Wedding Layers

Wedding rings are one of the most recognized symbols of love and commitment from all over the world. Few things transcend the cultural barriers, such as “mama” for mother and a smile for a greeting. It’s amazing to see how one small circular band of precious metal can instantly say so much. Funny isn’t it, that the wedding can cost thousands and the slim gold or platinum band is a few hundred, yet lasts far longer than the day itself, and is worn day after day, 24/7. A small hunk of metal divides the available and the unavailable at the glimpse of an eye.

Which Hand for Wedding Rings?

The hand that wedding rings are worn on varies from country to country and culture to culture. By default, most people wear their wedding rings on the left hand.

Countries such as Colombia, Germany, Greece, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Ukraine and Venezuela traditionally wear their wedding rings on the right hand.There are also certain cultures and religious beliefs such as Orthodox Christians and Eastern Europeans who typically wear the wedding rings on the right hand. And in Greece, since many are Orthodox Christians, they also wear their wedding ring on the right hand. Jewish women will often wear their wedding bands on the right hand during ceremony, and change their wedding rings to the left hand after the ceremony.In the Netherlands, catholic people wear their wedding rings on the left, all others on the right, but in Austria, Catholic people wear the wedding bands on the right. What are Vietnamese wedding traditions? With the majority of Vietnamese weddings now being Catholic, Catholic Vietnamese families are known to exchange wedding bands at a separate church ceremony. Modern Vietnamese weddings, due to Western influence, exchange wedding bands between the bride and groom, but still include giving jewelry to the bride. For other countries, it depends on region of the country, such as Belgium.In parts of India – a toe-rings “Bichiya” are worn instead of wedding rings on a finger – and increasingly worn along with finger wedding bands. An Iron Bangle or “loha” is worn by women in eastern parts of India, such as West Bengal. Other customs, perhaps more modern, include either partner wearing the others’ wedding rings on a chain around the neck instead of the ring finger as more of a social statement of being married.

Materials of the Wedding Ring

Metal, because if it’s durability is the most common material of wedding rings, and the metal of choice, in order of popularity is: gold, platinum, titanium, tungsten, nickel silver, and stainless steel. History mentions rings of long ago were also made of hemp, wood, bone … and if you remember the old TV show Happy Days – a lifesaver candy. The metal ring often set with diamonds or other precious stones or gems.

Style of the Wedding Ring

In French speaking countries, especially France, wedding rings often consisted of 3 interwoven rings – representing the virtues of faith, hope and love.

Russian wedding bands typically consisted of 3 interlocking bands – gold, white gold and rose. Greek & Anatolian (Turkey) wore puzzle rings, which are sets of interlocking metal bands that arrange in a specific order to form a single ring. If the spouse came home and found the ring in a different arrangement, then it may have questioned the fidelity of the other. Celtic wedding rings are often engraved or embossed with a Celtic knot design to symbolize oneness and continuity. This “Claddagh” design symbolizes fidelity.For North America, typically two rings are worn on the same finger – an engagement ring, and a plain wedding band. After first anniversary or child, a gift of an eternity ring is given, typically a three ring combination. This tradition is especially observed in the UK. In whatever culture, we exchange rings as a vow of everlasting love and commitment to our partner, to stay true to one another, and to walk down life’s journey together to experience the new and exciting facets of companionship and physical union.

Stephan Bevan is an article writer for http://www.budgetdiamondsonline.com , the Toronto Diamond Dealer where you can order stunning gold and platinum wedding rings!

Author: Stephan M Bevan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cool mobile gadgets

Much thought is given into choosing an engagement ring, but what about the other piece of jewelry that youll wear forever and ever, your wedding ring? Where the engagement ring is the symbol of the promise to be married, the wedding ring is the symbol of actually being married. Exchanged during the wedding ceremony, your wedding ring will tell the world that youre someones other half.

Because your wedding ring will be worn for the rest of your life, you want to choose it carefully. Picking your wedding ring will be much easier if you have some helpful hints to guide you. Read on to learn the top wedding ring buying tips and shop for your wedding ring the smart way.

The Top Wedding Ring Buying Tips are:

Set a Budget

Before you and your fianc set foot in a jewelry store, you should have a budget in mind for your wedding rings. A general guide is to set aside 3% of your wedding budget for wedding rings. But because wedding budgets differ for every couple, you dont have to stick to that standard percentage. If you already have a figure in mind, go for it. Having a pre-set budget will make it much easier for you once the shopping begins and it will also narrow down the choices for you.

Price will vary depending on what metal you choose and if you want extras like diamonds or custom embellishments. A typical gold wedding ring generally costs about $150 but a platinum band with embellishments starts at about $600 and goes up from there.

Know Your Metals

Wedding rings come in several different materials. The most common metals for wedding rings are gold, white gold, platinum and titanium. Gold, white gold and platinum are traditional standards, but titanium can be a good substitute if youre allergic to certain metals or if youre looking for a lower priced alternative.

Besides the obvious different looks of wedding ring metals, varying metals will also compliment your skin tone differently. Try on wedding rings in a range of materials so you can see which metal looks best on you.

Shop Around

When you first go shopping for your wedding ring, check out a couple different stores before you buy. Compare selection and price at a few different stores and determine which store has the right ring for you.

Because you and your fianc both need wedding rings, stores may give you a discount if you both buy your wedding rings at the same place. But, if you and your fianc like rings at different stores, buy your rings where you like. Its more important that youre happy with your ring than to get a minimal discount for a ring that youre not thrilled about. Beware of shops that pressure you to buy on the spot. Purchasing your wedding ring is a big deal and it shouldnt be a hasty decision.

Give Yourself Time

After you get engaged its easy to become immersed in planning your wedding reception and ceremony. Between planning all of the details for your wedding, buying wedding rings can fall by the wayside. Do yourself a favor and dont leave shopping for wedding rings until the last minute.

Start shopping for wedding rings at least 2 months before your wedding date. If you want something specific or youre interested custom features like engraving, start shopping 4 months before your wedding date.

Style it Right

Wedding rings come in a variety of styles. Youll find rings that are thin, thick, plain, studded with diamonds, rounded, squared and in a wide array of metals. Pick a ring that suits your personal style and make sure its something that youll feel comfortable wearing every day.

If youre laid back and like to dress very casually most of the time, select a ring that will blend in with your casual wardrobe. If you wear suits most of the time and tend to dress up often, pick a ring that is a bit more formal. Brides will also want to make sure that their wedding ring will compliment the engagement ring that theyve already chosen.

Shopping for your wedding ring can be a task that is both simple and fun. Dont wait until the last minute and keep these wedding ring buying tips in mind. If you do, youll have no trouble finding a wedding ring that youll be happy to wear always.

Author: Elizabeth Reuth
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cool mobile gadgets