Though the plain gold band remains a staple of tradition, there are plenty of other wedding bands out there to choose from. I myself like the Celtic knot designs. Titanium and black zirconium bands, like the flat band with rounded edges above from Absolute Titanium Designs, are gaining in popularity. Mixed metals that make bands more colorful and striking are also creating a stir.

Of course, regardless of shape, size, or color, that wedding band is most often worn firmly on the fourth finger, better known as the ring finger. But why? According to Cool Quiz:

Before medical science discovered how the circulatory system functioned, people believed that a vein of blood ran directly from the third finger on the left hand to the heart. Because of the hand-heart connection, they chose the descriptive name vena amori, Latin for the vein of love, for this particular vein.

Based upon this name, their contemporaries, purported experts in the field of matrimonial etiquette, wrote that it would only be fitting that the wedding ring be worn on this finger. By wearing the ring on the third finger of the left hand, a married couple symbolically declares their eternal love for each other.

The vein of love. I like it.

I hate to admit it, but I am so obsessed with the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I usually hate romance novels but this novel cleverly disguises itself as historical fiction. Or, rather, the second book, Dragonfly in Amber does. Outlander is a bit more romancey. Anyway, reading the first two books started me on a quest for a wedding ring like the one the protagonist receives or at least a wedding band of a Scottish nature.

I know I’ve always maintained that I wanted a plain gold band, but I am so in love with the rings from Scottish Heirloom Jewelry. Particularly the cluster knot band below.

This is me swooning like a romance novel heroine!

Since I’m always a little curious about what other people are doing and I love flash, I wanted to show you Elton John’s and his new hubby’s Chopard wedding bands. The unusual (and costly!) rings were designed by a long-time friend who also happens to be co-president of the haute jeweler. The rings are set with a grid of emerald cut diamonds and feature each husband’s name spelled out in yet even more diamonds on the inner surface.

I say, “Snazzy!”….if you’re Elton, of course.

No, not a emerald. And definitely not some Cracker Jack bauble that leaves a green stain around your finger. I’m talking environmentally friendly precious metals and stones. According to GreenKarat,

Throughout history, jewelry has held a special place in the fabric of human culture. Unfortunately, industrial methods of extracting jewelry’s precious metals and gems from the earth damage the land and endanger ecosystems. Further, industrial values frequently reduce the labor component of production to the level of a cog in a machine.

Their goal is to end destructive mining of gold and diamonds and so forth by encouraging people to buy jewelry that lives up to fair trade and positive ecological standards. I can definitely get behind that. Mining can be pretty dang destructive to people and living things. Certain types of mining inject the earth with poisonous and potentially lethal chemicals that then drain into water systems, killing wildlife and making people sick. To that I say, Bleah.

Being that I’m always tossing jewelry-related hints The Beard’s way, I can usually be heard pushing for fair trade metals and beautiful, eco-friendly Moissanite. Gotta keep this earth clean and green for the brides and grooms of the future!

For the highly modern (or as us hip kids like to say, mod) bride, artist and designer Alissia Melka-Teichroew has created a line of acrylic, um, diamonds.

Here’s how they look on the finger of the bride, post ceremony. In this case, the future husband has chosen the clear acrylic “diamond” engagement ring and the couple has decided to go for the non-traditional acrylic “ruby” wedding band with “diamond” accent.

I don’t know how I feel about this particular look, but I’m sure when we all have flying cars and robots doing our housework, anyone who isn’t sporting high quality acrylic matrimonial bling is going to feel pretty darn silly.