Wedding Rings

The tradition of wearing wedding rings has been in use since Ancient Roman times, if not earlier. It is a metal band, typically made of either gold or silver, which indicates that a person is married.
In many traditions, the women’s wedding ring and men’s wedding band is part of a series of rings symbolizing a couple’s commitment.  These include promise rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, and eternity rings, (representing the everlasting nature of a marriage and given on a special occasion such as a ten year anniversary or the birth of a first child or grandchild.) Trilogy rings are sometimes also bestowed. These are often three-stone diamond rings, representing the past, present, and future of a couple’s relationship.
According to some European traditions, the inside surface of a wedding ring is engraved with the name of the person the ring is intended for. Sometimes the date of marriage is engraved as well. A well known western custom is to have the best man or best woman be the keeper of the wedding rings until the ceremony.
Traditionally, wedding rings symbolized more than just a couple’s eternal love. It was also a sign of an exchange of “earnest money.”  Wedding rings are traditionally placed on the right hand, because it is the hand used for an oath. After the marriage, however, the ring is commonly placed on the fourth finger of the left hand. The reason for this is a practical one. Since most people are right handed, the ring is placed on the hand used less frequently, thus damage to the ring is less likely.
Commonly, wedding rings are made of a precious alloy of yellow gold, white gold, platinum, or titanium. A plain gold pattern is the most common style in wedding rings. Sometimes, three rings are interwoven. Wedding sets consisting of both the plain wedding band, and a more elaborate engagement ring, worn on the same finger, are popular in the United States and Some of Europe. These rings are built to fit together.