“With this ring I thee wed”.

This is one of the most recognised and symbolic statements we hear during a wedding ceremony. But how did this all come about?

The wearing of a wedding ring is one of the oldest customs we know and is respected and used in most countries. The true origins of the tradition are not really known. It is a fact that the ring is a circle and the circle is a symbol of completeness. In connection with marriage, two people are joined as one, which the circle of the ring symbolises. In religious services we hear 'what god has joined no man can pull apart' or words to a similar effect, which again symbolises a wholeness.

It was the Egyptians that first used rings in the marriage ceremony. In Egyptian script (hieroglyphics) – a circle represents eternity.

The Romans in times gone by often added a miniature key welded to one side of the bride’s ring to signify that she now owned half of her husband’s wealth.

The ancient Greeks believed in wearing the ring on the fourth finger on the left hand because a vein passed through this finger directly to the heart...

Whilst American men in the early days gave their future brides a thimble as a sign of love and devotion because anything more was considered immoral and a little wasteful, some women adapted the thimble into make shift rings by removing the dome. In the Middle East, men wanted to ensure that their brides remained faithful and created what was called a 'puzzle ring'. If the wife tried to remove the ring it would collapse and only by knowing the configuration, could it be put back together.

Rings were made using various materials depending on availability, such as leather, stone even and different metals. It really is in relatively recent years that we have used precious metals: silver, gold, platinum and for a select few 'tatoos'.

In truth the ring becomes a part of who you are and who you want to be. It is a symbol of love, joy, happiness and hope.

Designs are personal. Here are three (and there were more!) bespoke rings that I found which I thought were most exquisite.

The beautiful ring in the centre is by jewellery designer Axel Mees in Monaco.