A wedding dress becomes a memory in photographs, a bouquet rustles gently when a duster caresses it. But the band on your ring finger glistens like it was yesterday. The wedding ring is one of the most important parts of a marriage. A symbol of love and fidelity, it was worn by the ancient Egyptians or Romans and the tradition is still observed today. What is the right ring for the two of you? The market offers all sorts of options - from rings you order online and have at home tomorrow, to handmade jewellery made just for you. What's the best way to make a ring you'll enjoy for a lifetime? We consulted with jeweller Luboš Korbička, whose rings have adorned the hands of many happy married couples.
Of course, no piece of jewellery can guarantee your happiness, but many couples agree that the wedding ring is a very important symbol for them, which guides them through life, gives them strength and confidence in everyday situations without realizing it, and connects them to each other, even if they are not together. In the wedding ceremony, everyone puts something very personal in their ring and believes it has the power to preserve it. It's like a little spell in the church, enhanced by the blessing of the officiating priest.
We may not know much about the magical and protective effects attributed to the wedding ring in the past, but the psychological effects of the wedding ring are undoubted. Among other things, it carries with it a social status, a proud and publicly acknowledged commitment, a proof of love and partnership. In general, the ring is one of the most important symbols of our civilisation, representing perfection, harmony, eternity, security, immutability and unity. These are the attributes that a marriage union should ideally fulfil.
The wedding ring as a sealing accessory of marriage has undergone a long evolution. It may come as no surprise that in the distant past, women were the ones who received the ring as a pledge of love and fidelity, and the commitment was therefore mainly for them. The ring also represented the home and the family circle; by marrying, the woman cut herself off from the outside world and was to devote herself primarily to her husband. Today, of course, we do not see the wedding ring as a symbol of the superiority of the man over the woman, if only because the ring is given to both the couple during the ceremony and both pledge their loyalty and mutual support.
By the way, the exchange of rings during the ceremony is not obligatory and not everyone finds the ring to be the most important symbol. But never mind, rituals have their place in our lives and the vast majority of engaged couples want rings. The mutual putting on of rings between bride and groom dates back to the 20th century, and the wearing of a wedding ring on a man's hand became widespread around the middle of the 19th century. Until then, the style was not fixed and the form of the rings varied considerably. In some periods rings were very ornate and expensive. But as the wedding ring became an accessory used on a daily basis, practicality gradually won out.
The simple ring is still one of the most common forms of wedding jewellery today. At the same time, technology and the emphasis on individuality allow the betrothed to express the uniqueness of their union and have even the fingerprint of a loved one transferred to the ring. Your personality in your new role in life is best emphasised by handmade jewellery. If you opt for it, you can be sure that even a simple ring from the workshop of a skilled goldsmith carries much more originality than a machine cast. How do you plan everything so that you can wear your dream wedding jewellery at the altar? Luboš Korbička's tips will help you to find your way in the flood of information.
Time reserve necessary
If you want wedding rings from a jeweller's workshop, we recommend making an appointment at least two months before the wedding date. In our studio, handmade rings can take up to six weeks in busy months - this is especially true in spring and summer. Two client appointments with a goldsmith are usually sufficient. At the first meeting, I listen to the clients' ideas of what the jewellery should look like and try to take in as much as I can. This information is very important for me to design the jewellery. The second meeting is then over the design, or the choice of stones and materials. If the fiancé chooses a finished design from our portfolio, the production is a little easier.
To the circular and to the computer?
Most wives and many husbands consider the ring to be part of their everyday life after the wedding and only put it off on rare occasions if their jobs allow it. If you plan to wear a wedding ring, it's a good idea to keep this in mind when choosing one. Also, try different profiles (or cross-sections) of rings, as each sits differently on the finger. In addition, women have to decide if they will wear their wedding and engagement ring on the same finger, or if they will stick with tradition and move the engagement jewelry to the ring finger of their right hand. But it's a lovely worry! 
Gold over gold
We work with gold in our workshop, using 14k or 18k gold, which is best suited for a stressed ring due to its hardness. To the classic yellow colour we add the popular rose or white gold, the colours can also be combined. Be careful with rings in black, they tend to be a symbol of widowhood. Wedding rings can also be made of silver, a metal that ancient peoples valued even more than gold. However, silver is softer and not suitable for everyday wear. Noble platinum is much more suitable for a wedding ring. The surface of the ring can be finished in many different ways, it is not necessary to stick to the traditional smooth finish. A matte ring, for example, resists possible scratches better.
How much will it cost
The traditional rule of three monthly salaries is certainly not a guideline. It depends on whether the newlyweds want the rings just for the ceremony and then hide them in a closet, or whether they see the wedding ring as an investment for themselves and their offspring and want to multiply its value with precious stones, for example. The material, the stones used or the difficulty of the faceting - i.e. the setting - all have an impact on the final price of a handmade ring. However, a handmade ring is not unaffordable, don't be afraid to ask a jeweller!
Forget the ruler
Fortunately, we don't surprise the other person with a wedding ring at the altar. So always have your finger size measured at a jewellers, where they have accurate sizing rings available. Of course, our fingers swell a little due to warm weather, physical activity or even health problems and the size can be different from the winter months by a number. Therefore, we do not go to the jewellery shop straight from training or with cramped hands.
Stone - yes or no?
Stones are suitable for a wedding ring, they are mainly chosen by women. And the king of wedding stones is of course the diamond, the symbol of durability. A diamond ring can be seen as an expense, but it is more sensible to look at it as an investment. Such a piece of jewellery can become a family tradition handed down for generations. For every couple, of course, finances are the deciding factor. If a woman reaches for a wedding ring without a stone, she may be better off combining it with an engagement ring, which is usually dominated by one or more stones. Men normally want a ring without stones and it is not necessary that the rings match in design, they can complement each other in other ways.
I love you forever
Even the ancient Romans engraved iron wedding rings with the words amo te, or declaration of love. The engraving on the inside of the ring is a personal message from the betrothed and makes their rings original. We engrave the wedding rings with names, nicknames, the date of the wedding or first meeting, initials or a favorite heart symbol at the request of our clients. It depends on the inventiveness of the clients and also on the possibilities of the chosen rings. Rings that are set with stones all around the circumference usually cannot accommodate engraving, unless we arrange for the inner plate to be set in.
Trends change, rings remain
Wedding rings should last us a lifetime, so it's better to stick to a timeless design that won't get tired of us even in a few years. In past centuries, sometimes pompous rings decorated with hearts and doves were in fashion, and the symbol of shaking hands was popular, but simplicity has always returned. If the partner is rather conservative and wants a very simple and practical wedding ring, while the partner desires a striking piece of jewellery, we can combine the two, sometimes just keeping the same material is enough. The important thing is that both fiancés are happy with the choice, even though the ring is still seen primarily as the bride's affair to adorn first and foremost. Choose especially with love.
Not with polish!
It is better to entrust the care of a precious ring dear to your heart to professionals. Our clients receive a service card with each piece of jewellery. That way you won't forget when you bought your jewellery from us, and we provide a free service once a year as part of the price.
Where to take it?
In our country and many other countries, the ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. The tradition goes back again to ancient Rome, when it was believed that a straight heart vein travelled from the heart to the left ring finger. Although the right hand was more significant, the left hand surpassed it in this respect. However, in countries with orthodox beliefs, but also in Spain, Germany or Poland, the wedding jewel is worn on the right hand. Swedes on the left, Norwegians on the right. Then you have a choice. There are no exact rules here, and the fiancés sometimes choose whether they are left- or right-handed, so as not to wear the ring too much.
To wear or not to wear, that's what it's all about.
Are you still hesitant to be adorned with jewellery all the time? Maybe you're worried about losing your ring or forgetting it at the sink or in the pool locker room. All of this can happen, of course, yet we think the symbol of your love and marital union shouldn't rest in a box waiting for a special occasion. Combine a habit with putting it off, especially in the period shortly after the wedding when you're not as used to the new ring. It will gradually become part of your personality and some studies claim it even makes us more attractive. Not that we care, but a wedding ring is definitely something that adorns and flatters us. Plus, it makes our spouse happy. Those whose profession doesn't allow it can wear a ring on a chain, and if the fiancés are very progressive, they might even resort to tattooed rings. Originality can be expressed in different ways and who does not care for a ring made of precious metal, reaches for a ring made of grass. Incidentally, in the Middle Ages, a ring made of straw was worn as a shameful symbol that the wedding night had already passed. But we don't have to worry about that today.
Text: Helena Stiessová | Photo: Ondřej Čižmář I Partner of the article: Korbička jewelry
