Wedding ringA wedding ring, also called a wedding band in the United States, is a finger ring that indicates that its wearer is married. It is usually forged from metal, traditionally gold or another precious metal. Rings were used in ancient Rome during marriage. In western culture, a wedding ring is typically worn on the base of the ring finger of the left hand, following the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer (1662).EngagementAn engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be fiancés (from ), "betrothed", "intended", "affianced", "engaged to be married", or simply "engaged".Vena amorisVena amoris is a Latin name meaning, literally, "vein of love." It describes a special blood vein that was once believed to flow directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart. This belief has been cited in Western cultures as one of the reasons the engagement ring and/or wedding ring was placed on the fourth finger, or "ring finger". This myth dates back to the Medieval Ages.
Ring fingerThe ring finger, third finger, fourth finger, leech finger, or annulary is the fourth digit of the human hand, located between the middle finger and the little finger. Sometimes the term ring finger only refers to the fourth digit of a left-hand, so named for its traditional association with the wedding ring following instructions in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, although other societies may not use this digit as the ring finger.
De BeersInternational corporation specialising in diamondsDe Beers Group is a British multinational diamond company that specialises in the mining, trading and marketing of diamonds. It operates in 35 countries, with mining taking place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada. It also has an artisanal mining business, Gemfair, which operates in Sierra Leone.
Marriage proposalA marriage proposal is a custom or ritual, common in Western cultures, in which one member of a couple asks the other for their hand in marriage. If accepted, it marks the initiation of engagement, a mutual promise of later marriage. Norms and rolesGendered customs and rolesIn Western cultures, a proposal is traditionally made by a man to a woman, while genuflecting in front of her. The ritual often involves the formal asking of the question "Will you marry me, ...?"
Diamond (gemstone)A diamond is a gemstone formed by cutting a raw diamond. Diamonds have high monetary value as one of the best-known and most sought-after gems, and they have been used as decorative items since ancient times. The hardness of a diamond and its high dispersion of light—giving a diamond its characteristic "fire"—make it useful for industrial applications and desirable as jewelry.
Great DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was marked by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and business failures around the world. The economic contagion began in 1929 in the United States, the largest economy in the world, with the devastating Wall Street crash of 1929 often considered the beginning of the Depression.
Roman Empire27 BC–476/1453 AD state and civilization
AnglosphereThe Anglosphere is a Western-led sphere of influence among English-speaking countries with strong political, economic, cultural, and military ties. The core group of this sphere comprises five developed countries that maintain a close alliance: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
RenaissanceEuropean cultural period of the 14th to 17th centuriesThe Renaissance (UK: , US: ) was a European period of history and cultural movement taking place at the end of the Late Middle Ages and the beginning of the early modern era. It is variously defined as covering the 15th and 16th centuries or, more broadly, as lasting from the 14th century to the 17th.
Ring (jewellery)A ring is a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry. The term "ring" by itself denotes jewellery worn on the finger; when worn as an ornament elsewhere, the body part is specified within the term, e.g., earrings, neck rings, arm rings, and toe rings. Rings fit snugly around or in the part of the body they ornament, so bands worn loosely, like a bracelet, are not rings.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.