Marriage in Viking society was seen as a contractual and familial alliance, rather than simply a romantic union. It was often arranged between families to strengthen alliances, increase wealth, and ensure the continuation of bloodlines. The exchange of wedding rings may have been part of the ceremony, but the concept of a "wedding ring" as we know it today wasn’t as universal or codified in Viking culture.

Instead, the wedding ritual often involved the exchange of gifts, including rings, as symbols of trust, loyalty, and unity between the bride and groom. Rings might also represent an oath or a promise, which was central to Viking values, especially in legal and social agreements.

Rings were often made from metals like bronze, silver, or gold and frequently adorned with gemstones or hieroglyphics.

Rings were often simple, made from iron, bronze, and sometimes gold and were a symbol of wealth and status. They were also used for religious or funerary purposes, as people often believed rings could protect the wearer in the afterlife. Some rings featured engraved images of gods, goddesses, or important mythological figures.

Rings held significant social, political, and personal meaning in Roman society. The use of signet rings continued, and they became an important indicator of social class. Only certain people, like senators and equestrians, were permitted to wear gold rings, while others wore rings made of iron. Rings also played a role in engagements and marriages, with the betrothal ring being exchanged between couples.

During the medieval period, rings took on both secular and religious importance. They were worn by clergy, nobility, and common people, with designs often reflecting Christian symbolism. Rings also became central to chivalric and feudal customs. For example, knights received rings as tokens of loyalty or favors from their lords or ladies. Rings adorned with gemstones were believed to have mystical or healing properties, with each stone associated with a different benefit (e.g., sapphire for protection, emerald for fertility).

These rings became prominent, such as the episcopal ring worn by bishops, which symbolized their spiritual marriage to the church.

During the Georgian and Victorian eras, rings became even more personal, with styles reflecting both sentimentality and social status. Mourning rings became especially popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861, as Queen Victoria made mourning jewelry fashionable. These rings were often made with black enamel and sometimes contained hair or other mementos of the deceased.

Also grew in popularity, with the custom of giving diamond rings beginning to take shape in the 19th century, eventually leading to the modern-day tradition.