Symbolism of a Ring

For the last few years, I haven't been able to wear my wedding ring.

When I first moved to Maryland, my son and I stayed with my father in law. Somehow, during this time, one of the diamonds fell out and was lost and the ring needed repairs. At the time, my husband commented that maybe it was a sign.

And it was, one neither of us paid much attention to at the time it seems. Or not seriously enough.

Anyways...

Maybe because I have read so much, I've seen a lot of symbolism associated to different things, jewelry and especially rings, being just one of many. I mean, think of "Lord of the Rings" A whole movie trilogy (or is it more now) that dwelt on the Ring. Those bookschanged SO MUCH for so many, readers and writers alike.

My wedding ring, it meant certain things to me. It meant committment, promises, love. It meant that I was with the one person I supposed to be with.

For the last few years, I've worn other rings on that finger. Almost one and all of them had ties back to my husband, because I have felt that I needed that connection. That proof we were still connected. Sometimes, it was the Amethyst and Opal Promise ring he got me (I didn't have an Engagement ring, we got married pretty fast), or the saphire ring he got while I was pregant. Or a simple silver band, because it's the closest, in my band, to a wedding band. There are others, because well I do like to coordinate my jewelry to what I'm wearing. I've always tried to keep that image in my head though, of what these different rings represent.

A couple years back, we took my ring to a jeweler to see how much it was cost to get repaired. They quoted us and the husband and I talked (it was a couple hundred, but I don't think they really took us seriously, which is annoying and sad when you think about it) and I decided to get a different ring. I ordered a Morganite ring in rose gold, from Overstock.com. Here is a link to the ring I got: Here and a picture of it to the right. Very beautiful. I still love and wear it.

Meaning of Morganite


Morganite is believed to be a powerful stone which facilitates the flow of energy throughout the body due to its ability to bring pure love to the wearer. This gemstone is also believed to balance emotions and bring harmonizing fulfillment as it releases any blocks to the channels of energy and love.

I liked the meaning of the stone, the rose gold was unusual and pretty and I was really HOPING this would make me feel, well more. Something at least. Anything??

Suffice it say, it didn't work quite out that well. I did try though, really hard. It just didn't happen. Then about a year or so ago, I put on my broken wedding ring. And just started crying (gods, I am tearing up now just thinking about it) and then had to explain to my husband, why I was crying and how much my ring means to me and could we fix it.

And of course, the budget was tight and it wasn't a priority for a long time. So.

My husband is not of the same view as much on rings. To him, it's just a ring. Something that can be taken off and on, but it seems he doesn't hold the same meaning for it. I almost never took my ring off, probably part of the cause to it needing to be repaired, for over a decade. I slept in it, showered with it, did almost everything with it. I should have it gotten it cleaned more, but whatever.

Diamonds, faded white gold. I could probably get the exact same ring, brand new for less. Or not as I was just looking and found one that looks like mine HERE or HERE and wow, that's a lot more than what it's costing to repair.

Here's what my ring looks like - though much more worn of course. And I think my baguettes were smaller but more of them.

Side note, I remember when I got my wedding ring, some people were surprised I wanted Diamonds.
Dude, they're DIAMONDS, who doesn't want that?? Just because I'm pagan doesn't mean I don't like pretty sparkly awesome diamonds.

Anyways, now it's being repaired, as we're trying to repair other things in our life and marriage. Here's to hoping I get to wear it another decade without wanting to take it off.

EDIT (added):
Because wow, if I were to take it off, willingly, it would be hugely symbolic of what I thought of our relationship. I've always been like (probably from reading David Eddings so early in life)

It's not just a piece of jewelry to me. It should not be interchangable with my other rings. This one has Meaning. It represents US, as a couple, as a family, as a future. Yes, it's just metal and gemstones. But it's MY metal and gemstones. Wedding rings (as well as other family jewelry/jewels) are ones that should be passed down to our children and their children. And the reason for that is because they do mean something, in different ways - absolutely - to each of us.

Resources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-the-Symbolism-of-Rings
http://wellstonejewelry.com/ringmeaning.htm
http://www.jtv.com/library/morganite-gemopedia,default,pg.html
http://www.everything-wedding-rings.com/morganite-rings.html
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Miadora-10k-Pink-Gold-Morganite-and-Diamond-Accent-Ring/4279373/product.html
http://thebeautybridal.com/3471/princess-cut-diamond-engagement-rings.html