The exchanging of wedding rings is a long-standing tradition that’s been around for more than 5,000 years. Cultures all over the world have honored this practice as a symbol of commitment and love. Curious about when and why this convention began? Below is a brief history of the wedding ring.

Early Wedding Rings 

Precursors to the modern-day wedding ring have been found in ancient Egyptian scrolls dating from around 3,000 B.C. These writings describe couples exchanging braided rings made from simple, pliable materials like reeds and hemp. The rings served as symbols of undying and eternal love, exemplified by their continuous, circular shape. Over time, the Egyptians began replacing these fragile bands with sturdier materials such as leather and bone — the more expensive the material, the more love and devotion was intended to the wearer.

Wedding Rings in Ancient Rome

Metal wedding rings first appeared in Ancient Rome and were usually made of iron. It’s believed that the Romans were the first to engrave their rings and that they started the tradition of wearing them on the fourth finger of the left hand. Why there? It had to do with the vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”), which the Romans believed ran from the left hand’s fourth finger directly to the heart. While this belief turned out to be false, the tradition is still upheld by many cultures today.

Wedding Rings During the Renaissance

During the 15th and 16th centuries, ornate gold wedding rings started to appear in Europe. Posy rings featured designs and inscribed poems on the outside of the band. Gimmal rings served as hybrid wedding and engagement rings. Comprised of two interlocking metal bands that could be separated, the gimmal ring was worn by both the bride- and groom-to-be until their wedding ceremony. Then it was locked back together and worn only by the bride.

Wedding Rings Today

In many cultures throughout time, women have been the only ones to wear wedding rings. This was true in the U.S. until World War II when active servicemen started wearing them to honor their wives while they were stationed far away. The tradition held during the Korean War and soon became popular among civilian couples. Since then, wedding rings have soared in popularity and are available in all kinds of materials, colors, and designs.  

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding ring, visit Smith Jewelry & Coins in St. Charles, MO. For more than a half-century, this family-owned jewelry store has helped couples find and create the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands. They also appraise, buy, and sell jewelry, watches, and coins. Check out their website for more information and call (636) 441-6789 to speak with a knowledgeable jeweler today.