The solitaire engagement ring is as synonymous as kneeling for a marriage proposal. It made us start to wonder when this tradition began.
We decided to do some digging, and we found out it actually has a surprising historical lineage. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s customary to produce an engagement ring for the love of your life, read on.
We’re unfolding the surprising history of solitaire engagement rings.
A Trip Back to 200 B.C.E.
Some traditions have deep routes, and the engagement ring is no different. Our research discovered the first engagement rings were first used in Ancient Rome around 200 B.C.E.
Women in Ancient Rome wore rings as a symbol of a business contract or mutual love and obedience. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it?
These first rings came from different kinds of materials, including:
- Flint
- Bone
- Copper
- Silver
- Gold
By around 200 C.E., the material most common for early engagement rings in Ancient Rome was gold.
Next Stop, Pompeii
The city of Pompeii has a rich and exciting history. But did you know that engagement rings are also a part of it?
According to records, women in Pompeii wore two rings, one at home and one in public. By 79 C.E., women wore iron rings at home and gold rings in public.
The Pope Doth Declare!
By 850 C.E., Pope Nicholas I declared an engagement ring symbolized an intent to marry. The Betrothal Ring was a token of financial sacrifice.
Gold was the standard material used.
Archduke Maximilian the Romantic
The first time in recorded history that diamonds appeared on an engagement ring was in 1477. Archduke Maximilian, I gave the first official engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy.
The ring had long, narrow diamonds that made an “M” shape.
That makes him the most romantic man in history in our books. Good on you, Max!
Diamonds in the New World
Engagement rings went through many incarnations before arriving in America in 1840. Even so, diamond rings didn’t become popular or common in American until around the 1930s.
That was due to the great diamond discovery in Cape Colony (South Africa) in 1867.
In the 1940s, the two-ring ceremony increased from 15% to 85% of ceremonies. As a result, diamond engagement rings became the leading jewelry in department stores.
Hollywood Boosts Bling
By 1947, DeBeers launched their infamous advertising campaign claiming diamonds are forever. Hollywood starlets wore diamond engagement rings on and off the screen.
That increased the diamond solitaire ring’s popularity in the market we see today.
New Gems Are Gaining Popularity
If you’re ready for her to say yes, but don’t want to go traditional, why not try a moissanite solitaire engagement ring? They are fashionable, stunning, and brilliant. They make a great diamond alternative.
While diamonds are forever, many Hollywood stars are opting for different colored gems. Even Prince Henry gave Kate a blue sapphire engagement ring.
Head over to Gemorie for the latest in beautiful moissanite solitaire engagement rings.
