A Swedish Jewellery Story

The Swedish tradition of exchanging gold engagement bands is thought to be a symbol of equality between men and women. In Sweden, engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of the right hand. This is a tradition that dates back centuries, and it's one that many Swedish couples still uphold today. In recent years, it appears that these customs are starting to merge with the traditions of other western countries. More often, the woman receives a diamond engagement ring and the man receives a gold band. Regardless of who wears what, engagement rings are seen as a symbol of love and commitment in Sweden as in most other western countries. But this wasn't always the way it was. Traditionally, the metals used in wedding bands, if we look back as far as to when Sweden was under viking rule, was silver or bronze as these were metals easily accessible to the Norse people. Gold was used but only by the elite. The rings didn't have the same connotations that we now associate with wedding rings of love and commitment, but more so they represented a contract between two families. An alliance had been made.

When my husband and I got engaged, we decided to do things a little differently and follow the Swedish tradition of both wearing an engagement ring, but we also decided to both wear a wedding band. I even have a beautiful proposal ring that he gave me when he first asked me to marry him, which is a green Tourmaline set in a 22k gold band, it’s truly original and is my favourite ring out of the three!

Karin X

Rings of Love!