Wedding Rings are Giving as a Symbol of Love

The Greeks believed that a vein called the vena amori in the left ring finger went directly to the heart. Although modern medicine has proven this belief incorrect, the tradition is still followed.

The custom of wearing a wedding ring began in Europe and spread widely around the world. In Eastern Europe and some parts of Western Europe, such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, the wedding band is worn on the ring finger of the right hand. Some people wear their wedding bands on a chain around the neck. When worn on the ring finger, the wedding band is usually worn at the base of the finger, with the engagement ring above it.

Often, after marriage the spouse’s name is engraved on the engagement ring and becomes the wedding ring. In traditional marriage ceremonies, taking care of the wedding rings and bringing them to the marriage ceremony is the duty of the best man. He may give them to a ring bearer, usually a young boy related to the bride or groom, who carries them on an elaborate pillow.

Wedding rings symbolize the couple's love for each other. Society frowns upon making overtures to a person wearing a wedding ring. The rings of men and women differ in design. The bands of men’s rings are usually broader than the bands of women’s rings. The thickness of wedding bands range from 2 mm to 10 mm. Generally, women wear wedding bands more often than men. Due to their occupations, some people like police officers, soldiers, electricians, actors, and others do not wear their wedding bands all the time.

Thousands of wedding band designs are available on the market. They are usually made of precious metals like white or yellow gold, platinum, titanium, tungsten carbide, gun metal, stainless steel, or nickel. Poisonous or corrosive metals like aluminum, silver, and brass are never used. However, a wedding band may be made of any material. They may be domed, milgrained, two tone, or flat. They may be fancy, engraved, or plain. There are diamond bands, designer bands, engraved bands, knife-edge bands, brushed-center bands, plain flat bands, Celtic and Irish bands, and bands with antique designs. Usually wedding bands for couples are sold in pairs with matching designs. Sometimes the spouses’ names are engraved on the wedding bands. A plain gold band is most common. It is elegant and easy to clean.

Wedding bands come in attractive designs and brightly polished. They may be plain or studded with gems. Gems come in many different shapes. They may be round, oval, marquise, heart, emerald, trillion, multi-cut, pear, or princess in shape. In France and French-speaking countries, wedding bands are often made of three interwoven rings representing love, faith, and hope. The price of a wedding band ranges from below $50 to millions of dollars, depending on the type of band and gem.