Since ancient times, engagement rings have been proof of the desire of two people to unite for the eternal bond between them. But what is the history of this jewellery and what significance does it have today?
The meaning of the engagement ring comes from the past, when the circle was considered a symbol of eternity, of beginning without end. As far back as ancient times, the Egyptians used plants twisted into small circles to be worn on the finger, while wealthy people wore ivory or leather engagement rings.
Placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, the ring is believed to be directly connected to the heart via the amoris vein, which in Latin is called the “vein of love”. I’m sure most of us have heard the story of this vein being directly connected to the heart, but scientifically speaking this connection does not exist.
The history of the engagement ring from antiquity to the present day “All roads lead to Rome”
Just as most of our customs have their origins in Ancient Rome, the engagement rings are no exception. At that time, marriage was more of a family affair, with the Romans being the first to use rings as a symbol of the union between two lovers. Wives were given two engagement rings, the first was made of gold and this was worn in society to show their status and influence at the time. The other ring was made of iron to be worn around the house every day, as household chores contributed to its decay over time, hence the need for a second, less valuable ring.
Middle Ages
In 1477, an order for a diamond engagement ring was first recorded in historical documents, as Archduke Maximilian of Austria wanted this jewel for his fiancée Maria of Burgundy, and the diamond engagement ring became a fashion among European aristocrats.
Enlightenment
During the Enlightenment, “gimmel” rings were given to symbolise the eternal love between two partners. They consist of two or three linked rings which, when worn together, join to create a unified whole. The rings often had a design of two clasped hands, symbolising the union of two people. Between the 15th and 17th centuries in England, rings were made of gold and had a short inscription on the inside, the message hidden from public view to give lovers the reassurance that they were keeping a secret of their own.
1900s
After World War I and the Great Depression, diamond rings became less popular and less relevant to the younger generation. It wasn’t until 1939 that they returned to the limelight, when the diamond mining company De Beers began a major campaign with a slogan that had a great impact on the bourgeoisie, a slogan still known today, ‘A diamond forever’.
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2000s
In modern society, marriages have taken on a different meaning. Whereas in the past they were seen as family affairs and were intended for material gain, now they are choices made out of love, regardless of family wishes or social status. Thanks to these changes, engagement ring trends have also taken a new level, with the emergence of personalised engagement rings and wedding rings that capture the uniqueness of the relationship.
How do we choose the engagement ring?
Well, this is a rather tricky question without a generally valid answer. Engagement rings vary from material, shape, to diamond and its colour. That’s why the sales consultants at MICRI stores are at your disposal for the perfect choice of engagement rings and jewellery sets for the big day, because a bride needs to shine on this gorgeous day. For more details about the shop and to see the wide range of products we invite you to visit our website https://micri.eu/ where you can find more information.
