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Stainless steel wedding bands
Gold and silver wedding rings have been the norm for a long time now. But recently, stainless steel wedding bands have become available for couples who want to cut back on their spending while still getting high-quality wedding jewelry that will last for a long time.
The history of wedding bands
Popular opinion has it that wedding bands have been in use since the institution of marriage by the Catholic Church some time in the first century AD. However, recent archeological findings have disproved this, showing that rings made out of carved wood have been exchanged between spouses since well before the time of Christ. In whatever historical period, wedding bands have always symbolized the eternal and life-long love between husband and wife as denoted by the circular shape of the band. In Europe and later in the United States , the wedding band is the last in a series of gifts presented to the bride by the husband. Today, this series of gifts has come to include an engagement ring, sometimes with a diamond set into the metal, and a courtship ring which is given at the start of a serious relationship.
The design of the ring and the material used can vary from culture to culture. The claddagh ring of Celtic origin, for example, is usually made to include the shapes of a heart wearing a crown while clasped by two hands. The heart is a symbol of love, the crown of loyalty, and the two hands of friendship. It is believed that these three elements are responsible for creating a successful marriage. These kinds of rings have been worn in Ireland since the seventeenth century and are still used today.
Stainless steel wedding bands
Recently, couples have chosen to use stainless steel wedding bands instead of the customary gold, silver, or platinum. While these materials are the preferred choice of traditionalists, they can be wildly expensive and impractical for some couples. Generally, stainless steel wedding bands are created by pouring molten 316 Grade stainless steel into a mold. No nickel is added to make the ring completely hypoallergenic. After the ring has set, some couples want to have important places, dates, and names engraved on them.
These stainless steel wedding bands come in many different designs. The flush custom design and the center-channel design are the most popular among couples who want a unique touch to their stainless steel wedding bands. The flush custom has a flat external surface with rounded edges to prevent the wearer from getting cuts. The center-channel, on the other hand, also has a flat external surface but with an indentation running through the center of the ring. Both designs come in either a matte or shiny finish, and are custom-made to the wearer. The price of a flush custom stainless steel wedding band starts at $69, while the price of the center-channel starts at $80.