Cupid Jewellery - History of engagment ring

The diamond engagement ring has long-served as a symbol of dedication and love. The tradition is so familiar for most of us that we will just starting to shopping a ring, plan your proposal, and count down to the big day without even question where is the idea of engagement ring came from.

The idea of engagement came from a believe whereby for such exciting milestone, the expressing of one’s commitment to another, that sentiment should be captured and commemorated with something as precious and beautiful as a diamond. 

By understanding the colorful past behind the use of engagement ring it helps us to realize just how significant these pieces of jewelry are, for being a little precious which forever serve as glittering reminders of a most cherished memories.

The Origin

The initial origins of engagement and wedding rings are the same. The earliest uses of symbolic rings are attributed to different peoples, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.

• Betrothal rings were meant to symbolize a woman's connection to the man who would become her husband, though the arrangement was more of a business proposition than a romantic union.
• Romans used iron rings to symbolize strength and permanence, and the Greeks are credited with the initial idea to wear the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, where the "vena amoris" or vein of love was supposed to connect to the heart.
• During the ninth century, Pope Nicolas I endorsed the idea of engagement rings by making a gold ring a betrothal requirement to demonstrate the groom's wealth and ability to care for a wife. In 1215, Pope Innocent III made a similar declaration though the rings could consist of different metals, including silver and iron, and the rings were meant to be worn during a longer engagement period.

GemStone ring

Established engagement ring history has theorized that the first rings may have been made from leather, plants, or other degradable material that served not only to symbolize a union between two people, but also their connection with the land that sustained them. As time passed, metal rings eventually became more elaborate, finally incorporating gemstones to add a measure of distinction and beauty. Symbolic patterns of birthstones were often used to illustrate the couple's parents as well as the couple themselves. For centuries, however, diamonds were too rare and expensive to be widely available or affordable.

The First Diamond Engagement Ring

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by her betrothed, Archduke Maximillian of Austria, in 1477. Few details are known about the ring itself, but diamonds were considered at the time to have magical powers relative to love, purity, and fidelity - the same characteristics they symbolize today.

In the late 19th century, extensive diamond deposits were discovered in Africa, effectively making the gems more widely available and cheaper for the general public to purchase. Because of the sudden abundance of diamonds, designs became more elaborate and intricate, and more brides-to-be began to receive diamond engagement rings.

The Future of Engagement and Wedding Rings

Despite the varied nature of wedding and engagement ring history, today's trends are clear: custom made rings unique to the couple are more popular than ever, as are contemporary styles that illustrate the promise of a future that is brighter than ever. Even as diamond jewelry continues to evolve, its ties to historical tradition remain intact, and couples continue to honor that history by exchanging rings as they form their own traditions.

Source : Melissa Mayntz