Jewellers.
 When most people speak of wedding jewellery they think of the rings for the bride and groom after completing their vows. Another important part of the wedding jewellery is the engagement rings - usually bought by the male.
Below is some usefull information wedding jewellery.
The History of the Wedding Ring
The origins of the golden wedding ring are lost in the mists of time. However, the popularity of this precious metal, symbolising the union of two people, ensures forever because gold’s unchanging nature is ideal for the fashioning of rings.
Historically the wedding ring, in the shape of a closed circle to signify continuity, denoted a sign of authority rather than an ornament. The Egyptians, the Phoenicians and the Babylonians wore it on the fourth finger of their right hand, which became the ring finger, or hung it around their necks.
In ancient times, ‘snake rings’ were very common; the Greek rings of this type were open with a setting depicting two rams’ heads facing each other. On Roman rings, the setting took the form of two snakes.
The Hindus, always very fond of gold jewellery, wore heavy rings which were open on the inside and tightened on the finger by slight pressure. Later, in Italy during the 16th century, lovers wore a ring known as the ‘Ricordini’ on the little toe of their left foot. The ring was given to them by their beloved. Their shoes were cut out to show their proof of love.
The Jewish engagement ring of the 13th century was shaped like a little house whose setting looked like a claw; the house symbolised that of the future couple. On the roof a Hebrew inscription said ‘Lucky Star’.
Ancient Customs
In olden times the wedding ring was exchanged when the couple got engaged. It can be made of two entwined circles to be composed of a double setting. In the Middle Ages the wedding ring was once again worn on the ring finger, it was said that this fourth finger is in a straight line with the heart. The moment when the husband gave the ring to his wife was of utmost importance: if the ring stopped at the beginning of the finger without passing the second joint, the woman, it was said, would dominate the household; if it slipped to the base of the finger, the husband would be lord and master. Shrewd girls took care to crook their little finger so that the ring caught on the second joint.
It was in 1554 that Mary Tudor made the plain wedding ring fashionable, declaring she preferred to be married with a ‘plain hoop of gold like other maidens’.
Return to top What better way to show you care than by giving a diamond ring?
What better way to show you care than by giving a diamond ring?
Since early days, men and women have decorated their homes and themselves to create a more attractive appearance and to express their feelings to each other. In our sophisticated age, gold and diamonds have become the ultimate gifts of love.
Their enduring quality bears witness to the lasting relationship between a man and a woman and expresses hope for the future.
The secret of successful jewellery buying is to consider quality as much as quantity. The better the diamond, the rarer it is and the more valuable it will tend to be. However, variations in quality are often difficult for the non-specialist to discern. It is not just a matter of size or how colourless it is – differences in clarity, proportions and symmetry can significantly affect appearance and thus value. A professional jeweller will be able to guide you in the purchase. If a diamond seems too expensive to be true – it probably is!
Throughout the world diamonds are weighed in metric carats. There are five carats to one gram. Historically, this was the regular and uniform weight of the seed of the carob tree. These would also have been used in weighing gold to make up alloys, but there should be no confusion with carat as used in gold standards, and carat as used in weighing stones.
Gold or platinum rings will be hallmarked, which guarantees the purity of the metal. Remember that 9 carat gold is just 37.5% gold, no wonder that 18 carat (75% pure gold) or even 22 carat (almost 92% pure gold) are traditional for special pieces such as wedding rings. Platinum is perhaps the ultimate precious metal for a wedding ring or to set off the diamond in your engagement ring. White gold is a popular and less costly alternative. However, we all know that gold is yellow! The white golds are actually alloys of gold with various other white metals and these are seldom truly white. White gold jewellery is frequently plated with a layer of the expensive metal rhodium to give it a brilliant light white surface. However the rhodium surface can wear off in time, so do ask your jeweller for advice.
Fine jewellery is not something you buy every day of the week, so when searching for that very special ring you need to be able to concentrate on the ring, not worry about its seller, so choose a jeweller you can trust. A good starting point is to look for a jeweller who is an elected member of the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG). These jewellers – there are about 2,500 NAG shops in the UK – have agreed to a Code of Practice and should have specialist knowledge and experience to guide you in your purchase.
Return to top
Accessorise the groom in gold
It’s not just the bride that can accessorise her wedding outfit with gold jewellery such as necklace, bracelet and wedding ring. Why not accessorise the groom and male attendants in gold too; such as an old-fashioned pocket watch and chain, to enhance the morning suits, as well as being a long lasting memento of their special day. Gold items bought for the wedding, can also service as good gifts for the Best Man and Ushers.
Return to top |
