Through the Years: Antique Wedding Rings
The history of the wedding ring may be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that the "vein of love" went straight through the fourth finger on the left hand of their partner. Amazingly, this practice has persisted over the ages and continues to influence tradition as we know it today. The band's circular form, which has been frequently crafted of interwoven reeds, were thought to represent a pledge of everlasting, shared love.
In those early stages, rings were often in the shape of a fade or gimmel ring. The pattern is said to have been the origin for the modern wedding band. The pattern is typically made up of two interlocking hands to symbolize love and togetherness. It was common practice for the band itself to feature an engraving of the engaged pair or just a brief, personal lyric. The Christian church initially proclaimed marriage to be a holy sacrament in the 12th Century, and such rings were very common in mediaeval Europe. The wedding bands, which served as a tangible symbol of a betrothal, has become an essential component of this church-approved ritual.
Wedding bands from Georgia:
The procedure is even further formalized throughout the Georgian era, which has seen an increase in marriage-related regulations. The first of its kind law to demand a special ceremony of wedding was the Clandestine Marriages Act of 1753. Likewise, to nowadays, marriages were held in a church, with the exchange of rings being the main ceremony. Engagement and wedding rings made in Georgia exhibited the avant-garde, experimental design that defined this time in jewelry history. Throughout this time period, rings started to be set with priceless stones including rubies, sapphires, and gems. The Georgians had a strong need to retain remembrance in their jewelry, as seen by their love with grieving ornaments.
European Revival:
Around 900 AD, Christian marriage rituals in Europe and the middle east to include engagement and wedding rings as a custom. Extensive carvings were a common feature of early Christian rings, that infuriated the Church. Such rings were condemned by the Church as being excessively ostentatious, which led to the adoption of simpler designs. That crew ultimately produced the simple wedding ring are still being used nowadays. However, gimmel rings—designs constructed of several overlapping loops that may part into independent, hold rings—made a bit of a resurgence even during Renaissance (called joint rings in England).
Those are typically worn as engagement rings. During the engagement, the engaged pair could alternately wear one of the hoops, so they would reunite to wear the other hoop on the bride's finger at the marriage ceremony.
Victorian Period:
The Victorian era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, brought about a new era for wedding bands. Victorian wedding rings are nostalgic, lavish, yet romantic—they get everything! We divided the timeframe into initial, middle, and late since each had a distinctive style. They are all aware of the Victorians' love of significance in jewelry, and it should come as no surprise that wedding rings were no exception.
Just the bride was traditionally given a wedding band in during Victorian era. The most popular wedding bands during the Victorian era usually composed of 22 or 18 carat gold. A shiny block of gold with bands which either maintained a basic, classic look or were artfully carved with natural themes like leaves and flowers was greatly desired.
Queen Victoria entered a period of mourning after the passing of Prince Albert in 1861, which was strongly conveyed in the jewelry of the time. Apart from legacy rings being more fashionable, design methods got more somber, and darker diamonds gained popularity. The legalization of 15ct, 12ct, and 10/9ct gold, which began in 1854, even had an impact on Victorian wedding bands at around this time. Most people now had better accessibility to wedding bands, and the metals rose gold and silver in popularity.
Edwardian Wedding bands:
The Edwardian era (1901–1909), which is considered to be part of the "Belle Époque" or "the lovely era" in Western Europe, is notable for its gentle, opulent, and feminine elegance. King Edward VII, who was well-known for his opulent preferences and luxurious lifestyle, had a special affinity for pricey possessions, including jewelry! As a result, wedding rings throughout this time period reflected these tastes and once over became more elaborately designed, requiring yet another greater standard of workmanship.
Art Deco era wedding bands:
From architecture to fashion and design, the Art Deco era, which lasted from 1920 to 1939, had a profound impact on all of these areas. Art Deco wedding bands were popular in the 1930s and then were distinguished by their geometric patterns and eye-catching jewels. While big, showy engagement rings were very popular right now, basic styles like platinum wedding bands also seized the spotlight. Such rings frequently drew their design cues from nature and included flowery and foliate engravings on their faceted or flat surfaces.