A quick history of diamond engagement rings

A ring has long been a symbol of wedlock. Photos of your great, great grandparents probably feature a wedding ring. You may have a family heirloom ring. However, you may not know just how long engagement rings have been around, marking a love that never ends.

Pre-history

The first recorded custom engagement ring wasn't seen until 1477. However, rings were used long before that. Throughout history, there are examples of their use. Cavemen used to tie woven bands of grass around the extremities of their betrothed. This practice was meant to bind the woman's soul to his.

Ancient Egyptians have been unearthed wearing a ring on the third finger of their left hands. There is a vein there that runs all the way from the fingertips directly to the heart. For this reason, Egyptians believed that wearing a ring on that finger was a symbol of love.

Ancient Romans wore rings in wedlock as well. Most put on an iron band when indoors and a gold band when out in public. The Romans wore the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand for the same reason as the Egyptians. They believed the vein to the heart was in that finger. Other accounts noted that different fingers were attributed to different Greek and Roman gods. Those who were servants of Zeus, for example, wore a ring on the thumb. The "ring" finger today was once believed to show allegiance to Aphrodite, goddess of love.

Recorded history

In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria - who would later become Holy Roman Emperor - gave Mary, Duchess of Burgundy, the first diamond engagement ring ever recorded in history. The diamonds were cut thin and flat and set in the shape of an M.

Rings became ornate in the Renaissance as metal workers created elaborate bands. These often depicted floral patterns. Band trends came and went as time wore on, but the diamond grew more popular. It was the standard betrothal instrument by the time Queen Victoria I was on the thrown of England.

Engagement rings today

Engagement rings now come in a variety of shapes and designs. Diamond cut shapes are diverse in appearance, ranging from straight lines in square and rectangle cuts to round and mixed. Bands can be as simple as satin metal finishes or can include an eternity of paved diamonds. One thing has not changed, however. Diamonds are still the most popular gem set in engagement rings. Their durability makes them ideal for a jewelry piece that is meant to last a lifetime.