Why is a Jewish wedding ring plain?

Answer 1

In the most technical sense, according to Jewish law, a marriage can officially be created with three different processes. All three are represented in the modern Jewish wedding ceremony. One of the three processes is: The man presents a gift to the woman, the purpose of the gift is understood to be expressly for the purpose of marriage, and the woman accepts the gift with the same understanding. This is the basis for the presentation of the ring during the wedding ceremony, with the statement: "Note that you are consecrated to me by accepting this ring." The important things are the purpose of the gift, the mutual understanding of its purpose, the giving and accepting. The intrinsic physical value of the gift is not at all important. In fact, if the gift were intrinsically valuable, or beautifully decorated, or if a rich man could give a more valuable gift than a poor man could, then the purpose, understanding, giving and accepting of the gift might be called into question. The plain ring is the 'equalizer'; it guarantees that any man has the means to give it, the giving of it involves no attempt at coercion, and the accepting of it has no ulterior motive of acquiring a posession of great value. Everything is out in the open, taking place with no other motive than the desire on the parts of both parties to create a marriage.