52 THE QUEENS COURIER • BRIDAL • JUNE 22, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
fall bridal guide
Finding the perfect ring to symbolize your love
BY CHELLE CORDERO
Marriage, ideally, is something that is
without end, just like the closed circle of
a wedding band. Engagement rings, wedding
bands and wedding rings symbolically
promise an eternity shared between
two people who love each other.
Th ere are three diff erent types of wedding
jewelry. Th e engagement ring, usually
featuring a diamond, is given at the
time of the proposal. Th e wedding band is
given during the marriage ceremony. And
the wedding ring, which is really a more
ornate wedding band, can be given at the
ceremony or as a gift later on (such as for
an anniversary).
Several ancient cultures looked at the
circle as never-ending and its center as a
doorway to an unknown and promising
future. It’s believed that the original tradition
of the wedding band was started in
Egypt nearly 5,000 years ago. At that time,
the band was made from reeds woven
together into a circle.
Eventually, rings were made from other,
more-durable materials, such as leather,
bone, ivory and wood. Expensive rings
became status symbols. Romans made
betrothal rings of iron for permanence
and engraved the metal to show their
ownership of the women they claimed.
Around A.D. 860, the church started
using ornate metal rings as part of marriage
ceremonies, but in the 13th century
the church discouraged the use of showy
ring, preferring simple bands to signify
a pure union. Some cultures today still
dictate that a wedding band be plain, to
emphasize that the union is for love and
not for riches.
Modern couples have a variety of band
materials to choose from, including gold
(yellow, rose or white), platinum, zirconium,
tungsten, titanium, steel and
ceramic. While diamonds are the most
traditional for engagement rings, many
other precious gemstones can be used.
Many brides-to-be also give their fi ances
gemstone engagement rings. Th e couple
should look at the cut, color and clarity of
the stone. A reputable jeweler can advise
about the quality of gemstones.
Aside from personal aesthetic preferences,
other factors should be considered
when choosing wedding bands and
rings, such as one’s work, lifestyle and
budget. Tungsten carbide is exceptionally
strong, scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic,
making it a good choice for someone
who uses his hands a lot, such as a
building contractor. While silver is a popular
and economical choice, it will tarnish
faster and is also more pliable. Th is may
not be a good choice if one’s work or activities
put a lot of stress on the hands.
Fittingly, although the materials, styles
and customs of wedding bands and rings
have changed over the years, the symbolism
has remained the same: Marriage is a
never-ending bond.
Courtesy Creators.com
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