Engagement ring--is this an Italian custom?

[peggymckee]

Hi!

When an Italian couple becomes engaged to be married, it is the custom for the man to give the woman an engagement ring?

If so, what would be a typical ring in Italy? In the US, typically it is a diamond ring with no colored stones. In England, often it is a colored stone (e.g. saphire) surrounded by diamonds. What is the typical Italian engagement ring like?

If wearing an engagement ring is customary, on which hand and which finger is it worn?

I know that there are many "exceptions" but I'm just asking about what is typical--or Italian engaged couples--what did you do?

Many thanks, Peggy M.

[BillieDeKid]

Peggy -

This is a four part article that covers everything from engagements to ceremonies to receptions. Maybe Sunj or Ric etc. can give you there thoughts.

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/wedding.htm

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/wedding_part2.htm

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/wedding_part3.htm

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/wedding_part4.htm

Hope this helps.

Elizabeth

[peggymckee]

Many thanks Elizabeth:

The links you gave mention a solitary diamond ring, a diamond "veretta" (a ring with diamonds all around that symbolizes the eternity of love) and two others that interest me greatly.

[quote]1. In Bolzano and Alto Adige the engagement ring in golden silver represents an ancient romantic image: two hands holding a heart, a crown or a flame.

2. The ancient Umbrian ring in silver, going back to the XV century, is characterized by an engraving representing a woman facing a man to symbolize the future spouses with a flower bouquet in the middle. In the inner side of the ring the words “Amore vole vole feâ€

[BillieDeKid]

I've been looking Peggy and can find plenty of text about these items but no photos.

I'll keep looking. I have a few other ideas on how to get to a site with photos of them.

If you find a site before I do, let me know.

[peggymckee]

Hi Elizabeth--I've looked but I can't find any pictures either. If you find anything, please post it. Many thanks for your effort. Peg

[BillieDeKid]

Peg-

I'm STILL looking! I have found every other type of ancient ring, old ring, antique ring - except for what we are looking for.

Now it's become my personal challenge!!!!!!

I'll be going to the library later this week and will check it out there. Hopefully I'll be able to find some photo's.

Elizabeth

[littleapple]

My relatives in Italy would often refer to the ring as a "fede" which is almost like saying "faith" the ring I would often see was just a gold band, this was a symbol of the wedding ring/ engagement ring. Not in all areas of italy but I did see it often in the past.
Melina

[BillieDeKid]

Melina -

You're so right. I believe this is on the right track for what Peg is looking for. Thanks so much.

http://www.sapphirelane.com/Italian_Poesy_Rings.htm

Elizabeth

[peggymckee]

Melina & Elizabeth--many thanks!

Melina, have you ever heard of an engagement or wedding ring that has an engraved picture of a woman facing a man to symbolize the future spouses with a flower bouquet in the middle? Supposedly this is also a very ancient design from Umbria.

Again thanks! Peggy M

[littleapple]

Hi Peggy,
I have never seen that kind of ring however there is the website that mentions it, it was in the posts earlier. I have never heard or seen of this kind but it might be that my contacts are just to young.

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/wedding_part2.htm

Melina

[johnnyonthespot]

Hi!

When an Italian couple becomes engaged to be married, it is the custom for the man to give the woman an engagement ring?

If so, what would be a typical ring in Italy? In the US, typically it is a diamond ring with no colored stones. In England, often it is a colored stone (e.g. saphire) surrounded by diamonds. What is the typical Italian engagement ring like?

If wearing an engagement ring is customary, on which hand and which finger is it worn?

I know that there are many "exceptions" but I'm just asking about what is typical--or Italian engaged couples--what did you do?

Many thanks, Peggy M.

Peggy, you piqued my curiosity with this one!

My little bit of research turns up the Italian term for engagement rings, "anello di fidanzamento" and a Google image search leads to this page.

Hoping this is helpful...

[PeterTimber]

There are 79,400 references tol ANELLO DI FINDANZAMENTO as title on Google.com and it boggles my mind how there could be so much written about the subject!! =Peter=

[liviomoreno]

I got 187.000 hits that were reduced to 30.400 when I wrote it between quotes...

[carinthiangirl]

>>When an Italian couple becomes engaged to be married, it is the custom for the man to give the woman an engagement ring?<<

my god, not only italians do that! it´s usual around Europe and the world.....
don´t think there is some typical in a country. fact is that people most time buy a ring which they can afford. so rich ones will buy an expensive and the not so rich will buy a not so expensive ring and all one who looks well to them.

[johnnyonthespot]

>>When an Italian couple becomes engaged to be married, it is the custom for the man to give the woman an engagement ring?<<

my god, not only italians do that! it´s usual around Europe and the world.....

Hehe. I think the original poster meant to type "is it" instead of "it is".