While engagement rings are beautiful symbols of love in modern times, they don’t have a really romantic history. The very beginnings of the use of engagement rings is more in keeping with the man being able to signify that a woman was his, rather than a true mutual commitment of love to each other.
Most historians agree that the first engagement rings to be routinely used by a particular culture came from the Romans. Roman men would provide a ring, usually of a type of steel, to a woman as a way to keep her heart pure. The reason the third finger of the left hand was used comes from the belief that a vein ran directly from the heart to the hand through this finger. The rings were meant to keep the woman betrothed or true to her partner to be.
As different groups evolved in the Middle Ages the desire to be more decorative and orate with jewelry, including engagement rings, started to surface. Wealthy kings and royalty would present rings that had semi-precious and precious gems to their soon to be brides.
The first actual gift of an engagement ring with a diamond is attributed to Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg in 1477. He presented his betrothal ring to Mary of Burgundy and is largely credited with starting the diamond engagement ring tends. Soon everyone that could afford diamonds was including them on the betrothal rings. Poorer, average people continued to give rings that featured symbols, which is were the tradition of the claddagh ring started.
Up to the late 18th and early 19th centuries there were definite diamond shortages, meaning few could afford these precious gems. When mines were found in South America and Africa, diamonds of all shapes and sizes became more popular and affordable and the modern engagement rings came into vogue.
Diamonds are some of the hardest gems, resistant to almost any type of damage. While the saying diamonds are forever was a marketing slogan, it is also one of the reasons they become so essential in engagement rings. Since there were many different qualities of diamonds on the market, the next step was to develop some type of grading for the stones.
Now consumers can buy diamond engagement rings with confidence since gems in the rings are certified. Certified diamonds have been full described in the document of certification, allowing the buyer to know every aspect of the diamond before purchase.
While the history of engagement rings may be more practical than romantic, they are now a true and lasting symbol of love and commitment. Buying engagement rings with certified diamonds helps to protect your investment and help you determine the ring that is just right.
Related posts:
- The History Of Engagement Rings
- Show Off How Deep You Love with Diamond Rings!
- Diamond Engagement Ring – Take Your Love to an innovative Higher
- Diamond Engagement Rings – Like the Magical Moments
- The Women You Akin to Deserve the Superlative Diamond Engagement Rings
- Diamond Wedding Ring Sets – A Symbol Of Eternal Enjoy
- Symbolize Your Love With A Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
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