Why Are Engagement Rings Made with Diamonds?
Diamonds are the Universal Symbol of Love
Whether you're married or engaged, there's a fair chance you've got a gleaming diamond on your ring finger. But, a point to wonder is when did diamonds grab this special place to be a symbol of engagement, marriage and love? Well, these exquisite jewels were not the symbol of love and commitment from the start.
Diamonds were first used for decoration, then talismans to fend off evil spirits and eventually "cure" disease. Let's look at the diamonds' history to know how they become "the" gemstone for engagement rings.
Engagement Rings Date Back to Ancient Egypt
Since ancient Egypt, engagement rings are a tradition. At that time, people used to place reed rings in each other fingers to symbolise marriage. According to their belief, the ring finger had a vein connected directly to the heart, signifying their love. With the spread of this amazing tradition, various countries established their rituals for engagement rings.
In England, the lovers would split a piece of gold or silver and preserve half of it, after which they would drink a glass of wine to affirm their decision. Some women in America were given thimbles and had the tops cut off to wear them as rings until they married. Women were given gold rings by their husbands in other cultures and metal ones to wear at home as a mark of possession to prove they belonged to their husbands.
History of Diamond Engagement Rings
Archduke Maximilian of Austria Proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a Diamond Ring
Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who offered a diamond ring to propose Mary of Burgundy in 1477, is credited with the idea of providing a gem-studded ring. The diamond ring set he offered to her was a point-cut diamond and small diamonds in "M" shape.
Most likely, this event was the reason behind the tradition of the diamond engagement ring. However, it was reserved for the wealthy and influential at that time. However, these precious gems become accessible to the common people with their discovery in abundance in South Africa in the 1870s.
Afterwards, a diamond company, De Beers, made diamond a sensation by releasing a promotional campaign slogan, "a diamond is forever," in 1947, and their success was arising. This totally changed the people's vision about the diamond. People started thinking that a diamond's aesthetic brilliance and unbreakable chemistry is perfect for showing sacred marriage commitment and everlasting love.
The first diamond engagement ring was not as glamorous as you might be thinking. In the 14th century, the enticing history of diamond cutting started with point-cuts. At that time, even and unblemished facets were formed by polishing the diamond's octahedral crystal faces. Afterwards, point cut developed into the table cut diamond. And it will be a surprising fact for you that it was the commonly known diamond cut.
The table cut diamond developed into a stunning emerald cut diamond. And the evolution did not stop here; diamonds' cuts keep evolving to different diamond shapes and cuts you see today, including the heart, emerald, pear, princess, oval, and modern round brilliant.
Diamond Engagement Rings Today
Engagement Rings are Available in a Variety of Designs Today
Diamond engagement rings are trendy in almost every culture today. Originally used to represent possession, they are now used to represent shared loyalty and eternal love. The styles of diamond engagement rings have also evolved. As a result, you can see diverse diamond shapes, cuts. Besides, shapes and cuts, you have a diverse colour choice in diamond rings.
You can easily reveal the bride’s personality with the engagement ring she is wearing. For instance, a more traditional bride would prefer a round brilliant cut white diamond, while a more modern bride would prefer something more special, such as a pear-shaped natural fancy yellow diamond ring.
Learn All About Diamonds at the NRDiamonds.
Now, you know why a diamond is the most common choice as an engagement ring. However, you can go to lovefinejewelry.com to pick your dream piece of jewelry.