Everyone who visits Florence learns quickly that the noble art of ‘orafi’ , the gold smiths, is an important part of the local arts and craftsmanship. Working with gold, silver and jewels has long traditions in Florence, town that also gave birth to ‘florin‘ in 1252, a 24 carat gold coin, one of the first currencies ever invented, and the most valuable in medieval Europe. The goldsmiths worked in their workshops, also called ‘botteghe‘, in different corners of the town, until the powerful administration of the Medici family, in 1539 decided to move this important industry in a more centralised area, where they could better control the materials and the logistics around them. Lucky for the romantic spirits, the goldsmiths were assigned to work on the beautiful old bridge crossing the Arno river, Ponte Vecchio. They overtook the bridge from another, slightly less elegant branch of work, the butchers! The bridge has housed the goldsmiths shops now for over 400 years. Some of the shops are in the same family since hundreds of years. The bridge is filled with tiny glittery gold and jewellery shops, that often have their workshops situated nearby, in little less glittery , but very charming old buildings, along the towns cobbled streets, on both sides of the river area. You can choose if to have your ring from one of the shops on the bridge, or done or engraved in one of the authentic florentine goldsmiths workshops?
Other Italian and Tuscan wedding ring traditions;
– Traditional Italian wedding ring is a simple wedding band, made or yellow or white gold. Some models have decorative engravings on the outside, or one or more diamonds. Most common model is however the simple band, without stones.
– The ring is called ‘fede‘ in Italian, that means faith.
– Italians wear the wedding ring in the fourth finger of the left hand, also called the ring finger.
– In church weddings the rings are first brought to the altar, by the ring bearer, on top of a small pillow, decorated with lace, ribbons or flowers, to be blessed by the priest, before the ritual of exchanging of the rings.
– In civil wedding ceremonies it is not obligatory to exchange the rings during the ceremony, but most couples wish to do so.
Plan to put a ring on it in Italy ? Wish to find your engagement or wedding ring or have it engraved in Florence?
Where to get the ring, or where to pop the question, contact us for a few unique and romantic spots in Florence and Tuscany!