Marriage has always been a much celebrated occasion, and engagement also a reason to rejoice. What better way to celebrate a couple’s love, than by bestowing a beautiful diamond ring for the lady? Rings have been used to announce one’s engagement for centuries, but not everyone has always been privileged to take part in this symbolic gesture. Even before engagement rings, wedding rings were long used to demonstrate a couple’s commitment to one another. The ring is a longstanding symbol of love and unity.The earliest wedding rings were far from glamorous. In Roman times, a simple iron hoop was placed on the finger in a wedding. The circular shape represented the eternal nature of the marriage commitment. A few centuries later, the iron ring was replaced by a band made of gold. The circular symbolic nature of the ring remained the purpose of the ring, and there were no frills or adornments made to the gold. Wedding rings were simply made to serve as a reminder of the lasting promises made.
The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477, when Mary of Burgundy was engaged to Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg. During this time period, diamonds were very rare and very expensive. Only the wealthiest of society (the royalty) could afford to indulge in diamond rings. Diamonds were thought an appropriate symbol for an engagement gift because of the stone’s hardness and resistance to breakage. Like a good marriage, the stones were strong and hard to harm. They have a lasting quality that is desirable in marriage. From the 15th century through the early 19th century, the extreme upper class remained the only members of society who could purchase diamonds.
In the 18th century, diamond mines discovered in Brazil caused an increase in supply. This increase meant that every upper class lady needed a diamond ring to fit in with high society. The upper class was glittering in diamonds during this stage. Following the Brazil discoveries, South African mines were found which proved to be highly productive. These mines were acquired by the British through imperialism. Many more diamond mines were discovered and explored during the 18th and 19th centuries. Diamond rings of this era were elaborate and romantic. Sentimentalism was also important. Queen Victoria’s own diamond engagement ring was in the shape of snake coils, which she thought well represented eternity.
With the Industrial Revolution came a great deal of wealth transferred to the lower classes. This resulted in the birth of the middle class. The middle class had access to many of the monetary assets of the upper class. The only thing missing was birth rank and nobility. This new middle class was now able to join the diamond craze. Working men now had the money in their pockets to buy their sweethearts engagement rings. People liked the style of large clusters of diamonds, as well as diamonds used in bands. Diamond engagement rings gradually became more and more expected when a woman became engaged.
Today, diamonds are well integrated into the fabric of society. A man would not dare ask a woman to marry him unless he had a ring in his hand, or planned on buying her one. Although other stones are occasionally used instead of diamonds for these rings, the diamond is the stand alone favorite gem for use in engagement rings. The first thing friends ask when a woman gets engaged is, “What kind of rock did he give?” Society seems to place a great deal of importance on the size and quality of the engagement ring, as if its value were a reflection on the man’s love and affections. The real purpose of the diamond engagement ring was simply to give women a token symbolizing the strength of a man’s love; size or price was not intended to be the issue-the use of a real diamond was. Because diamonds are unbreakable, so would the man’s love be for his intended wife. Somehow, greed and arrogance have managed to override the true meaning behind the diamond engagement ring.
Lately, the Victorian styled diamond ring has come back into favor with Americans. Every style has its day and runs its course. Trends that have a notable impact tend to come back around again. The Victorian style diamond ring is one of fine details and elegant craftsmanship. The cut of the diamond leaves harsh edges which better capture light and create sparkle than modern cuts. Modern diamond cuts serve to make the diamond appear larger, and they leave the diamond less vulnerable to chipping. This means that modern Americans seem to be more concerned with size and durability than with true beauty and delicacy. The Victorian diamond ring is delicate looking and quite breathtaking in its sparkle. It is about time that American society has rediscovered the elegance and beauty of the traditional diamond ring.
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