Where Did Wedding Rings Start

The first known diamond ring dates back to the late 100s ce and was found in rome.

Where did wedding rings start. When did women start wearing diamond wedding rings. It is usually forged from metal and traditionally is forged of gold or another precious metal. The oldest surviving diamond jewelry dates back to 300 bce. Although the bible does not command married people to exchange rings scripture nowhere criticizes wearing a ring in general or a wedding ring in particular.

Diamond engagement rings grew in popularity over the 19th century but did not become the norm until de beers launched their diamond is forever campagne by frances gerety in the mid 1940 s. Now known as a symbol of love the history of engagement rings is surprising. It was then that according to george monger s marriage customs of the world people started to believe that there was a vein or nerve that went from this finger to the heart called the vena amoris aka the vein of love. More recently men in some cultures have began to wear engagement rings as well or the equivalent promise ring diamonds became the usual choice for the precious stone on a wedding ring in the united states from the 1940s onward.

Wedding rings have represented the ultimate commitment between two people for thousands of years here s a timeline of how these little symbols of love have evolved from ancient times until today. Although most people trace the origin of wedding rings to the egyptians see below there is evidence that cavemen and women exchanged rings made of plant materials. Early american puritans shunned the wearing of wedding rings because they believed wearing jewelry was ostentatious but their belief did not reflect the bible s teachings. During the 17th century dutch physician lemnius even claimed.

Western customs for wedding rings can be traced to ancient rome and greece and were transmitted to the present through christendom in europe which adapted the pagan customs. From gold band in ancient rome to the rise of diamonds in the 1940s here is a complete history. A wedding ring or wedding band is a finger ring that indicates that its wearer is married. Failing to accept the ring means that the woman declines the proposal.

Wedded couples exchanged rings made out of braided reeds. These were worn on the left hand ring finger which apparently had a vein that ran directly to the heart later named vena amoris. The ring finger became the ring finger a long long time ago specifically during ancient egyptian times. Later on wedding rings started to be made out of bone ivory and other similar materials.

Diamonds back then were uncut and valued for their hardness rather than brilliance.