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Womens Wedding Ring Article

Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly the case when an individual commits their love and devotion to another and offers a promise of marriage. The custom of offering and exchanging engagement rings and wedding bands is a time honored tradition rich in symbolism and meaning that has been carried on for centuries.

As time has changed so have consumer traditions and buying patterns. The rich tradition of exchanging vows as a symbol of love and devotion is still a traditional time honored ritual practiced in many cultures. Certain aspects of engagement and marriage have changed with time however. Whereas in times of old a couple might take several outings together in search of the perfect engagement rings or wedding bands, in modern times more and more couples are buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online. Thanks to the internet and the resulting access to a global marketplace, couples are realizing they have more options available to them all from the comforts of their living room. Some couples are even going to the extreme, not only buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online, but also purchasing wedding gowns, flowers and even participating in virtual marriages.

How have these changes come about? What can today's modern couple expect when planning a walk down the aisle?

The Engagement Ring

The practice of a groom offering his bride to be an engagement ring as a promise of love and affection began nearly 2 centuries ago in the United States; many associate the giving of engagement rings with a need to express implied commitment and understanding forever. The term "A Diamond is Forever" was in fact used as a means of reinforcing the notion that an engagement ring is a commitment from one fiancé to another to live a life together in marital harmony forever. The phrase is also a popular advertising catch phrase that reinforces the notion that love and devotion are part of everyday symbolisms that require an outlet for expression.

The use of engagement rings as a token of love and affection is a norm that instilled in the hearts and minds of most people, in part due to heavy marketing and advertising from diamond ring and other jewelry manufacturers, and in part based on the needs of mankind to project symbolism into everyday living.

Wedding Rings

Once a couple has decided to walk down the aisle together, the next step is often purchasing wedding rings together. Because there are so many different kinds to choose from, it helps to know what distinguishes one wedding band from another. There are several tips that you can follow to ensure that you purchase wedding bands that suit your individual preferences and budget.

First and foremost consumers should keep in mind that it certainly pays to do their homework. The best advice for wedding ring shoppers is patience. Couples should take the time to shop around and look at several different wedding bands, and have in mind an idea of what exactly they are looking for. Far too often customers compromise because they feel they can't find exactly what they are looking for; chances are you can find what you are looking for at a reasonable price, if you give yourself plenty of time to research wedding rings thoroughly before purchasing.

An article in Today's Summer Bride in Summer of 1989 suggested that consumers be patient and shop wisely, but also have faith that they will find what they are looking for. The article was referring to purchase of a wedding gown, but buying wedding rings follows the same logic. You probably didn't bump into your partner overnight, and likewise you should expect it to take some time to find the perfect wedding rings as symbols of your love and devotion to one another.

Marriage represents a commitment and shared love between two people. Wedding ceremonies are often shrouded in symbolism, among the most significant of which is the exchange of wedding rings between husband and wife.

Buying Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings and Wedding Bands Online

Society is ever changing, and with the advent of technology and access to a global marketplace, more and more consumers are buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online rather than shopping for these ritual symbols of devotion in a traditional store. Buying online affords consumers the luxury of perusing the widest selection of rings available from the convenience of their home.

Some people have infused the process of buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online with romanticism. New rituals and traditions are being built in the face of modern technology. In fact, some couples are planning entire wedding ceremonies through their computers. A virtual ceremony can be broadcast to friends and family members the world over!

What advice can we offer the couple interested in shopping for wedding accessories online? Here are some suggestions for a successful venture:


  • Keep an open mind. Know what type of engagement rings (diamond, gemstone, bands) or wedding rings you are looking for, but consider looking at many different varieties. You may change your mind about what type of ring best symbolizes your relationship and love.

  • Make shopping online romantic! Place some candles around the computer, turn on your song and have some wine! Buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online can be just as fun and exciting as buying them in person... and even more fun when you create a loving and warm atmosphere.

  • Be prepared to spend a fair amount of time perusing different styles and makes. There are an incredible variety of engagement rings and wedding bands available: titanium, platinum, white gold, traditional gold, silver, gemstone, diamond... the list goes on and on. Once you have reviewed a fair number of styles be sure to compile a list of your favorites to narrow down your search.

  • Know your size! Nothing is more obnoxious than having to have a ring re-sized before you wear it. There are several websites that offer jewelry sizing online. Typically women wear between a size 5-9 and men between sizes 8-12. The average for men: a 10; the average for women: a 7.



A Symbol of Your Love and Devotion

Ritual symbols such as the exchange of engagement rings and wedding rings are time honored traditions that will likely continue through the next two centuries. Though the manner in which people shop and commit themselves to one another is changing, the time honored tradition of exchanging vows and bands as a symbol of love and devotion will not likely change in the near future.

Take advantage of modern technology, and consider buying engagement rings, wedding rings and wedding bands online. You'd be surprised the variety available, and pleasantly surprised by how exciting it can be shopping from the comforts of your living room, office, or bedroom...

About the Author

Antigone Arthur is an award-winning author and freelance writer providing consumer information on such topics as wedding rings, engagement ring design and diamond wedding rings.

Written by: Antigone Arthur

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Womens Wedding Ring Article

The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and is rife with superstition and mythology. Papyruses dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization depict wedding rings, and historians credit the land of the Pharaohs with originating this tradition. Engagement or betrothal rings were in use as far back as prehistoric times, but the wedding ring is a relatively new tradition, and unlike the engagement ring, is steeped in religious ritual.

In ancient times, accepting a wedding ring constituted a legally binding agreement between husband and wife. The wife became property of the husband, a holding of sorts. It also represented protection to the wife—a protection against challengers seizing her legal and rightful position in a power grab.

Early Egyptian wedding rings were simple circular bands, crudely crafted from indigenous materials such as hemp and reeds. The lifespan of the average wedding ring was approximately one year. It's a safe bet that the average marriage outlasted the average wedding band, since the eternal circle signified eternal love and devotion. The circle also represented the joining of two halves to create a whole. The hole in the center symbolized the gateway to the unknown—the future. Wedding bands of ivory, leather, and other sturdy materials were crafted by those who desired a more permanent token of eternity.

Metals replaced the earlier hemp and reed wedding bands. The early Romans moved to lead, while other civilizations chose brass and copper. Eventually, gold emerged as the metal of choice. In fact, early Irish couples insisted on gold, as any other material was thought to bring bad luck at best, and constitute an illegal marriage at worst. For couples unable to afford gold wedding bands, gold wedding rings were secured for the service and returned immediately afterward.

Early crude designs were adorned with semiprecious metals in an attempt to disguise the handiwork. The color of the stones also held significance. The red ruby signified the heart, the blue sapphire signified the skies and the heavens, and the rare diamond's indestructible nature signified the indestructible bond of marriage.

Fit played an equally important role in the realm of superstition surrounding the wedding ring. The fit had to be perfect. Too loose a fit would lead to a sloppy marriage, carelessness, and even cause the couple to grow apart. Too tight a fit would doom the couple to a suffocating, painful marriage.

In ancient times, wedding bands occupied the third finger on the left hand just as they do today. The significance of the third finger was the belief that the vein in the third finger, the "vena amoris," led directly to the heart. This was a thought propagated by the Egyptians and adopted as truth by the ancient Greeks and Romans, until later disproved.

Even after the discovery that there was no vena amoris, the custom of wearing the wedding band on the third finger survived. Early Christian marriages included a ritual that landed the wedding band on the third finger: As the priest recited, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost," he took the ring and touched the thumb, the first finger, and then the second finger. When he said, "Amen," he placed the ring on the third finger, sealing the marriage. The wedding band has occupied the third finger into the 21st century, except for a short period during the Elizabethan era, when whimsy decreed that the wedding ring reside on the thumb.

Double-ring ceremonies gained popularity during World War II as young soldiers shipped off to war. The token of the marriage contract took on new sentimentality during those troubling times, and that custom remains intact today. Ceremonies differ, vows are often unique, but the tradition of the wedding band has survived through the ages, and probably will—for all eternity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.jewelry-4-u.net/engagement-rings.htm, http://www.jewelry-4-u.net/wedding-rings.htm, and http://www.jewelry-4-u.net/wedding-bands.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.



Written by: M J Plaster

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