Engagement Rings Around The World

Many cultures have different symbols for a betrothal or a promise of marriage, but an engagement ring is the most widely recognized symbol of love in the Western world. Engagement rings can come in many different styles and gem choices, some even being plain bands. It""s only after de Beers launched the advertising campaign entitled “Diamonds are forever” in 1940 that a diamond solitaire became the betrothal ring of choice in the United States.

The de Beers advertising campaign not only cemented the diamond as the gemstone of choice for betrothal rings, but it also made second-hand rings less acceptable within society. Prior to that, it was not unusual for an engagement ring to be an heirloom passed from one generation to the next. However, the trend towards solitaire diamond engagement rings made multicolored, antique, engagement rings less desirable.

Before 1940, engagement rings came with many different gems. Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies were popular choices back then, and they continue to still be popular in France. Germany, Norway, and Denmark, on the other hand, prefer simple gold bands as engagement rings. In the Victorian ages multicolored gem rings were sometimes called regards rings.

It""s customary in the U.S. for only the woman to wear an engagement ring. That may be changing as more women start to give men promise rings. Outside the U.S. the practice of both sexes wearing a betrothal ring is much more common, although that may be because some of them look very much like wedding bands.

Other articles of interest:

• A Guide to Discounted Diamonds
• Unique engagement rings
• Value Rich Updates
• Abazias Diamonds Retains Cantor Fitzgerald
• Engagement Rings Around The World