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15th century: The ownership of a silver spoon was an indication of social class, representing landowners. Farmers and craftsmen would carry silver spoons as a form of identification. The silver spoon was primarily a lower to middle class cultural marker. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_spoon
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16th century: During the 15th century, the practice of giving “love spoons” first originated as a tradition in Wales. A suitor would give a spoon to the woman he wished to court. He would carve the spoon himself or commission a spoon. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshistory/2012/01/welsh_courting_customs.html
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17th century: Servants who fell and love and wanted to propose would steal spoons from their master’s homes and craft them into rings. This was the best alternative to an engagement ring, which they could not afford. Source: http://creativegeniusonline.blogspot.com/2011/06/meaning-behind-spoon-rings.html
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17th century: During the 17th century people began to create spoon rings in England. Spoon rings represented love and commitment. Therefore, they were often used as wedding rings for those who could not afford to buy one.
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17th-19th century The concept of the spoon ring began to spread. The spoons would often be engraved with a family crest making it easy to determine whom the servants worked for and stole the spoon from. Many arrests were made with offenses including “stealing a silver spoon” and “larceny by a servant.” Source: http://justspoonin.fineartstudioonline.com/blog/60234/the-history-of-the-spoon-ring
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19th-20th century:
Between the 19th and 20th centuries, the true meaning behind the spoon ring began to diminish. Spoon rings became less about love and commitment and more about fashion. -
1960s-1970s:
Spoon rings began to appear again. They became exceedingly popular among the hippie culture. Spoon rings continued to be worn for fashion rather than a sign of love and commitment. Source: http://justspoonin.fineartstudioonline.com/blog/60234/the-history-of-the-spoon-ring -
In recent decades, spoon rings have continued to grow with increasing popularity. While many people where them as fashion pieces, there are still others who wear them with the sentimental value they once carried.
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In June 2005, Etsy.com, an e-commerce website where artists and crafters sell homemade items, was founded. Crafters begin to sell their homemade spoon rings online. Several websites also created tutorials on how to make your own spoon rings. Source: https://www.etsy.com/about/
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Today, many companies use spoon rings as statement pieces of jewelry. Popular jewelry company Alex and Ani introduced and reinvented the centuries-old spoon style ring to their brand. The company does not use real spoons; rather they make the jewelry pieces resemble them. Source: https://www.alexandani.com/blog/out-with-the-old-ring-in-the-new/
