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Wedding rings have long represented love, commitment, and fidelity, with their origins tracing back to ancient Egypt. Couples exchanged rings made from braided reeds placing them on the fourth finger of the left hand, believing in the ‘vena amoris,’ or ‘vein of love,’ that connected directly to the heart. The tradition was later embraced by the Greeks and Romans, who introduced iron and gold rings as symbols of strength and permanence. By the 2nd century CE, gold had become the preferred metal, and early styles such as fede and gimmel rings featured interlocking hands as a way of symbolising betrothal.
The significance of wedding rings deepened in the 12th century when the Christian church declared marriage a sacred sacrament. This era also saw the rise of posy rings. From the French word ‘poésy,’ meaning ‘short poem,’ these were often engraved with heartfelt inscriptions such as ‘true loves gift.’ These sentimental rings remained popular from medieval times through the 18th century.
During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, hand-engraved wedding bands flourished, offering intricate artistry that simply cannot be compared to modern machine-engraved pieces. Choosing an antique wedding band is not just about selecting jewellery, it is about embracing a rich artistic tradition. The 20th century saw further evolution in style, with platinum gaining popularity and the Art Deco movement introducing bold geometric designs. This period also gave rise to the popularity of the diamond eternity ring, symbolising infinite love through its continuous circle of diamonds.
At Berganza, we have curated one of the largest collections of ancient, antique, and vintage wedding rings. We are also delighted to offer a bespoke wedding ring service. Located in the heart of Hatton Garden, London, our specialist workshop creates rings using traditional techniques, ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship.
Whether you desire a bespoke full eternity ring, half-eternity ring, or a classic wedding band, our collection features exquisite diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds set in 18 carat yellow, white and rose gold, or platinum. Our skilled craftsmen offer a variety of settings, including grain set, claw set, channel set, and gypsy set, allowing for seamless integration with your vintage antique engagement ring.
For those preparing for marriage, we invite you to visit our London showroom for a wedding band consultation. Whether you seek matching rings, custom engravings, or the brilliance of diamonds, we will help you find a ring that embodies your love story - one that you will carry with you forever.
