The History of Engagement Rings
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The History of Engagement Rings |
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While the earliest recorded engagement rings were in the 15th century, there are theories on the prehistoric origin of the practice of engagement. One such theory has it that the primitive man used to bind a woman’s feet and hands with clusters of grass to make her stay, and once it is certain that she will not run away, the binds are gradually taken off, starting with those on the feet, until only a piece of twine remained on her finger. Another belief is that man and woman were bound together with entwined reeds to signify their unity, the bind having been condensed to a ring through time. Contemporary engagement customs may have descended from the ancient Greek practice of giving betrothal rings as a symbol of love or affection, though this practice did not necessarily lead to marriage. It wasn’t until the Medieval times that the engagement ring became part of Catholic marriage practices. Meanwhile, the common practice of wearing the engagement ring on the third finger of the left hand began with the Romans, from which the so-called Vein of Love was believed to run straight to the heart, a belief that is ascribed to the Egyptians. The earliest recorded engagement ring, one given by Archduke Maximillian to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, was incidentally made of gold and diamond, and this may have began the rise in popularity of diamond engagement rings. A sturdy gemstone, the diamond may have been preferred as a symbol of lasting unity, and it became popular among the European royalty as well as the wealthy citizens. By the 1700s, more diamonds became available, with the discovery of Brazilian sources. The late 1800s, however, saw a rise in diamond supply, with the discovery of a diamond region in South Africa, and the consequent formation of the presently renowned diamond supplier, the De Beers Consolidated Mines. These events, however, added to the popularity of other rare gems, such as ruby and sapphire, as adornments to engagement rings, while the diamond became quite common and thus more affordable. Meanwhile, the practice of presenting a bride-to-be with two rings, the engagement ring and the wedding ring, and the bride wearing them both on the same finger, eventually became customary. Also, diamonds will not have become the acceptable or most desirable adornment to an engagement ring until the 1900s. Thanks to a De Beers ad campaign, the diamond engagement ring became quite the standard it continues to be. |
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5/13/2008 7:15:36 |