The History Of Diamond Engagement
Rings
Buying that special ring to pop the question to your partner can
take much of your time, because you want things to be just perfect
for them. The most popular choices in engagement rings are of course
diamonds, most obviously a girl's best friend. Many women will not
deny that obtaining a nice diamond ring will evoke feelings of oneness
and satisfaction. This may seem superficial, but who can argue that
a diamond ring for an engagement proposal is not the way to woman's
heart?
The First Recorded Rings
Historically marriage and engagement rings have been a symbol of
unity for many years and came in the form of a simple iron hoop.
Some years later this was followed by gold band rings. The symbol
of the ring and its eternal circular shape was the main significance
of the engagement ring, corresponding to the unification of a couple
for a lifelong period.
It is believed that the ancient Greeks had begun this trend for
rings in marriage, as earlier studies have shown that marriages
were arranged and drawn up from a contract, known as the dowry.
However, whether the ring was used as a symbol of unity or bribe
is yet to be proven. The Greeks had used the ring before marriage
and was known as a betrothal ring.
Nowadays this can be interpreted as a promise ring.
The Celtic culture may have used the hair as a symbol of marital
unity, in which the hair was braided together after marriage. However,
other historical recordings have discovered that this may have been
in the form of hair bracelets braided together. The middle ages
saw the creation of the 'gimmel', which were comprised of two or
three hoops attached at the base of the ring. When placed together
it gave the appearance of just one ring.
The ring did not become a symbol of marriage until the 12th century,
by Pope Innocent III order( the same Pope had decreed that weddings
be held in churches), who instigated and initiated that wedding
rings be incorporated in wedding ceremonies. This followed a widespread
trend of using rings in marriages.
The First Diamond Rings
Diamonds were not discovered until around 800BC in India, whereby
this precious gem was believed to have possessed magical powers.
Societies were more impressed by its strength and hardness; hence
its name was derived from the Greek 'adamas' meaning unconquerable.
This made it the best choice in engagement rings; however, they
were not as widely available back then as they are now.
The first recorded engagement ring to be given to a woman was to
Mary of Burgundy by the Archduke of Maximilian of Hamburg in 1477.
Prior to this, it was relatively unheard of to give diamond rings
as a symbol of engagement. The renaissance era had seen single set
diamond rings in its natural form set on gold ring bands. It was
not until the eighteenth century of when diamonds had made its way
to Brazil, which made it more available.
The diamond ring became a fashion accessory with many of the wealthy
elite wearing them in balls and dinners. The Victorian ages saw
more widespread of diamond rings, upon the discovering diamond mines
in Africa. Rings in the Victorian ages were much more romantic in
style, decorated with flowers, birthstones, love letters and multiple
diamonds set in rosettes.
The engagement ring very quickly became a subject of fashion, wealth
and love. Those who were able to afford the diamond ring were usually
regarded as well established upper class individuals. Many of the
middle class generation kept to the tradition of using birthstones
set on gold rings, diamonds were still a luxury and a privilege
for many.
Throughout the years, as the diamond has become available worldwide,
they have become larger and creative in style. Many of the contemporary
Hollywood celebrities have been famously seen to be sporting 'bling'
fest diamond encrusted rings. Most famous of them all is Elizabeth
Taylor who is often seen with numerous diamond engagement rings,
one of which weighing at nearly 30 carats.
On average, seventy-eight percent of engagement ring purchases are
diamond, further proving this a strong and lucrative business even
for today.
Author: Anna Stenning
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