What if we told you there’s more to your wedding band and engagement ring than you think? When it comes to the history of wedding rings, the story features a variety of fun facts and interesting twists. At QALO, we recognize the importance of understanding the history of the wedding band. Our silicone bands are made with such quality because we know how important the wedding ring is to a relationship. It symbolizes trust, commitment, loyalty and love, and all are essential pieces of any relationship. Whether you want to know about engagement rings vs. wedding rings, or you are just simply interested in getting a history lesson, here’s everything you need to know about wedding rings, engagement rings and more! ORIGIN OF WEDDING RINGS Wedding rings have a long history spanning centuries. Back in Ancient Egypt, citizens would wear rings for a variety of reasons. While usually to show money and power, even the average Egyptian citizen would wear jewelry as a means of showing connections through relationships, love and even their most revered gods and goddesses. Egyptians were crafty and innovative, using unique natural materials such as burnt and dried hemp to craft their rings. Necklaces, diadems and even anklets were often designed with gold and gemstones frequently outsourced from other kingdoms. Once conquered by Alexander the Great, the Ancient Egyptians influenced the Greeks and, eventually, the Romans to also start wearing rings to symbolize connection through marriage. These wedding rings were simple bands, usually. If any stones were used, they were usually gemstones of colors that matched the natural landscape. Only the elite wore ornate pieces, as they often symbolized money and power. During the Fall of Rome, when practically all of ancient Western history was destroyed and Western Europe devolved into the Dark Ages, ancient practices of wedding bands fell to the wayside. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages, in medieval England and other Anglo-Saxon areas, where we see the resurgence of wedding rings. Known as posey rings (sometimes seen as posy, posie or even forget-me-not rings), these rings were typically given between lovers to indicate intention to marry and marriage. As some of the first engagement rings known to man, these rings typically featured engraving, as they were made from molten silver. Goldsmiths often engraved lines of romantic poetry or sonnets and even words such as “love” or “loyalty” into these rings as a way for lovers to symbolize their commitment to each other. Up until the turn of the 20th century, couples continued to use simple gold or silver bands to symbolize their engagements or their marriages. Additionally, many American couples — especially since they had roots in Western Europe, where they didn’t know too much about the significance of rings and bands due to the burning of Alexandria during the Fall of Rome — used to exchange thimbles back during Puritanical times. It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that we started to see diamonds used as an indicator of engagement, commitment and love. MODERN ENGAGEMENT RINGS – IS A DIAMOND REALLY FOREVER? One of the most commonly asked questions by couples looking to purchase rings is “How much money should you spend on a wedding ring?” If you asked DeBeers, the original creators of the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign in the 1930s, the “rule” is an amount equivalent to anywhere between two and three months of your salary. However, as seasons, trends and priorities among couples change, these days couples are less focused on diamonds and more on experiences and their futures. When it comes to wedding bands, you can spend a wide range depending on the design of the piece. Some couples opt for soldering their engagement ring with their wedding band, some choose a simple ring and others opt for something more opulent with lots of diamonds and gemstones. Gold and silver aren’t your only options, though. Silicone bands are becoming some of the most popular men’s wedding rings out there, mainly due to their durability, cost and simplicity. The material and price of your wedding band doesn’t matter; what matters most is your commitment to your spouse. For many couples, they’ve learned their priorities are less about the jewelry and more about the message and dynamics of their relationship. WEDDING RINGS AS A SYMBOL OF STATUS, POWER & MONEY The number one thing the DeBeers campaign did wasn’t just for the jewelry industry. Since their successful diamond marketing campaign, much of society tied a couples’ likelihood of a successful marriage with the size of the diamond given at engagement. Additionally, it continued to assert the idea that women needed to focus on finding a partner who could afford a large diamond for them, because large diamonds meant a higher social status. Shop Our Stackable Wedding Ring Options One of the biggest manifestations of this idea comes up in the mid-20th century concept of the MRS Degree. As more and more colleges opened up to allow different degree programs for women to access across the country, so did the marriage pool. Many families, especially those with poorer social standing, encouraged their daughters to attend college with the specific intent of marrying someone of a higher social and economic standing. This led to the concept of the MRS Degree, short for a “Mrs.” degree. The idea was that women would graduate college not with a degree to further their career, but an engagement ring and a quick wedding shortly after graduation. Often used as a derogatory phrase against women, the idea that a woman could attend school and use it as a way to find a partner and secure a cushy lifestyle became a concept seen even at many colleges to this date. With the success of DeBeers, an entire generation was born prioritizing size as an indicator of power, status and wealth. This didn’t just translate to diamond rings — homes, cars and even hair styles fell prey to the concept of “more is more,” prevalent in much of American culture until recently. Of course, these days, most people indicate they feel there’s more to life than being wealthy or having the largest, newest and most technologically advanced of things out there. Most of our customers here at QALO feel the same way. Our rings prioritize an active lifestyle full of experiences and joy over commercial items. We value connection over size, which is why even our women’s wedding rings feature subtle patterns and shades that are perfect for everyone. Since none of our silicone rings have to grapple with the four C’s of diamond rings (color, cut, clarity and carat), we can focus on quality rings that will last a lifetime. FINDING THE PERFECT RING FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP When you decide to move on to the next step in your relationship with your partner, it’s important you take some time to plan through your purchase. No matter if you choose a traditional ring or one of our own silicone pieces, you’ll want to consider these few things: BUDGET Determining your budget very early on will make a huge impact on what ring you purchase and how you shop. We’re proud to say that all our silicone rings are affordable. Many couples don’t consider the cost of both the engagement ring and the wedding band in their budget; most consider it two separate purchases. However, both of those items can cost a lot of money, especially if you go the traditional route with a diamond engagement ring and a metal band. With silicone rings, you don’t have to worry about blowing your budget. Instead, you can use it toward other things, such as the honeymoon or even invest more in an aspect of your nuptials! Find Your Ring Size STYLE What’s your partners’ style, or your own? These are important considerations to make when choosing the perfect ring for the next step in your relationship. Whether you choose something simple, such as a monochromatic piece, or something with a bit more flair, such as one of our marble silicone rings or even something with a design embedded in it, the style of you and your partner will make a world of difference in the ring you choose. You should choose pieces that allow for individuality in both your personalities, not just something you think the other person would like. You might not think style is an important factor in choosing an engagement ring or wedding band, but the truth is that style can really make or break how much someone likes their ring. That’s what’s so great about our silicone rings — you can choose from a variety of styles and colors to ensure you find the ring that’s perfect for you and your partner! CAREERS It seems a little unorthodox, but did you know that your career and day-to-day lifestyle has an impact on the engagement ring or wedding band you choose? That’s right, depending on where you work and what you do on and off the clock can create a big impact on the ring of your choice. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (also known as OSHA) has restricted employees of specific industries from wearing metal jewelry. This is especially for industries such as manufacturing and construction, where employees often come into contact with electrical wires or other harmful materials. Other industries that don’t typically allow metal bands for safety include the healthcare industry, first responders and even the military. Mechanics often don’t wear their jewelry, either, especially due to the chemicals they use daily. The chemicals and machinery can scratch or destroy the metal of the rings, and they also pose a health risk if the ring gets caught on a piece of machinery. Ring avulsion, while rare, is still one of the most extreme injuries your hand can face. If you’re someone who is at higher risk for experiencing ring avulsion due to your career or active lifestyle, then a traditional metal band probably isn’t best for daily wear. Instead, a set of silicone rings will be perfect. Our Q2X rings can withstand heats up to 450°F, and they are highly durable. LIFESTYLE Do you work out a lot, travel or do lots of outdoor activities? Metal and diamond rings are best left at home during those activities. Not only can they catch on equipment and cause health concerns, but they also can potentially pose a safety risk. The larger your diamond or more expensive your ring, the higher the risk. With a silicone band or alternative ring, you can rest easy knowing that your ring is much safer with you. It’s also easier to travel with — you don’t need to worry about expensive cleaning processes or even having to remove it through the TSA checks. Most metal jewelry flags or prompts for TSA to do pat downs. Avoid all the unnecessary hassle and go with a silicone ring instead. MAINTENANCE Rings require maintenance, regardless of whether or not you choose a traditional metal band or an alternative silicone ring. However, silicone rings are easier to maintain than metal ones. Metal bands usually require cleaning from a professional or with specific chemicals every six months. Silicone bands, however, typically only need a quick soak with warm, soapy water or a run through the utensils drawer of your dishwasher. Of course, you’ll want to wipe your ring down and disinfect it after traveling, working out or getting it dirty. This is important regardless of the type of ring you purchase. Consider your schedule and lifestyle to determine how often you’ll need to clean your ring. If you’re someone who hikes mountains every weekend, you’ll need to clean your ring more often than someone who simply takes a walk around their neighborhood on evenings after dinner. Wedding rings and engagement bands have a long history. Just like each ring, the story of how wedding rings came to be as important as they are today is full of unique facets. No matter whether you choose a traditional metal band or something made from alternatives, such as a silicone ring, it’s important that you take the time to choose something unique to your partner that they’ll cherish forever. 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