The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-04
VARIETY IN WEDDING RINGS.
Tho Diamond Hoop . Rival Of the Fiat
Gold Band.

Tho Diamond Hoop . Rival or the FIAT
Gold Band.
In view Of the fact that many thou
sands OF wedding rings are cold in New York
alone every year, it is somewhat surpris-
Ing that nine-tenths or more Of them are
almost exactly alike-a plain band made
Of ls or 20 carat gold, which costs any
where from s. to SIS or $ls-and that the
poorest, as well as the richest, man buys
practically the same sort Of ring for his
bride.
Despite the fckleness Of fashion in
most things, the plain gold wedding ring
has been in vogue for more years than
even the historians are sure about. In
America, very few wedding rings other
than those OF the plainest style have ever
been worn. How much longer the fashion
will continue is an interesting question.
There are now many more exceptions to
the rule than formerly. From time to
time, of late, in New York. women Of fashion
have been married with other than a plain
gold ring.
A Fifth avenue jeweller had two orders
last winter for wedding ring, each Of
which was a complete hoop of small dia-
monds, set very fiat and SO close together
that not a particle OF the setting was in
evidence.
sYou are quite sure the ring. was not
intended for an engagement ring9' the
jeweller was asked by the reporter to whom
he related this vagary Of fashion.
Certainly am" was his reply. The
engagement ring was ordered from us, too.
1T ia not often, though, that we are asked
he went on, -and fancy no other style
will become popular very soon. You see
there Ia really no stone except a diamond
suitable for that purpose, unless 1t Is
ruby, which is almost too costly to be
wasted on a very fiat setting. and none but
fiat ring for marriage ring seems to be
wanted.
Il have never made wedding ring with
Jewels in high setting"
Evidently the diamond hoop is gaining
in favor for a wedding ring, 1t has been
ordered Of more than one Of the well known
jewellers during the last year; ..,.
we have made q wedding ring In which
were sunk three diamonds placed a triAe
more than one-eighth Of An inch apart.
The surface OF the diamonds was even with
the surface Of the gold: ),
we also made q wedding ring for bride
last winter which had one very beautiful
conversation with the lady 1t came out that
che had read somewhere that the wedding
ring given by James, Duke Of York, to
Mary of Modena was decorated with
ruby, and the idea caught her fancy.
in the old days royal bride nearly
always wore a jewelled wedding ring.
whatever they may do now, although
biographers OF Queen Mary. who married
Philip OF Spain In 1854, say that after long
discussion as to what jewels should adorn
her wedding ring, she chose to be married
with plain gold band, like maiden of
the people, as she said.
SIN the jewelled wedding rings Of those
days, though, the stones were set high and
deliberately, whereas the few that Ameri
cans are using are placed very inconspicu-
ously.
aThs old time Jewish wedding ring was
quite a ponderous affair Of filigree gold,
enamelled In colors. A dome or temple
In miniature, which rose from the middle
OF the hoop, was favorite device. Some
times the hoop was about three-quartsrs
OF an inch wide and had raised edges.
-One ring Of this kind La described by an
authority az having Ave elevations on the
upper part-the centre hexasonal tower,
with penthouse roof sloping down to the
hoop, the gables and sides pierced with
fourteen holes, or windows, and the roof
scored to initiate tiles. On either side OF
this was a smaller tower without windows.
mo other ring could find room on q
woman's finger beside this, don't think