Many historians trace the history of engagement rings back to ancient Rome, where betrothal rings or finger rings with attached keys symbolized ownership and commitment. This early engagement ring tradition laid the foundation for the ring as a symbol of love and marriage.
In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned the very first diamond engagement ring on record for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. This royal act sparked a trend in European aristocracy, shaping the evolution of engagement ring styles for centuries to follow.
What about the history of diamond engagement rings, specifically? The sentimental Victorians popularized ornate engagement ring designs that mixed diamonds with other gemstones, precious metals, and enamels. Often these rings were crafted in the shapes of flowers and were dubbed “posey rings.” Diamond rings crafted during the Edwardian era continued the tradition of pairing diamonds with other jewels, commonly mounted in filigree settings.
In 1947, De Beers launched its now classic slogan, “A Diamond is Forever.” The durability of a diamond conveyed the meaning in the American psyche that marriage is forever. A diamond’s purity and sparkle have now become symbols of the depth of two people’s commitment to each other in practically all corners of the world. The opening of the De Beers mines in Africa made diamonds more accessible. In the 1930s, when demand for diamond rings declined in the U.S. during hard economic times, the De Beers Company began a marketing campaign using photographs of glamorous movie stars swathed in diamonds. Within three years, the sales of diamonds had increased by 50 percent.
Diamonds still signify the celebration of a union and cherished memory, though more cuts make more styles an easy option for diamond lovers.
Over the years, the most popular cut for diamond engagement rings has always been the round brilliant, consisting of 58 facets that divide the stone into a top and bottom half. Runners up include the princess cut, the emerald cut, and the oval cut, with the cushion cut quickly gaining popularity as a recent trend.
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