The Originsof the Engegement Ring

Although everyone knows what an engagement ring is, and to what purpose it serves, have you ever wondered as to how the tradition originated? In modern Western society, an engagement ring is traditionally accepted by a woman as a symbol of her engagement to be married. This tradition dates back to Roman times, but can only really be considered to have become embedded in popular culture during the twentieth century.

Bridal jewelry dates back to medieval times. Ancient Greeks used wedding sets in form of metal bans as a proof of marriage. The ring had to be worn on 4th finger, as it was believed that a particular vein in that finger runs into the heart. It was also believed that if the bride wore pearls on her wedding day, she would have a happy marriage.

Later on, bridal jewelry was set with colored gemstones and around the middle of the15th century diamonds became the focus for bridal settings. At those times pearls also became very popular. Until Victorian times it was common to see different inscriptions or engravings of love words or even poems inside the rings.

During the eighteenth century, diamonds were discovered in Brazil, which led to them becoming more fashionable. However, the discovery of the Kimberley diamond region in South Africa in 1870 led to an oversupply, which in turn led to a plummet in prices and popularity among the wealthy. At this time, other precious stones became more highly sought after, and we can see examples of elaborate engagement rings displaying sapphires, emeralds and rubies, with diamond accents, dating back to this time.

Clusters of diamonds set in oval or round shapes, combination of rubies and diamonds in heart shaped bridal jewelry was popular in 17th and 18th centuries. A diamond ring called, solitaire, used mainly in bridal sets, was introduced in the 19th century, when large diamonds were discovered in South Africa.

A company that was to play an integral part in the future of the diamond industry, De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, was formed in 1888, taking effective control of the global diamond supply. After a difficult period during the first half of the twentieth century, De Beers launched a marketing campaign in 1947 that would change the face of the diamond industry forever. The famous marketing slogan “A Diamond Is Forever” was born, which, together with other clever marketing campaigns, changed the public perception of the diamond. People were now encouraged to cherish diamonds as family heirlooms, which meant a reduction in the supply of used diamonds, which in turn had a positive effect on the demand for new diamonds. De Beers also educated jewellers, albeit unofficially, to instruct men that they should be spending between two and three month’s wages on a diamond engagement ring.

Today, we have virtually an unlimited array of bridal sets. There is no right or wrong style to what she can have. Choosing plain or elaborate? Diamond bands set with gemstones in one never-ending row called eternity is a favorable item for a bride to be. She can have solitaires or cluster rings, colored stones like ruby for love or sapphire for loyalty, you name it. And how about metals? It used to be that wedding sets were gold or platinum. Today many people choose silver, titanium, tungsten, steel or any other metal. It is up to each individual taste. After all it will be her day and the engagement ring or a whole set she desires will be with her forever.

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Wedding Jewelry