Jewelry Birthstones Wizard
“How to Buy Birthstones Like a Pro” by padre art
Engagement Rings
by: padre art
Engagement rings have been known in Europe since the early Roman era, c.200 BC. Known as the ‘Anulus Pronubus’, these early engagements rings were made of iron, as were their wedding rings.
The custom of iron engagement rings continued for over 400 years until around 200 AD when gold was worn by the general public. Even then, the iron wedding rings were still worn in the home.
Betrothal rings went through many variations in metal type and style over the years. Sometimes these changes were dictated by fashion while at other times the metals and styles were legislated by the church or the state, silver or gold, simple or elaborate.
In general, engagement rings were considered as a symbol of the earnest money due the bride from the groom. This was not universal though, in Germany the approved espousal form read more like a transaction,
Almost as varied as style and metal? The finger and hand upon which the engagement rings and wedding rings are worn.
The ancient Romans wore their betrothal and nuptial rings on the forth finger of the left hand, as is common in this era. The belief existed that a vein or nerve ran directly through that finger to the heart.
This idea is claimed to have been acquired from the magicians of Egypt, where Rome ruled for centuries.
The Gauls and Britons of the 1st century wore their wedding rings on the middle finger of the right hand.
During the 7th century the English began wearing wedding rings as the Romans did, on the left hand ring finger, but the Fench did not alter their style until the 1600’s when it became the fashion to wear the nuptial ring on the index or even the little finger.
Much of Europe and India wore wedding rings on the thumb. Puritans tried to purge rings from the wedding customs of the time, as indicated by their spokesman Samuel Butler when he wrote,
That tool of matrimony - a ring
With which the unsanctify’ed bridegroom
Is marry’d only to a thumb.”
Posie rings are engagement rings and wedding rings that have short inscriptions to express a sentiment. Popular with the ancient Romans, they did not fall out of fashion until the early 1900’s.
A posie from the time of the Roman Empire reads,
‘Tis he must kiss thee when thou art old”
- Engagement Rings
- Diamonds are a girls best friend.
- Engagement Rings
- Engagement ring with elegant style and vintage look
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- Engagement Rings
- The rich look of yellow gold engagement rings.
- Engagement Rings
- Canary yellow, radiant cut diamond engagement ring
- Engagement Rings
- Engagement rings with fancy, engraved band.
- Engagement Rings
- Lovely pink diamond gems surround the finger with this ring.
Engagement Rings
