MUMBAI: Marriage is a union of two people, two lives, and two souls which is concealed through a wedding ceremony. The newly married couple starts their journey of oneness through a series of rituals, ceremonies and above all, blessings of people. 

While planning for the ceremony, one essential part is the rings. Though not emphasized in a lot of cultures, the ring has its own symbolism and importance that is not known to all. This article will throw light on the not so known facts about wedding rings.

First let’s consider the shape of a ring, circle. A circle has no beginning or an end and is  a symbol of infinity.  It is endless, eternal, just the way love should be.

Next, let’s take the position or the finger in which the wedding ring is worn, the fourth finger, also known as the ring finger. For many the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, this is because the vein in this finger was believed to lead directly to the wearer's heart. This notion can be traced back to ancient times when the Romans believed that the vein in the ring finger (the fourth finger) on the left hand ran directly to one's heart. Because of this belief, they called that vein the "vena amoris" or vein of love.

Now, let’s see the importance of different metals and their symbolism when it comes to wedding rings. For centuries the type of material a ring was made from or the presence of a precious stone let others know the owner was in a high stately class within society. Let’s start with Platinum. Platinum has become an increasingly popular metal for wedding rings nowadays, a valuable and prestigious metal choice for wedding rings. It is also naturally hypoallergenic so it will not irritate those with sensitive skin. In India, it is commonly referred to as platinum love bands. Next is everyone’s favorite metal, Gold. Plain yellow and even the white gold finger rings are usually considered the traditional form of the wedding ring. These rings became popular because of their simple and practical style. They are still commonly worn in India. Another trending form of it is Rose Gold. Rose gold is becoming an increasingly more attractive metal type for wedding rings due to its deep underlying meaning. Rose gold is said to represent love compared to white gold representing friendship and yellow gold which means fidelity.

To end with, the Sparkling stone, diamond. Diamond wedding rings are a popular choice because of their beauty and significance. Diamonds have been associated with eternity because of their enduring nature and strength, while there is also an association between diamonds and love. This makes them the perfect stone to symbolize the love of a married couple. Other precious stones may also be worn on wedding bands, either on their own or alongside diamonds. Each precious stone has its own meaning and symbolism.

While we are at it, let’s talk about the finger ring designs to help you choose the best wedding ring. Again, each design has its own history and symbolism. Starting with the classic Solitaire. It is simple, elegant and timeless and is the archetypical engagement ring since ancient times. A solitaire ring is a single stone ring (sometimes with an embellished band). These rings are all about the rock, so investing in a quality gemstone is key. The Halo ring design consists of Micropave diamonds that surround the center diamond in a circle of light. The common choice of women is the princess cut diamond ring followed by Cushion Cut ring. The princess cut ring has a center stone that combines the liveliness of a round diamond and the contemporary shape of an emerald or square. Whereas, the cushion cut ring is a vintage inspired center stone design that features rounded corners with larger facets.