Ringing True- Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands
Symbolising commitment to a life together, engagement rings and wedding bands are a major consideration for couples.
Where better to celebrate your love and commitment than at the award-winning Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, considered one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Weddings at Granny Mouse are truly spectacular, with everything you could need based on-site, from the chapel with panoramic views over the Caversham Valley, a reception venue catering for up to 120 guests, a culinary team ready to create your unique wedding feast and a pastry chef to sculpt your perfect cake.
“Your wedding guests are well catered for, with an array of accommodation options available, as well as the spa to assist you in preparing for your big day” says GM Sean Granger. “May our chapel bell harmonise with your rings, spelling the beginning of wedded bliss.”
Engagement Rings
In Ancient Rome, women wore rings of ivory, flint, bone, copper, and iron "to signify a business contract or to affirm mutual love and obedience" to men. It wasn't until 850 CE that the engagement ring was given an official meaning, with Pope Nicholas I declaring that this piece of jewellery represented a man's intent to marry.
The Cape Town Diamond Museum adds that it wasn't until 1477 that the first diamond appeared on an engagement ring, by way of Archduke Maximilian of Austria who proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a stone setting shaped like the letter "M".
In the 15th century engagement rings began to embody the symbolism of intertwined unity that we think of today. This is when gimmel rings, or rings comprised of three connected bands, began to surge in popularity; each piece would begin as individual bands, one worn by each half of the engaged couple and, on the wedding day, the two bands would be connected with a third (the wedding band) and worn by the new bride as her wedding ring set.
Posy rings—baubles that were intricately engraved and hid inscriptions of love poetry on the inside of the band—quickly followed suit as a popular design, with couples exchanging both silver and gold iterations during their ceremonies.
Diamond baubles didn't become popular until 1947, when De Beers launched an advertising campaign. With the help of Hollywood stars and the slogan "A diamond is forever" diamond engagement rings skyrocketed in popularity.
That being said, in recent years there has been a shift in engagement ring preferences, with people now opting for coloured gemstones and rings made out of unique materials. Just take a look at Blake Lively's light pink, oval diamond set in rose gold band from Ryan Reynolds, and Katy Perry's unique ruby sparkler set in a floral halo design from Orlando Bloom. Even singer Ariana Grande broke with tradition when she debuted a pearl and diamond bauble in December 2020. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria, and Halle Berry have opted for colourful rocks on their rings, and the British royal family is known for doing the same (just take a glimpse at Kate Middleton's stunning sapphire engagement ring!).
There has also been a huge rise in lab-grown stones for those searching for an alternative, affordable, and eco-conscious option.
But even with the recent evolution in aesthetics, one thing's for certain, engagement rings are now, and forever will be, a symbol of everlasting love.
The Most Popular Diamond Alternatives to Consider
1.Moissanite - Not only does moissanite strongly resemble a diamond, but they come in at a fraction of the price and they're almost as durable. Moissanites are incredibly versatile and have an amazing sparkle that's hard to get with even the most high-quality diamond.
2. Aquamarine - Light blue aquamarine stones are an elegant and fresh choice. Part of the beryl family, aquamarine has a similar internal makeup as emeralds and morganites. They have a hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, so diamonds and sapphires would scratch them, and the stone may need to be polished over the years.
3. Emerald - Like aquamarine, emeralds come in at about 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Ultimately, the best emerald colour to seek out is neither too deep nor too light—look for one that's medium intensity and highly transparent. Be sure to inquire about the level of oil applied to your emerald, as the look of stones with high levels of oil treatments will likely change over time.
4. Morganite - A feminine pink stone that almost resembles the ultra-luxe pink diamond. The light colour makes the stone versatile and easy to wear, and there are so many different options for it.
Mornganite has a 7.5 hardness.
5. Ruby - Rubies are the gemstone of love and come in a range of shades from deep pink to red, making a beautiful contrast when paired with white and yellow metals. Rubies are also durable and suitable for everyday wear.
6. Sapphire - Sapphires are another elegant and classic option that come in a range of different shades. These gemstones are one of the hardest diamond alternative stones and are ideal for everyday wear.
7. Amethyst - Considerably less expensive than a diamond, you can get a large amethyst for a budget-friendly price point. An important thing to keep in mind with an amethyst is that it's delicate and could get damaged more easily, being a 7 on the Mohs scale.
8. Opal - These beautiful milky white stones have an interesting iridescence to them, and they are versatile. However, opals are super soft and porous. With prolonged wear, you will likely experience chips and scratches, and the stone may change colour over time. They may not react well to sudden temperature changes or prolonged periods of time spent in direct sunlight.
9. White Topaz - Topaz is a gemstone that comes in an array of hues, from yellow and orange to blue and green. To the naked eye, it looks very similar to a natural diamond. It's an 8 on the Mohs scale and needs to be properly handled when worn and stored.
Wedding Bands
Wedding bands pre-date engagement rings (dating back to ancient Egyptian and Greek times) and were founded as a physical representation of love and devotion within a relationship. Today, this special accessory has evolved in its outward appearance, now coming in various styles, colours, and shapes.
White gold is by far the most popular metal for wedding bands and engagement rings, but additional hues, such as yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, and palladium, have also increased in popularity throughout the years.
When selecting a metal, it's important to consider your lifestyle and the other pieces of jewellery you often wear. For instance, most brides chose to select the same metal used in their engagement rings for their wedding bands. If you work with your hands, consider a stronger metal such as tungsten or platinum, which are able to withstand continuous wear and tear.
Many couples utilise the addition of stones and gems to make their wedding bands unique. While pavé and channel styles add lots of sparkle and flair, this decision is a personal choice.
From vintage art deco designs to stars and florals, there are endless ways to make the metal on your band a work of art. Just keep in mind that intricate etching is more likely to trap dirt (and is harder to clean), and any additional designs (or engraving on the inside) will add to the final price.
Ranging from 1mm to 8mm+, the width of your band is arguably one of the biggest choices you'll have to make. Men typically prefer a wedding band between 4mm to 7mm, and the choice for women varies with younger generations preferring skinnier, daintier bands. In general, though, most brides opt to match the width of their wedding bands to that of their engagement rings.
Whether you long for a more textured look found in stone, brush, matte, hammered, or sandblast, or you prefer a satin or high polish, a finish is a final touch that will truly make your band your own.
As you embark on your wedding band journey, the biggest piece of advice to remember is to start shopping early. Most wedding bands are made to order, so don’t risk an unforeseen delay.
It's becoming more common for couples to purchase their own wedding bands, as opposed to the responsibility being placed on only one person in the relationship. Some couples may choose to pay for each other's bands, while others may opt to split the cost evenly or establish a shared wedding account to contribute to the purchase.
Wedding bands are very personal, and there’s no rule that says a couple needs to agree on a metal hue or style. It’s all about finding what you love and what reflects your individual styles, together. If you do want similar bands, though, consider a gender-neutral option, like a braided band that blends two metals you both love or a similar element such as a hammered finish.
Whether you match, find something unique, or forego bands altogether, coming to a solution you both love is what it’s all about.
Let the Granny Mouse team help arrange your special day. Email reservations@grannymouse.co.za
Article Courtesy of www.sanda-marketing.com
