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.