The story of the engagement ring is one that is largely cross-cultural and stretches across an sizable span of time. For whatever researching engagement rings either for further facts or for a background knowledge on the subject, a small history will provide some extra detail to one of our most fascinating traditions of jewellery.
With today's focus on "green" issues, it is fascinating to study that among some ancient settlers, perishable materials or plant material or leather were laced and used in a similar way as a fastener of a couple's commitment. Only persisting a short time, these could be replaced with wear, something that fortunately does not have to be done with the modern engagement ring.
Engagement Rings - Tradition and History
Less costly metals were ordinarily used and the Roman's were well known to use Iron for such rings that marked the longevity and durability of the relationship. Nowadays, we have more costly metals, carefully purified and alloyed to make sure that the cease is exceptional, that they are functional, enduring and more importantly, to make sure that they withstand everyday wear. Most rings are also hypoallergenic, an prominent observation today. Gold came into play as the metal of choice, within many cultures carrying wealth in the form of gold. Being used as a form of currency, it made sense to also wear some of this wealth in the form of rings and jewellery. It was once a payment towards the bride that the prospective groom purchased the gold ring with his intention to marry.
The tradition of wearing the ring on the third finger is understanding to have originated from the Greeks, who believed the vein that led to the heart, flowed from the third finger of the left hand. This began the tradition of using this as the ring finger and even today, we still wear the engagement ring on this third finger of the left hand.
The use of a particular ring has not always been the sole tradition. Religion has played a central role in culture straight through the ages and within Christianity, the aspect of the Holy Trinity lead to the ornamentation of three individual rings on separate fingers. Today, we find the trilogy ring, or three stone solitaire engagement ring that can serve a similar function, although for most people, it is purely a create element that is the motivation for the three stone engagement ring, or the personal point of three diamonds within the engagement ring.
The very first solitaire engagement ring that is in the historical description was that owned by Mary of Burgundy given to her by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. This was believed to be in 1477. Who would think that the solitaire engagement ring would have such rich and lengthy history. From these individuals, a tradition was born that has been running ever since. With the growth in mining and discovery of rich sources of diamonds in South Africa in the late Nineteenth Century, diamonds became more lowly for engagement rings among wealthier individuals.
Today, it is very popular to have engagement rings engraved with a short message on the inside. This was something as popular in Victorian times, if not more so.
We have been subject to a wealth of marketing for solitaire engagement rings and many of the advertising campaigns have come to be iconic over the years. N. W. Ayers working on behalf of DeBeers produced one of the most memorable strap-lines produced. "A solitaire is Forever," became synonymous with diamonds and DeBeers and has been used ever since. Carrying with it the understanding of permanence and endurance, what great gem is there to symbolise eternal love in the middle of two people.
Engagement Rings - Tradition and History
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