The History of the Engagement Ring

The History of the ENGAGEMENT RING Find out the history and traditions behind the engagement ring in the infographic. ANCIENT TIMES Where the story begins. Did you know? In many countries, engagėment rings were placed on the finger nearest the little finger on the left hand as they believed that this finger contained a vein that Although the ancient Egyptians are sometimes credited with having invented the engagement ring, and the ancient Greeks with having adopted the tradition, the history of the engagement ring can only be reliably traced as far back as ancient Rome. led to the heart. 2nd Century BC the Roman bride-to-be was given two rings, a gold one which she wore in public, and one made of iron which she wore at home while attending to household duties At one time... Roman citizens wore rings made of Iron before Gold was popular. MIDDLEAGES In 860 AD, Pope Nicholas I wrote a letter to Boris I of Bulgaria in reply to questions regarding differences between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox practices. Pope Nicholas describes how in the Western church the man gives his betrothed an engagement ring. At the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215, convoked by Pope Innocent III, the Banns of marriage was instituted, prohibiting dandestine marriages and requiring that marriages be made public in advance. Some legal scholars have seen in this a parallel with the engagement-ring tradition described by Pope Nicholas I. RENAISSANCE The first Diamond Ring The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in imperial court of Vienna in 1477, upon his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy. This then influenced those of higher social dass and of significant wealth to give diamond rings to their loved ones. VICTORIAN ERA 20TH CENTURY Where were Diamonds first discovered? In the United States, the popularity of diamond engagement rings dedined after World War I, even more so after the onset of the Great Depression. Diamonds were first found in South Africa in 1866. In 1947 the slogan, "A Diamond is Forever," was introduced. Ultimately, the De Beers campaign sought to persuade the consumer that an engagement ring is indispensable, and that a diamond is the only acceptable stone for an engagement ring. 1866 Although they were first found in 1866, they weren't actually iden ti fied as Diamonds untíl 1867. 1867 The campaign was very successful. The output of the diamond mines exceeded one million carats per year. As production increased, those of lesser means were able to join in on this movement. However, diamond engagement rings were for a long time seen as the domain of the nobility and aristocracy, and tradition often favoured simpler engagement bands. 80% 8 1872 of engagement rings contained diamonds by 1990 thanks to this campaign. 21ST CENTURY Diamond Rings the rise! are on In the 21st century, especially within Western civilization, it has become a common expectation for the bride-to-be to permanen tly wear her ring as a means of showing her commitment. Modern-day engagement rings come in many different styles, induding Gold and platinum as preferred but common metal types such as titanium, silver, and stainless steel are also used for engagement rings. This allows for the bride-to-be to exert her own individual style into the ring in a simple manner. Lois WWW.LOIS-JEWELLERY.COM @loisjewellery EWELLERYLTD : : : : : : :: :::::