Designer Jewelry Gems

An engagement ring signifies a couple’s promise to build a future together, but the idea of engagement rings has quite a history all on its own.

In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. The couple was wed within 24 hours, and this has been labeled as the first recorded account of the engagement ring.

As we probe the more distant past, we find that the engagement ring and its meaning dates even farther back than the 1400s. In ancient Rome men gave betrothal (truth) rings and in time also used to engrave their lover’s name in the ring.

Symbolism played a large part int he establishment of this tradition. The Egyptians believed that they could connect their hearts to that of their loved ones by attaching their loved one’s name or symbol to their ring fingers, since the vein in their ring fingers led directly to their hearts.

With the Middle Ages brought about the tradition of using a diamond as a symbol for the blessed union. The diamond is the hardest and strongest mineral on earth, with the ability to resist fire and steel. These facts made it the perfect material to symbolize an unbreakable bond between a married man and woman. Yet, at this time, only the wealthy Europeans and those in a position of royalty could afford to profess their love with such an extravagant gesture.

During the 19th century, diamonds became more widely available to the public. Diamonds from the Kimberly diamond mines in South Africa started to flood the market. Birth stones overtook diamonds in engagement ring popularity due to their rare and therefore more desirable nature. The general public was able to afford diamond engagement rings after the wealthy traded theirs for rings with sapphires, emeralds and rubies with diamond accents.

It was Hollywood’s sense of style and glamour that saw the diamond make a comeback during the 20th century. Marilyn Monroe, the blond bombshell made the diamond very popular with the hit song Diamonds are a Girl’s best friend.

The past shows that diamonds are not the driving factor behind the engagement ring. The popularity of the diamond rises and falls, but there is a single quality of the engagement ring that constantly remains popular. All girls dream of a prince sweeping them off their feet. A diamond on her finger given to her by her true love turns her into a true princess. While diamonds remind one of status and richness, the continuity of the ring is an indication of lasting and complete relationship.