Ever wondered the origins of engagement rings? Here we take a look…
Romance has existed since the dawn of time. As a result ancient civilizations embraced various ways which were intended to display the commitment between two individuals. In fact, it is thought that early rings were made of nothing more than wood or twine. The Bronze and Iron Age changed all of this thanks to the introduction of metallurgy. However, what about diamond rings? Can we actually trace the history of this scintillating jewelry? Let’s take a look at what the experts have to say in order to appreciate how much these rings have influenced our society as a whole.
Roman Origins
The Romans invented indoor plumbing and modern roads, so it should not be overly surprising that this very same society is associated with the very first diamond engagement rings. Some of the earliest examples can be dated back to 100 CE and interestingly enough, the diamonds were left in their natural state. It seems that the Romans prized these stones for their hardness as opposed to their brilliance at the time. However, there are still some stunning examples which various museums around the world have on display.
Contemporary Origins
We should point out that the Romans wore diamond rings to signify more than engagements alone. For example, anthropologists believe that Roman wives wore rings inscribed with the image of a key in order to illustrate that they were “owned” by their husbands. Society would have to wait until the early 15th century in order to see diamond engagement rings become more commonplace.
The first solid evidence of such a ring can be traced back to 1477 and Archduke Maximillian of Austria. It is said that he presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring as an engagement present. It was not long before other European monarchs and aristocrats began to follow the same trend.
The Victorian Era
The popularity of diamond rings was further enhanced thanks to the Victorian Era. This time period was particularly known for its large and rather flashy jewelry, so it only stands to reason that diamonds were vaunted stones. Often termed as “posey” designs, there rings were often used to celebrate engagements.
De Beers Marketing Comes Into Play
The De Beers firm is arguably the main reason why diamond engagement rings have become so desirable in these modern times. De Beers created a marketing campaign in 1947 that promoted the now-famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever” and little has changed since. This was also intended to signify that much like the stone itself, marriages are immortal in nature. Thus, it only stands to reason that many young couples fell in love with such a concept.
We can now see that there is a bit more than initially meets the eye in terms of the history of engagement rings. Still, there is one observation that has not changed over the millennia. Diamonds are some of the most captivating stones in existence and their popularity is not going away any time soon.
