It has only been within the last two generations that most grooms have been exchanging wedding bands with their brides. Called “double ring ceremonies” this phenomenon slowly caught on after the Second World War and has been growing ever since.

There were two reasons why a man wouldn’t wear a wedding ring: cost and custom. The economic boom of the 1950s increased disposable income, which meant that people had extra cash available to buy treasured items including jewelry also up until that time, many men weren’t that interested in jewelry, although a gold tie clip, watch, or money clip often made for an appropriate gift.