Engagement
ring is one of the most coveted possessions of a couple exchanged in the solemn
bond of matrimony. However, the tradition of exchanging rings was not popular
in the history and originally it was worn only by women. It was the Renaissance
phase, which influenced the aristocracy to give diamond rings to their loved
ones on the auspicious occasion of engagement.
The
tradition of “engagement rings” can be traced back to ancient Egyptian times as
Egyptian burials are found donning a gold or silver wire on the third finger of
the left hand. According to ancient beliefs, this is vena amoris, the vein that led to the heart. This was followed by
Romans in second century BCE. The traditional design during this period was a
key made from brass, bronze or iron which signified that the ring unlocked a
new life for the married woman. Thus, the custom of giving engagement rings
disappeared after the fall of Roman Empire and it was again revived in the
Renaissance era. The first well documented record of using a diamond engagement
ring was that of Archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg Dynasty in Austria who
proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a ring set with thin and flat pieces of
diamonds.
During the
age of Reformation, the wedding ring was replaced by the betrothal ring and it
was primarily associated with marriage. However, it was in the Victorian era
that diamonds were mined in large quantities in South Africa. Even at this
time, the diamond engagement rings were majorly owned by the nobility and the
aristocracy. Rest the common masses resorted to simpler engagement bands. It
was only during the Second World War in the 20th century, a diamond
company De Beers started a massive ad-campaign to rope in the common masses. As
Americans were progressing massively during this time and it was during this
time that diamond jewellery market became a mass market wherein diamond engagement rings became embedded in our
culture.
With the advancement in technology in the
21st century, diamond
engagement rings of all shapes and sizes and studded in different base
metals are available in the vast market catering to the needs of not just women
but also men. Today, there
are a variety of engagement ring styles available in the market. Buyers today
generally prefer either gold or a platinum base or a combination of the two in
their engagement rings. They are studded with different shaped and coloured solitaires
such as pear, marquise, emerald, radiant, cushion, heart, princess shapes. Keeping
the consumers preferences in mind and using state-of-the-art-technology, the
jewellery designers are producing impeccable designs.
