A quick look through the history of the engagement ring, from its origins during the Medieval era to its modern trappings. All in all, diamond rings make any girl sing and history shows it. Learn a little and let Savoy Diamonds teach you all about why diamond engagement rings are a girl's best friend.
2. Pre-History and BC
The Cro-Magnon man gave cords and belts
made from braided grass to his chosen mate.
2800 BC: Egyptians are buried wearing gold
or silver wire on their left ring finger.
2nd century BC: Pliny the Elder writes that men
give their brides a gold ring to wear at special
events and an iron ring to wear at home
1st century BC: Puzzle rings are recorded in Asia,
used to tag wives.
3. The Middle Ages
6th century AD: In England, the bride received her key ring, literally a
ring that hung about the waist and held the keys to the couple’s new
home. Below is an excerpt of the words spoken by the father of the
bride:
“I give thee my daughter to be thy honor and thy wife,
to keep thy keys, and to share with thee in thy bed and
good.”
1217: The Bishop of Salisbury, Herbert Poore, ended what the practice
of seducing girls into fake marriages with rings made of rush, a type of
plant made of stemlike leaves. The Bishop declared that these
marriages were now legally binding.
14th century AD: Gold rings were married to gems in dazzling
combinations. These rings were sported by royals who chose their gems
based on their meaning. The ring below features a roughly cut sapphire
stone.
4. Spotlight: The Gimmal
The gimmal ring is a ring with two to three hoops that link
together to form a complete ring.
These gimmal rings were most popular during the 16th and
17th centuries in Europe. The bride and groom would wear
the separate rings until they delivered their vows. Then,
the rings would be rejoined and given to the bride.
These rings would usually be inscribed with popular
verses, including the oft-repeated:
“What God had joined together, let no man put
asunder.”
5. The 18th Century
During the 1700s, poesy rings are all the rage
across Europe. These rings are engraved with
rhyming mottos, which can be found on the
interior of the ring, visible only to the wearer.
The 18th century witnessed the rise of the Irish claddagh
ring. This ring featured two hands
holding a heart wearing a
crown. The name, claddagh, comes
from the village in Ireland where it was most
often used.
This era is known well for introducing the wedding band.
This second ring was joined with the engagement ring
during the ceremony.
These wedding bands were adorned with diamonds due to
an ample supply found in Brazil. This discovery made the
diamond engagement ring more accessible to the upper
classes.
6. The 19th Century
The Victorians were known as a highly
sentimental people, often using gemstones to
spell out the names of or endearments for their
loved ones.
1867: A discovery of diamonds in the
Cape Colony increased supply of the
gem.
1886: Tiffany & Co. introduces their famous
setting, the Tiffany setting. This six-prong design
maximizes the brilliance of the diamond.
7. Acceptance
The 1890s saw the introduction of affordable
wedding
rings and diamond engagement rings into mail-
order catalogs.
By the early 1940s, engagement rings have
become the flagship items for most department
stores in the U.S.
From here on, diamonds are worn by movie stars
and other celebrities to create demand for the
item.
8. Quotes about Diamonds
“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number you get in a
diamond.” - Mae West
“Big girls need big diamonds.” – Elizabeth Taylor
“This diamond has so many carats it’s almost a
turnip.” – Richard Burton
“Better a diamond with a flaw than pebble
without.” – Confucius
“Kissing your hand may make you feel very good,
but a diamond lasts forever.” – Anita Loos
