The Rings

Wedding rings and jewellery
The rings
A symbol of fidelity, they have existed since Roman times. In those times they were called anulus pronubus and vincolum. It is uncertain how the origin of placing the ring on the third finger of the left hand, but there is an ancient belief that the ring finger was connected directly with the vein that leads to the heart. During the exchange of rings, the couple is hand in hand; also the union of the right hands has a particular significance: it represents the officialising of the nuptial pact, acquiring social and civil value. The wedding bands are bought by the groom, but chosen together. It is the groom’s job to bring both rings to the church or ceremonial room. In Italy the role of a little boy as ring bearer and flower girl are just like in Anglo Saxon weddings. The classic ring is in 18 K yellow gold with an incision on the inside: the date of the wedding for both rings and the groom inscribes the bride’s first name on his ring, the wife inscribes the groom’s first name. The latest trend is in white gold or platinum rings.