The Engagement Ring Finger

A couple of years ago my youngest daughter, who will always be me baby girl, was engaged to a wonderful man. He presented her with a stunning diamond engagement ring on vacation. When she said yes, what a joyous time that was for them both. I’m sure he was nervous, just like when my husband proposed to me. Ladies, remember when the love of your life proposed to you with a stunning engagement ring that took your breath away. What a joyous event that took place in your life! By the way, did you know that engagement rings haven’t always contained stones or diamonds?

Giving engagement rings began in Egyptian times. The rings were made from “reeds and hemp with its circular shape representing the circle of life, the sun, and moon to form a bond between husband and wife.” (www.capetowndiamondmuseam.com/historyofengagementring) Engagement rings were worn on the left hand on the third finger, because the Egyptians believed that there was a vein that ran from the heart to the third finger, signifying love. Then later in Roman times, engagement rings were made from metal, lead, brass, and copper.

The Romans gave an engagement ring to represent ownership of his future bride; my how times have changed. According to antiquetrader.com, the engagement ring signified a marriage contract that was in place, as well as, symbolizing the ownership of the daughter would soon transfer from the father to the future groom. In public, the gold ring would be worn, gold represented wealth, however, at home the young lady took off the gold ring and replaced it with an iron one.

It wasn’t until 1477, when Archduke Maximillion of Austria gave his beloved, Mary of Burgandy a diamond engagement ring, which started the diamond engagement ring. The diamonds were set in the shape of an M for Mary. She was so taken back that she left the man she was with to marry the Archduke. I guess the saying is true, “A diamond is a girl’s best friend.”  The diamond engagement ring set a trend with those who could afford diamond jewelry.

Not everyone could afford diamonds during this time, only the Aristocrats and nobility. During this time, diamonds were mined in India, where they were first discovered. A law was passed that only the rich could wear expensive jewelry because it displayed wealth. Later, that law was not always followed. In the 18^th century diamonds became abundant due to the discovery of diamonds in Africa, allowing even the middle class to afford them. It wasn’t until the Edwardian period that diamond engagement rings really became popular.

Lang Antique Edwardian 3 Diamond Engagement Ring

During the Great Depression fake diamonds, spinals, amethysts, citrine, and pearls were used in engagement rings. Then in 1938, DeBeers Co., who owned 90% of the diamonds in Africa, started a marketing campaign, “A diamond is forever,” in order to help the sales of diamond engagement rings.

Today, diamond engagement rings are still given to the love of a man’s life, continuing the symbolizing spending eternity with his love. However, some prefer other stones, for example, sapphires are the main stone in an engagement ring. Traditions are different for different people.  Did you know that not all engagement rings are placed on the woman’s left hand? Countries in Western Europe, such as England, France, Germany, and Norway, as well as Canada and Russia are some of the countries where women wear their engagement rings on their right hand. In France, popular engagement rings have rubies, emeralds and sapphires In Chile, both men and women wear engagement rings and on their right hand. In Hindu cultures, some women wear toe rings called Bichiya, while some women choose the western culture of wearing engagement rings. Are you familiar with any others?

Isn’t it amazing how far the engagement ring has changed from Egyptian times through today?! As time has progressed, so have the materials of the engagement ring and its reason behind it. However, one thing has remained the same, the reason for giving it, a man wanting to spend the rest his life with the woman he loves.