Generally an engagement ring is a symbol of building future together though it has got its own history.
An Austrian, Archduke Maximilian got a ring studded with diamonds for his beloved Mary of Burgundy in 14th century. The couple got married within a day of engagement and this the first recorded account of the engagement ring.
The symbolic nature of engagement rings goes back before the 15th century. Ancient Romans gave betrothal or truth rings, and later started engraving their betrothed's name on the ring.
Symbolism played a large part int he establishment of this tradition. The Egyptians believed that they could connect their hearts to that of their loved ones by attaching their loved one's name or symbol to their ring fingers, since the vein in their ring fingers led directly to their hearts.
The idea of diamond being used for engagement and for symbolizing blessed union started from the Middle ages. The diamond is the strongest and hardest mineral known and it can resist fire and steel too. Thus it is a perfect symbol to indicate the unbreakable bond between a married man and woman. Although, during this time period, only those people with wealth and power could afford to show their love in such a grand way.
Jumping ahead to the 19th century, diamonds become more readily available to common folk. The markets become flooded with diamonds after the discovery of the Kimberley diamond region in South Africa. Instead of a rush of people buying diamond engagement rings, the trend switched to rings with birth stones which seemed to be more of a rarity and, thus, more desirable. The wealthy swapped their diamond engagement rings for rings of sapphire, emerald, and ruby with diamond accents, leaving diamonds for the general public to grab.
Hollywood's glamour influenced the 20th Century public into a renewed desire for diamonds. Marilyn Monroe's song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" partly contributed to this comeback.
When looking at the history, it appears that the diamond is not the essence of the engagement ring. Like every fashion fad, the diamond has gone in and out of style, and then in again, but one common quality among all the versions of the engagement ring stands forever strong. Every girl dreams of being a princess, of being swept off her feet. The presence of a diamond on her finger placed by her prince charming gives her the right to declare her royalty. At this point in history, diamonds are a symbol of glamour and prosperity while the continuity of the ring shape itself symbolizes the relationship.
An Austrian, Archduke Maximilian got a ring studded with diamonds for his beloved Mary of Burgundy in 14th century. The couple got married within a day of engagement and this the first recorded account of the engagement ring.
The symbolic nature of engagement rings goes back before the 15th century. Ancient Romans gave betrothal or truth rings, and later started engraving their betrothed's name on the ring.
Symbolism played a large part int he establishment of this tradition. The Egyptians believed that they could connect their hearts to that of their loved ones by attaching their loved one's name or symbol to their ring fingers, since the vein in their ring fingers led directly to their hearts.
The idea of diamond being used for engagement and for symbolizing blessed union started from the Middle ages. The diamond is the strongest and hardest mineral known and it can resist fire and steel too. Thus it is a perfect symbol to indicate the unbreakable bond between a married man and woman. Although, during this time period, only those people with wealth and power could afford to show their love in such a grand way.
Jumping ahead to the 19th century, diamonds become more readily available to common folk. The markets become flooded with diamonds after the discovery of the Kimberley diamond region in South Africa. Instead of a rush of people buying diamond engagement rings, the trend switched to rings with birth stones which seemed to be more of a rarity and, thus, more desirable. The wealthy swapped their diamond engagement rings for rings of sapphire, emerald, and ruby with diamond accents, leaving diamonds for the general public to grab.
Hollywood's glamour influenced the 20th Century public into a renewed desire for diamonds. Marilyn Monroe's song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" partly contributed to this comeback.
When looking at the history, it appears that the diamond is not the essence of the engagement ring. Like every fashion fad, the diamond has gone in and out of style, and then in again, but one common quality among all the versions of the engagement ring stands forever strong. Every girl dreams of being a princess, of being swept off her feet. The presence of a diamond on her finger placed by her prince charming gives her the right to declare her royalty. At this point in history, diamonds are a symbol of glamour and prosperity while the continuity of the ring shape itself symbolizes the relationship.
About the Author:
Rich Keys writes about diamond jewellery. To find a range of unique engagement rings on the web have a look at DiamondGeezer
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