The History of the Diamond Wedding Ring

Gold is still the most popular metal for engagement and rings, though students of precious metals realize that platinum is the finest quality metal and serves as a lasting set for fine stones. Buying platinum is now emerging as a fashion trend in some places; however it is a more expensive option. Any fancy ring is suitable for engagement purposes. The engaged wedding couple often chooses a birthstone or precious stone that carries special significance to them; the diamond still remaining by far the most popular.

Many young couples enjoy the idea of personal expression and choose to consult with a designer in creating their own personal message of love. Historically, the betrothal ring was a symbol of the bridegroom’s earnestness, a pledge of his good faith and evidence of his intention to marry. The ring that the bride received at the betrothal was generally used later at the wedding ceremony. After the Reformation, the betrothal was more formal and was often solemnized with the signing of the articles of marriage before a witness. The Romans were the first to present an engagement ring to the bride before the wedding ceremony, usually at the time the marriage contract was drawn up.

The Celts of ancient Britain developed a “love ring” that served as both wedding and betrothal ring. When a Celtic lad courted and won a girl he gave her a ring as a pledge of his protection. The old English word for pledge was ‘wed’, and this is how the name was given to wedding rings. Fascinating wedding rings have held the vogue throughout the years. In the sixteenth century the gimmel ring was popular. The word “gimmel” means “double ring”, and a gimmel ring was actually two separate rings that joined together to look like one. It was usual for the bride and groom to each wear half until, on the day of the wedding they were united as one upon the bride’s finger. Diamonds have long been accepted as the symbol of love and marriage. Somehow the glittering diamond and the blooming bride-to-be have always gone hand in hand. The diamond, the hardest substance in the world was traditionally used for the setting of the engagement ring. It is believed that the custom of wearing an engagement ring started as far back as 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria slipped a huge diamond on the finger of Mary of Burgundy to prevent her father from marrying her off to a wealthier suitor. The Romans also had their part to play, for they wore wedding rings on the third finger of their left hand in the belief that its vein led straight to the heart.

By Glen’s Jewellery Limited West Mall, Trinidad (868) 633-7829

Yameeta & Shawn’s Trinidad Wedding

Bride and Groom- Yameeta Saith & Shawn Babwah
Ceremony and Reception-The South Hall,Centre Point Mall Chaguanas
Photographers- Kayam Ali
Trinidad Wedding Date- October 31st 2008

Shot with Cupids’ Arrow.

Yameeta & Shawn

I started 2008 with three words in mind…I said to myself, I was going to Live, Laugh and Love. Well someone up there heard me because 2008 was the year all my dreams came through!

Shawn and I met through his best friend and my sister in late January 2008 at a carnival fete in Valsayn, just two weeks shy of Valentines Day!!! We started talking and hit it off instantly, and have been together literally every day since then. On our first date we realized that we have a connection that I call “freaky”. Shawn’s birthday is the same day as my nephew, and my birthday is the same as his late grandmother. We both also realized that our families vacation at the same beach house in Mayaro and whenever either of us wanted the house and could not get it was because it was rented to the other!!! We sometimes blurt out the exact same things at the same time and we think very alike. Freaky….

We did everything together….effortlessly things just fell into place. We limed at the most popular hot spots, attended the best parties, saw each other almost everyday. Pretty soon we realized that we had mutual friends and had to ask ourselves “How come our paths never crossed before?”

Things progressed very fast with us, within the first couple of months we knew that we wanted to get married to each other and got engaged in July. Shawn insisted that

we get married before the end of the year, he asked me how long I needed to plan my Trinidad wedding and I told him at least three months and the next thing I knew was we started planning the weddings…yes weddings. Shawn is a Muslim and I am Hindu, and we both decided to honor each of our religions by having two ceremonies. With the help of both families and absolutely no conflict or opposition, plans were moving full scale ahead to have our dream wedding. Our weekends were filled with looking for centerpieces, décor, invitations, venues etc…it was the most enjoyable experience and no arguments at all.

The weekend 31st October to November 2nd, we joined our lives with over six hundred of our friends and relatives. Friday October 31st kicked off the celebrations with a Hindu ceremony and reception . Shawn and I both planned the lavish affair and even included a “belly dancer” which added a little scandal and fun to the shindig. …..It was fantastic, full of music, fun and laughter.

On an extremely hot November 2nd was the Muslim Wedding and Reception ….a little bit different from the previous wedding but it was another exceptional day for both of us.

Looking back at 2008…we both say that it was the best ever and I sometimes wonder if 2009 will top 2008 but I was assured by my husband that the best is yet to come…..

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If you had a wedding with a mixture of cultures & religions we’d love to hear about it.  Especially if you had a Trinidad Wedding