A while back a good friend suggested I write a post on the origin of engagement rings, and since last week another good friend got engaged, I decided this was the perfect time to take up her idea.
So here is a short history of engagement rings:
- Anthropologists believe the tradition of engagement rings dates back to the Romans, who used both iron and gold rings.
2. In the early 13th century Pope Innocent III instituted some rules regarding marriage, including a mandatory waiting period between betrothal and marriage. Rings used during this time were most likely plain (without gems).
3. The first diamond engagement ring on record was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477 after an advisor counselled: “At the betrothal Your Grace must have a ring set with a diamond and also a gold ring.” The engagement ring featured thin, flat pieces of diamonds in the shape of an “M” and started a trend for diamond rings among European aristocracy.
4. American Puritans gave thimbles as betrothal gifts; sometimes these were cut and made into rings.
5. The Victorians popularized ornate engagement rings featuring diamonds mixed with other gems.
6. Until diamonds were discovered in South Africa in the 1870s, they were too rare and expensive for most people to afford.
7. In 1888 several South African mines merged to form De Beers Company, so they could control the flooding of diamonds into the world market.
8. In the 1890s diamond engagement rings appeared in mail-order catalogues, such as Sears & Roebuck.
9. When demand for diamond rings declined, partly due to the Great Depression, De Beers Company launched an aggressive (and successful) marketing campaign in 1938.
10. In 1947 De Beers coined their slogan “A Diamond is Forever” and within 20 years 80% of American brides wore diamond rings.
Sources
American Gem Society: “The History of the Diamond as an Engagement Ring”
Mental Floss: “Why Engagement Rings Are Made with Diamonds”
The Natural Sapphire Company: “The History of Engagement Rings”
Reader’s Digest: “The History of Engagement Rings”
I love this, mostly because I have heard some skeptics claim that the tradition of engagement rings is completely a result of advertising. I’m glad to see there is a much longer history – however, it’s also pretty crazy how successful De Beer’s advertising campaign was!
I also came across many articles claiming that engagement rings are related to treating women as chattel. I didn’t realize so many people were against them. (The only reason I don’t have one is that I thought my wedding ring would look better by itself!)
Thank you for this! I don’t know why people would object to an engagement ring on principle. Hey – I’m all about free jewelry! Haha!
Another huge debate is who gets the ring if the engagement is broken off. *shakes head*
Issue after issue! 😀