Cultural Wedding Rings

Italy and Germany designed beautiful Jewish wedding rings in the sixth century. Small temples were set on top of a white gold band and typically the ring possessed a slanted roof or a Moorish dome look. Several of the roofs that were set in these rings could open and close. The inside of the roof displayed the words “mazel tov.” Mazel tov meant good luck in the Hebrew language. There were sacred stories and quotes of good luck surrounding the band it self. All rings and large bands were typically considered ceremonial. This was not a ring that was worn on a daily basis. The ring was inherited from family member to family member and kept in the family""s temple treasure.

The design with two hands holding a heart with a crown is the IrishCladdagh ring. In the village of Claddagh, the Irish Claddagh ring was a common engagement ring in the 18th century but the design did not originate there. The Irish adopted the ring from a fancy court style set with diamonds that was designed in the 17th century in Italy. After the Irish adopted this designed they named it after a fishing village. Typically, the first names of the couple were engraved into the ring. The names would read from right to left. One name would read in one direction and the other name would read in the opposite direction. Claddagh engagement rings were traditionally passed along through generations from the mother to the daughter.

Contributing Abazias Diamonds Staff Writer

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