I was recently told that the ring used for kiddushin should be made entirely out of one kind of metal (usually gold), with no other adornments such as diamonds, etc. I had been under the impression that the only halachic requirement for the wedding ring was that it had to be shaveh prutah.
Is what I had been told true? Are there any other halachot about wedding rings? If not, is it a commonly practiced minhag for the ring to be made entirely out of one kind of metal?
Answer
In theory, as long as it's intrinsically worth a perutah it's good enough, but there can be no misunderstandings about what it is! If she thinks she's getting a diamond when in fact you're giving her a cubic zirconia, then it could be claimed the kiddushin occurred under false pretenses. So we avoid stones or fancy engravings.
THEREFORE, to avoid any chance of confusion, the recommended practice is:
A ring. (Could actually be another item of intrinsic value, but usually a ring). Usually gold, can be platinum (or even silver?) if necessary, but make sure everyone understands what it is and what it's worth. Should be plain and unengraved (well often they have a small engraving inside, something like "14K", that's not a problem.) A simple design that doesn't cost any more and they can easily mass-produce by mold is okay -- so it can be plain-plain, or have a milgrain edge or the like.
(As heard on a yutorah mp3 from Rabbi J D Bleich.)
Source: http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/776626/Rabbi_Dr_J_David_Bleich/Ishus_3_(5772) at around 56:45.
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