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Eternal Love, the History of the Engagement Ring



“Rings have represented the cycle of life, the sun and moon and in the case of engagement rings, eternal love.”

Exchanging rings to signify love and commitment is a practice that dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The first rings were made of braided plant material and were worn on the fourth finger on the left hand. This is because the Egyptians believed that the ring finger contained the Vena Amoris or “vein of love” (a vein leading directly to the heart), and this tradition carries on today.  As gold and metal smithing developed into a fine craft, rings made of copper, silver or gold became the popular choice of the wealthier class. The Romans carried on the ritual of ring exchange which evolved into the middle ages when couples would have given Claddagh (clasped hands) rings as symbols of engagement.

In 1477, the Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg presented Mary of Burgundy with the first recorded diamond engagement ring. The fashion caught on quickly among royalty and other people of great wealth, but was impossible for most people of the Renaissance because of the diamond’s great expense at the time. The discovery of vast diamond deposits in South America, especially in Brazil, during the eighteenth century brought the price of diamonds down significantly, and for the first time in history, the diamond engagement ring became available to a large number of people. The trend carried on into the nineteenth century when industrialization created more wealth for more people; that, coupled with more diamond mines discovered in Africa, created a vast demand and supply of diamond engagement rings. Thus, an industry was born.

Art deco designs were all the rage in the 1920s, because of their modern symmetry and flashy color contrasts. Smaller more elaborate filigree designs became popular in the Great Depression area because of their affordability. During World War II, platinum was prohibited in the use of jewelry, so silver and gold styles were the ring of choice. After World War II, there was a large rush couples eager to get married, the tiffany solitaire was heavily marketed by DeBeers diamonds, because it was easy to mass produce.

The variety of options for present day engagement ring buyers is vast. Current styles ranging from modern to antique are available, but a classic tiffany style solitaire is always a great choice that never seems to go out of style. Many couples now choose to upgrade or change styles once they reach a milestone anniversary. Throughout the ages, engagement rings have been created in an array of different designs and styles, but one thing remains the same. Engagement rings will always symbolize commitment and devotion between two people who are in love.