Amazing History of Diamond Engagement Rings
Marriage is a contract where the concerned
parties promise to love and cherish each other until death. Well, no event can
be bereft of symbolism, and a momentous occasion such as a wedding comes with
its share of symbols. It is the engagement ring that proves that a happy event
is forthcoming. While there is no compulsion to choose gemstones, diamond
engagement rings have become the norm, with even young kids
being able to detect their significance.
It is not unusual for a person of another
culture to question the use of diamonds to adorn a plain band of gold or
silver. A woman is known to be best friends with the sparking stone known as a
diamond. When did this tradition of presenting a beautiful ring begin though?
While it is the fairer sex who are known to flaunt the whopping big diamond
engagement ring more often than not, many men have adopted this practice.
Hence, many men sport a magnificent diamond-embellished band on their ring
finger well before the wedding takes place.
Man or woman who doesn’t love to have an
enticing diamond sparkle merrily on the ring finger? It is significant to know
about the long-lost traditions followed worldwide that hailed such partnerships
as holy. The engagement ring was a symbol of promise as well. It is indeed
intriguing to learn the following facts: -
Trace history to the dawn of civilization,
and you would be amazed to discover that Egyptians were buried in their tombs
with the silver and gold rings intact on the third finger of their left hands.
And this occurred in 2800 BC.
Diamond engagement rings became trendy when the
first of its kind was gifted to Mary of Burgundy by the Archduke Maximilian of
Austria when proposing marriage. That gorgeous engagement ring of 1477 included
a narrow, flat diamond that formed the letter M. Sure, the ring was not much
similar to the modern-day diamond engagement rings. But it was a definite start
of the tradition that remains alive today.
In 1866, Tiffany introduced its famed
“Tiffany setting” which maximized the brilliance of the diamonds that were set
a notch above the finger with the aid of six prongs. The conception was well
received and imitated worldwide, but a Tiffany setting remained at the top for
years. The engagement rings are crafted on similar lines today too.
President Kennedy’s proposal of marriage to
Jacqueline Bouvier was remarkable in many ways. The engagement ring captured
attention like never before. It showcased a 2.88-carat diamond; set next to a
massive emerald. The tapered baguette cut was remarked upon as well. The same
ring got a makeover when reset in 1962. Additional bling was added in the form
of round diamonds and marquise-cut gemstones.
Jackie Kenny received another valuable
diamond ring from Aristotle Onassis that sported a whopping 40-carat diamond
set as the center stone.
Times have changed with diamond
engagement rings becoming more affordable today. Colored gems are held
in high esteem, and many lab-made diamonds are used to create an engagement ring
now as well.
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