History of the Engagement Ring

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 20^th 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 21^st 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. 

The wedding season is approaching and the presence of so many jewelers has made the task for consumers challenging to select the best and most trusted diamond jewellery store. But to get the best quality engagement rings in competitive prices, the buyer should compare the mark up prices offered by various stores. Also, the jewellery store with a customer-friendly approach will always stand apart in this industry. To this end, some of the leading diamond jewellery stores in Delhi &NCR offer personalized visits by company’s sales representatives for full customer satisfaction.