Engagement Rings
Help! I need to pop the question.
So, you have decided to finally ask the girl who makes your heart flip ‘the question’? It is exhilarating as well as scary, I must say. As much as this tradition is age old, there is still so much mystery surrounding it.
Why engage?
The engagement tradition can be traced back to Jewish Talmudic times (1st century BC). During these times, the groom gave the bride a ring or another object of nominal value. In Western cultures, engagements (rings) have replaced bride prices or dowries. In most African nations, engagements are considered as a promise for a marriage commitment, and a courteous way of asking a lady’s hand in marriage (from her, and from her parents). It therefore follows that the dowry is not exempt in this case.
Surprise or not?
Firstly, the major decision gentlemen are supposed to make is whether to keep the event unknown to the lady or not. This depends on the mutual understanding – there never is a universal way of handling matters of the heart, no?
Some ladies need to make sure that the event is planned as per their taste. On the other hand, some do not care about the details- but the surprise in it. All the same, both events turn out to be beautiful! Knowing your better half, then, play according to what she would like the most.
Choosing the ring- how is it different from a wedding ring?
The engagement ring is given to the bride during the proposal, and typically features a diamond or beautiful gemstone. On the other hand, wedding rings are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. Hopefully this demystifies the concept of a groom getting an engagement ring- it is the bride only, who gets it!
Engagement rings usually feature beautiful gemstones whereas wedding bands are usually plain, with fewer gemstones. Design wise, engagement rings tend to have a stone that sits on a “crown”. However, preference plays a major role in the design concept of engagement rings. They can be on gold, silver or platinum.
Check out the Aurex Jewellery range on engagement rings.
