A Quick Look at the History of Engagement Rings

*Guest Post

Love is one of the most profound and life-changing emotions which we can ever experience. If we are lucky, we might even be able to display this sense of commitment to a significant other in the form of a promise. Although the type of promise will sometimes depend upon cultural and even religious factors, the engagement ring represents one of the most universal expressions of such an ethereal sentiment.

This is why it is no great surprise that these rings have existed in one form or another for centuries. How far back can this tradition be traced? Whether you are a history buff or you simply wish to learn more about how seemingly modern practices have their roots in ancient times, the information found below should prove to be quite interesting.

Roman Origins

The Romans gave us heated baths, plumbing and straight roads. Unsurprisingly, they are also thought to have been influential in terms of the engagement ring. Ancient ruins (such as Pompeii) have illustrated that women were known to wear rings attached to small keys. This is thought to have represented a form of “ownership” by their husbands. Although this is obviously not palatable in the 21st century, we can already begin to see the embryonic birth of fidelity on a basic level.

The Middle Ages

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the history of engagement rings is somewhat difficult to track due to a lack of substantial written records. We would have to wait until 1477 for the first concrete evidence of this traditional to re-emerge. Archduke Maximillian of Austria decided to give his soon-to-be bride (Mary of Burgundy) a diamond ring before the wedding day. It did not take long for this action to spark a trend across Europe. Nobles and aristocrats began to order engagement rings, as these were essentially the only classes which were able to afford precious metals and expensive gemstones.

A Victorian Revival

The Victorians were keen on learning about past traditions and they imbued engagement rings with a decidedly ornate flavor. Particularly enamored with lavish accessories, they began to incorporate other precious stones into typical engagement rings. While we might consider many of these designs to be rather gaudy in contemporary times, they were extremely popular during the latter half of the 19th century.

Modern Trends

The 1 carat diamond here clearly illustrates that the pendulum has once again swung back to more streamline designs. However, the simple act of placing a precious stone within the setting of a ring can be traced at least as far back as the 15th century. We have to wonder how Archduke Maximillian would have felt if he were to learn how much of an influence his actions would have upon future trends.

Although there is no way to confirm when the first engagement ring was actually created, it is a foregone conclusion that this tradition will continue to remain popular for millions of couples around the world.

LoveRosiee
xxx