While history has seen plenty of cases of rings being given as a symbol of devotion, the custom of men giving women the modern diamond engagement rings on bended knee is a comparatively recent phenomenon.

The Romans gave their womenfolk a betrothal or “truth” ring as a symbol of love and devotion – a long, long time before diamond rings took their place.

In Ancient Greece, however, people extended this concept further by wearing this kind of ring on the third finger of the left hand, because they believed that the vein of that finger, the vena amoris, went directly to the heart, which added yet more weight to the symbolism of the ring, which already symbolised eternal love.

Then, in the Middle Ages, while gemstones had started to be set into jewellery such as diamond earrings or necklaces, upper class men customarily gave their beloved a Gimmal ring, otherwise known as a ‘bond’ ring, which would be set with rubies, sapphires and emeralds to demonstrate their devotion. Those who could afford diamonds would also have these set into their beau’s ring.

In 1215, Pope Innocent III pledged for a longer period of time between proposal and marriage, catalysing a surge in popularity of the ‘commitment’ ring, which was a plain band made of either gold, silver or iron. A law was later passed that was to prevent anyone other than the upper class from wearing precious stones.

Centuries later, these laws faded away and the middle classes became able to wear precious gems. Set with the birthstones of the bride and groom in the centre, flanked by the birthstones of the pair’s parents, six-stone rings consequently became an increasingly popular choice.

When Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring to symbolise their engagement to wed in 1477, the modern form of what we now call the engagement ring was born, and the fashion spread across Europe form this point.

The discovery of diamonds in Brazil and South Africa resulted in a surge of diamonds to the market, which in turn brought diamond prices down and demand up.

In the 20^th century DeBeers diamond company invented the notion that a diamond engagement ring should customarily cost one month’s wage, and later, that was increase to two months, while in 1947, the company launched what now seems like an age-old slogan – “a diamond is forever”.

Photo credit © Alena Ozerova | Dreamstime.com

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