessitated. According to several customs, the best man or maid of honor are the ones given the responsibility to keep track of marriage rings, making sure to produce them during the marriage ceremony. The ring bearer helps in the ceremonial procession of the rings which are placed on a special cushion. Marriage rings are not just a symbol of love and eternity. In ancient times, they were also linked to the custom of exchanging treasures. Thus, marriage was not only a contract between the lovers, but also between their respective families. This signifies the willingness of both families to secure the economic safety of the couple.

After the wedding, the marriage ring is worn on the hand where it was placed on during the ceremony. The newlyweds wear their marriage rings on the fourth finger of either the right or left hand to symbolically affirm their eternal love for each other.