The Evolution Of Wedding Rings: 1800S Craftsmanship

Wedding rings have been exchanged for thousands of years, with the ancient Egyptians being one of the first civilisations to assign symbolism to rings. The circular shape of a ring was seen as a symbol of eternity by the Egyptians, as it has no beginning or end, and also mirrors the shape of the sun and moon, celestial bodies they worshipped. The tradition of exchanging rings was then spread to Europe by Alexander the Great, and over time, the Greeks and Romans began exchanging rings as a symbol of devotion and love. The use of gold and precious stones in rings can be traced back to ancient Rome and Greece, but it wasn't until the 12th century that the European Catholic church began using rings for formal marriage ceremonies.

In the 1800s, wedding rings in the US and Europe were typically made of gold and often featured gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, amethysts, garnets, chalcedony, topaz, and pearls. The discovery of gold and precious gems around the world in the 19th century also made gold wedding bands more widely available.

Gold and silver rings became available to the masses

The discovery of gold mines around the world in the 19th century meant that gold wedding bands became widely available to the masses. Before this, gold and silver wedding bands were reserved for the upper classes and royalty.

In the 1800s, gold rings were often engraved and varied in width from 2mm to 8mm. Some brides received rings with their new initials in diamonds, often set against a blue enamel background. In France, the alliance ring was in fashion: a ring of twin hearts made of gemstones, usually surrounded by diamonds.

Engagement rings became common in the 19th century, with Queen Victoria receiving a gold snake-shaped engagement ring set with emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Her wedding ring was an engraved gold band. In the 1850s, half-hoop rings set with pearls were popular as engagement rings. Diamonds were not common until about 1875.

Generally, throughout the 19th century, wedding rings were gold bands, often engraved. In the UK, wedding rings were worn on the third finger of the left hand.

The discovery of gold mines made gold bands popular

The discovery of numerous gold mines in the 19th century made gold wedding bands widely available and affordable. Before this, gold and silver wedding bands were reserved for the upper classes and royalty.

Gold wedding bands from the 19th century often featured gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, amethyst, garnet, chalcedony, and topaz. These rings were typically worn on the left hand, although some cultures, such as those in Spain, Norway, and Russia, wore them on the right hand.

The style of modern wedding bands dates back to ancient Rome and Greece, when gold and precious stones were used to create rings. However, it wasn't until the 12th century that the European Catholic Church began using rings for formal marriage ceremonies.

Over time, the wedding band has become a symbol of everlasting love and commitment. Its circular shape, with no beginning or end, represents eternal life and love, while the opening represents a gateway to the unknown.

Diamond wedding bands were a status symbol

Diamond wedding bands have been associated with wealth and status since their first appearance in the 15th century among royalty and the nobility. In the 1800s, diamonds were still quite rare and were usually small, often set in clusters to form a larger ring. The discovery of South African diamond mines in the late 1800s led to the availability of diamond engagement rings for the upper classes, with gold wedding bands becoming more widely available due to the discovery of gold mines around the world.

The use of diamonds in wedding rings was initially a symbol of wealth and social class. The first diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, influencing other high-society proposals. The small, flat diamonds in Mary's ring were set in the shape of an 'M', reflecting her initial as the most eligible bachelorette of the time.

Queen Victoria's famous love for diamond jewellery also contributed to the perception of diamonds as a status symbol. The opening of diamond mines in South Africa in 1870 further solidified the association between diamonds and wealth. Diamonds became more widely available to the upper classes, who could now more easily access these precious stones.

The use of diamonds in wedding bands continued to be a status symbol through the 19th century, with diamond engagement rings growing in popularity. It was only in the mid-1940s, however, that diamond engagement rings became the norm due to De Beers' highly successful "A Diamond is Forever" marketing campaign. This campaign targeted the middle classes, who now aspired to own diamond jewellery, previously an unattainable luxury.

'Keeper' rings were placed over betrothal rings

Wedding rings have a long and fascinating history, with the tradition of exchanging rings dating back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians are often credited with the invention of the engagement ring, and the custom has evolved over time.

In the 1800s, the discovery of gold and diamond sources made these precious materials more widely available for use in jewellery. Gold wedding bands became accessible to the masses, and diamonds, previously reserved for royalty and nobility, started to be incorporated into wedding and engagement rings.

A "keeper" ring was placed over the betrothal ring to protect it and ensure it did not slip off unnoticed. Betrothal rings, also known as engagement rings, were often made of gold and adorned with diamonds. The keeper ring was usually a simple band of gold or other precious metal, serving as an extra layer of security for the more valuable betrothal ring beneath.

The tradition of the keeper ring evolved over time, and by the late 1800s, the engagement ring as we know it today had emerged. The discovery of diamond sources in South Africa and an influx of gold from newly mined sources meant that gold and diamond engagement rings became widely available. The betrothal ring then became the engagement ring, and the keeper ring transformed into the wedding band.

The wedding band itself has historically been relatively simple, but people have started to personalise their wedding bands with diamonds, gems, and engravings. Today, the wedding band is a unique symbol of a couple's love and commitment, often designed together and incorporating individual stories and styles.

Men's wedding bands became a tradition

The tradition of exchanging wedding rings has a long history, dating back thousands of years to ancient civilisations like Egypt, Greece and Rome. The circular shape of a ring, with no beginning or end, was seen as a symbol of eternity and ongoing love, devotion and commitment.

In the 1800s, wedding rings in the US and Europe were typically made of gold, with gemstones like sapphires, rubies, amethysts, garnets, chalcedony, topaz and pearls. These rings were often crafted with intricate metalwork designs, including acorns, doves, flowers, leaves, scrolls and wheat stalks.

However, it is important to note that the tradition of men's wedding bands is a more recent development. While the exchange of rings has a long history, it was primarily a tradition for women until the 20th century. Men's wedding bands became more common during World War II, when American and European soldiers wore rings as a way to remember their wives and sweethearts back home. This tradition continued through the Korean War and gradually spread to civilian men as well. Today, men's wedding bands are commonly customised with various metals, diamonds, gemstones, textured metal designs and engravings.

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