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Today almost everyone's interpretation of the engagement ring is some form of "a symbol of ever lasting love and commitment between two people". The most popular type of engagement rings hold diamonds. But where did this tradition begin?
The ancient Romans called their engagement rings the betrothal “truth” ring and were the first to wear the ring on the third finger of the left hand - a simple braided metal band. This surviving tradition stems from the Egyptian belief that the vein from this finger leads straight to the heart.
The use of diamonds in engagement rings is a rather new concept.
During the Middle Ages, sapphires, emeralds and rubies were the norm for those who could afford them. Less wealthy citizens would give a Fede (faith) ring in the form of two clasped hands, more like the modern claddagh engagement rings.
Because diamond is the hardest and strongest mineral on earth it symbolized the unending union of a man and woman in marriage. The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg to Mary of Burgandy. With that gift, it became popular for royalty and the wealthy to give a diamond engagement ring.
Diamonds became more readily available when they were discovered in Brazil in 1840. Diamond cluster engagement rings were fashionable among the wealthy. In 1870 in South Africa, the vast, newly discovered Kimberly diamond region made diamonds readily available and diamond prices fell so that more people could afford them.
The now famous DeBeers Mines was formed by the Englishman Cecil John Rhodes to control the supply and sale of diamonds throughout the world. Even today they control 65% of the worlds diamond trade.
The DeBeers “A Diamond is Forever” campaign in 1947 marked the change in the history of the diamond engagement ring. Subsequent campaigns would convince families to hold onto their diamonds as family heirlooms….and it worked! Demand for new diamonds increased.
In 1953 the world’s two most glamorous women of the time Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell were the stars of the hit film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The plot involves them chasing potential husbands and features a very famous song sung by the blonde bombshell: Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend. This film undoubtedly influenced public opinion at the time and advanced the popularity of diamonds for years afterwards through Hollywood glamour.
This is where the tradition of the diamond engagement ring really took off, from a movie campaign that literally “rocked” the world! Buying a diamond engagement ring isn’t an ancient tradition. It’s a combination of dreaming of being a princess and the compelling Hollywood glamour that the diamond is the only jewel to give your loved one as a sign of engagement. The tradition is here to stay and today 78% of engagement rings are diamond!
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