History of the Diamond Engagement Ring

Using a diamond engagement ring to symbolize marriage is a tradition that has been honored for centuries. However, the predecessor to today’s diamond engagement ring has been used even longer, since ancient times. The original rings that were given were simple hoops made of iron that were used during the early part of the Roman Empire. The next type of ring was a gold band which was used several centuries later. The ring’s significance was what it symbolized with the circular ring indicating an eternal bond that would never end. Today, both the diamond engagement ring as well as the wedding ring symbolizes the same although the diamond engagement ring was not used until much later.

Diamonds which are used in the diamond engagement ring was initially discovered around the year 800 B.C. in India. These diamonds were revered in a number of cultures because of their rarity and unimpeachable beauty. Many cultures also believed that the diamond had magical powers. These societies were also impressed by the diamond’s hardness with the word “diamond” coming from the Greek word for unconquerable, “adamas”. Because of its durability and beauty, the material was considered ideal for marriage in the form of a diamond engagement ring.

During the 15th century, brides were first able to adorn their fingers with the diamond engagement ring that today is such an integral part of societies throughout the world. However, during this period, the diamond engagement ring was only something that could be obtained by the wealthy or by royalty. The first known incidence of a individual receiving a diamond engagement ring was in 1477 when Mary of Burgundy was given a diamond engagement ring by the Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg.

The average diamond engagement ring of the Renaissance time period consisted of one diamond that was set in its natural form without cutting. Other individuals possessed a diamond engagement ring that contained multiple diamonds that were set in the shape of rosettes, fleur-de-lis, and letters. It was also common for the diamond engagement ring to have poems or love messages inscribed. One of the most popular 16th and 17th century diamond engagement ring style was known as the fede and consisted of a diamond engagement ring with a diamond heart that was being held by two hands.

During the 18th century, diamonds were discovered in Brazil. This discovery increased the supply of available diamonds for the diamond engagement ring market. Because of this, diamond jewelry such as the diamond engagement ring increased in popularity. The diamond engagement ring that emerged from this time period was typically very romantic and consisted often of diamond hearts and flower sprays.

The wealth that occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution, along with the discovery of diamonds in Africa, makes the diamonds more available for the diamond engagement ring during the Victorian time period. The romantic themes continued to be popular with the banded diamond engagement ring becoming popular. In the year 1886, Tiffany Co first marketed a diamond engagement ring that was a six-prong solitaire.

The platinum filigree or white gold diamond engagement ring was quite popular during the early 20th century. The lace-like and intricate diamond engagement ring that was adored by the Edwardian era women remains popular to this day. White and yellow gold were often used in the diamond engagement ring during the 1930s and the 1940s. It was also popular to have a diamond engagement ring that had smaller side diamonds, flowers, leaves, and hearts.

There are many different diamond engagement ring styles that are popular today, from the contemporary, classic, and antique. The diamond engagement ring today is largely designed to fulfill the particular woman’s style and taste.