Keeper rings, like many wedding traditions, are surrounded by a variety of legends. One of these dates back to Victorian era (1837-1901) when the keeper ring is said to have represented the idea that the receiver was worth “keeping.” It was considered a kind of pre-engagement or betrothal ring and was presented a year before the official engagement. While the Victorians gave the keeper ring a romantic symbolism of being “worth keeping,” the design itself was not new. In fact, the tradition of the keeper ring goes back several generations earlier.
Keeper rings origins
The Keeper ring first appeared in England in the 1760s–70s. They were originally wedding gifts from husbands to wives. The idea was that the ring would “keep” the more precious and elaborate engagement ring from slipping off the finger. This is where the name keeper comes from.
Keeper ring meaning
Whether you believe the ring goes back to the 1700s or that the Victorian keeper ring started this trend, the romantic “you’re a keeper” sentiment attached to the ring makes it a popular choice today as a unique wedding ring, engagement ring, eternity ring, and even an anniversary band. These keeper rings continued into the Edwardian era with styles that included elegant braided gold rings.
King George III era keeper ring
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| King George III Era Style Ring |
Another story dates back to 1761 when King George the III gave his bride, Queen Charlotte, a wedding ring band encircled with diamonds. Diamond rings were a popular ring choice in the mid-eighteenth century, and a second ring – a keeper ring – was worn to protect the more valuable ring from accidentally sliding off the finger. These were also known as guard rings. These antique keeper rings came in a variety of styles from plain gold or enameled bands to diamond or gem-set bands similar to today’s eternity ring.
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| Modern guard rings are designed to enhance the ring they protect. |
Over time, the diamond ring took on the role of a
betrothal ring, and the keeper ring evolved into the wedding band. Today, a keeper ring is basically a band that’s worn alongside another ring, most often an engagement ring, to help protect it and keep it in place. While it started out as a symbolic gift centuries ago, it’s now just as popular for its practicality as for its meaning. Some people still see it as a promise or anniversary ring, but plenty also wear it simply as a stylish stacking band that adds a little extra sparkle.
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Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.