The Engagement ring has been around for quite some time now. It is said that roman women used to wear rings with small keys to indicate that they were taken. In 1477 The Archduke Maximillian had the first documented diamond ring made for his wife.
Fun Fact: Penguins ‘propose’ to their partner by giving them a smooth pebble. Penguin nests are made with rocks and pebbles and thus it has been said that it is an indication of the penguin’s intent to build a home together, although a penguin is yet to confirm this rumour.
Similarly the engagement ring is an offering of a stone (attached to a ring) to show intent of building a home and also a promise to provide for one another. The engagement ring is a promise of intent to marry, while the wedding ring is the ring that symbolises the never ending commitment to each other and has made the agreement official.
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Traditionally the engagement ring would be more expensive and flashy than a wedding band. However, recently the trend has started to make a shift towards the complete opposite. Many couples have now decided to get engaged with a simple band and save the flashy ring for the wedding. Either way the general concept of the engagement ring and wedding band set is still very much alive, even if they aren’t used as they were traditionally.
Times change and so do trends. Not too long ago, young ladies used to bake a ‘courting cake’ for the young lad that she fancied. This was an indication of quite a few things, firstly her ability to bake, and then also her jam making ability as well as a few other skills. But as the age of electricity and convenience has come about, there is no need for testing a young lady’s baking ability. And so the trends of which ring is offered when are changing as well.
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Just a few tips concerning engagement rings and wedding bands: If you are unsure if you want to have a wedding band made because you don’t want to wear two rings, do not fear! The two rings can always be fused together if the feeling of wearing two rings bothers you. Take your engagement ring in for a clean before the wedding. Most jewellers will offer a free steam cleaning of your engagement ring before a wedding, just to give it that extra sparkle.
Read more: The Surprising History of Engagement Rings
If your jeweller does not offer a ring cleaning service, then you can do it at home. Clean the ring at home using warm water and dishwashing liquid (avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals as it might react with the metal) and lightly brush around the ring with an old toothbrush to loosen any dirt that may have accumulated. Rinse the ring and pat it dry to avoid any water marks, and voila, your ring should be sparkling like the day you first got it.
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