Engagement Rings – History And Meaning

Engagement rings have a long history and usually signify a couple’s commitment of love.

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.

The symbolic nature of engagement rings goes back before the 15th century. Ancient Romans gave betrothal or truth rings, and later started engraving their betrothed’s name on 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.

Jumping ahead to the 19th century, diamonds become more readily available to common folk. The markets become flooded with diamonds after the discovery of the Kimberley diamond region in South Africa. Instead of a rush of people buying diamond engagement rings, the trend switched to rings with birth stones which seemed to be more of a rarity and, thus, more desirable. The wealthy swapped their diamond engagement rings for rings of sapphire, emerald, and ruby with diamond accents, leaving diamonds for the general public to grab.

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.

Historically, engagement rings have been made up of more than just diamonds. While diamond engagement rings have gone in and out of fashion, one thing that has not changed is that there will always be a strong demand for engagement rings with some kind of stone. Every young girl has dreams of being swept off her feet by a handsome prince. With a diamond engagement ring on her finger, she will feel like a real princess. Today, the diamond symbolizes wealth and fashion and the ring is a symbol of the relationship.