The history behind the very romantic tradition of men presenting the women they love with engagement rings is a bit less appealing than what happens now. In reality the earliest forms of engagement rings were more practical rather than romantic and were largely a sign that the woman was considered to be owned or part of the man’s property.
The Romans are the first group to use engagement rings, which were actually betrothal rings, as a way to signify a relationship. Again these were not the romantic engagements we know today; rather it was a way for the man to remind the woman that her heart belongs to him. It is interesting that the reason the third finger on the left has was selected is because ancient healers believed that the heart was connected with that particular finger by a vein.
The more modern style of decorative and detailed type of engagement rings started to surface in the Middle Ages. Precious stones such as rubies or sapphires were used in place of diamonds which were very rare. Only the wealthiest of royalty could afford to present these types of rings to their future spouses.
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.
Within the 18th and 19th centuries, diamond mines in Africa and South American started producing large quantities of diamonds that came in many shapes, colors and sizes. Adding diamonds to engagement rings for average income earners was now both possible and highly desirable.
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.
With so many diamonds of different quality on the market a grading system was then developed. Certified diamonds, those that have be recorded, graded and evaluated are now available in any type of engagement rings or diamond jewelry items. The certified diamond is also described meaning that authenticity of the diamond is never in question.
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.
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- Engagement Rings Don’t Have To Break The Bank
- Engagement Rings For Thrifty Shoppers
- How to Good buy Wholesale Engagement Rings?
- Diamond Engagement Rings – Like the Magical Moments
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