Have you and your partner become closer as a result of the Covid pandemic? According to jeweller statistics, the number of engagement rings sold has increased by 22 percent in the previous two years, as has the number of engagement ring searches conducted online.
Throughout the Covid epidemic, weddings have been postponed or cancelled, but the promise of marriage through an engagement ring has become more valuable and significant to couples. The engagement ring symbolises brighter days ahead, therefore there is a lot of romance. Engagement rings, on the other hand, haven’t always been so romantic.
In fact, engagement rings have a fascinating history that you should consider when picking your own engagement ring and what period of history you want it to represent!
The Origins Of A Tradition In Ancient Rome:
The use of an engagement ring was originally mentioned in Ancient Rome. Copper, iron, and flint were common materials for these rings, but ivory and bone were also used.
The tradition of wearing a ‘home’ and a ‘journey’ ring originates in Ancient Rome. When out in public, the house ring is normally composed of iron, but it is replaced with a gold ring in public. Nowadays, it’s common to choose a less expensive ring to wear when travelling while keeping the most valuable ring at home for safekeeping.
While Roman women were often given two engagement rings, the reasons for the jewels were rarely romantic. Instead, the ring was often used to signify a business agreement or obedience.
Ring of Rome:
Approval by the Pope: A Sign Of Intent.
By the year 855, the engagement ring had evolved from a symbol of obedience to a symbol of a man’s intent to marry his fiancée. Pope Nicholas I declared this, and engagement rings were typically made of gold.
The Diamond Custom:
Diamond engagement rings remain the most popular choice today, with 87 percent of brides saying they prefer diamonds over any other gemstone in their ring. The first diamond engagement ring, according to tradition, was given to Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed to his fiancée Mary of Burgundy in 1477. The ring was adorned with diamonds and featured diamonds placed in the shape of a ‘M’ to honour her name.
Gimmel Rings: Early Trinity Rings:
Gimmel rings were a common choice for engagement rings by the 15th century. These rings were made up of two or three rings joined together by hoops or links. The trinity ring, as we know it today, is still a popular trend.
Gimmal rings frequently had a handclasp design, which represented the couple’s union as well as their romantic bond.
Engagement Rings With Signatures:
The new vogue for engagement rings in the 17th century was to carve a secret message on the inside of the band. In comparison to the intricacy of a gimmel ring clasp design, engagement rings were frequently a basic gold band during this time period. For the passionate feeling portrayed on the engagement band, these bands were known as poesy rings and were the height of romanticism.
To this day, signing engagement rings and having personalised engravings on the band for that extra-special secret are still popular choices.
Engagement Rings with Extravagance:
By Victorian times, gemstone mining and jewellery making had grown into a massive business. Furthermore, the concept of dowries in marriage remained a key element. As a result, engagement rings were more extravagant and costly as the greatest way to symbolise the stability of a dowry and promise to marriage.
Because of the Gold Rush at the time, many Victorian engagement rings were made of 18k gold, and gemstone cutting equipment had improved, giving more alternatives for varied cuts.
Engagement rings became more showy and designed into symbols of riches during the Victorian period, which was perhaps the most significant change. With a ring in the shape of a serpent and an emerald, King Albert proposed to Queen Victoria. Dragons, doves, spiders, crabs, and foxes were among the most popular Victorian patterns.
Diamonds are eternal:
De Beers established the marketing campaign “Diamonds are Forever” in the 1940s, which became synonymous with everlasting love between romantic couples, and diamond engagement rings surged in popularity as a result. A popular trend that continues to this day.
The better the ring, less romantically, the more protection for women. In the United Kingdom, there was a legislation that allowed women to sue males if they broke off an engagement. Until 1970, this was a law. This dowry and security were symbolised by having a high-quality engagement ring. Because a woman could be financially devastated and have her image tarnished as a result of a broken engagement, possessing a ring to sell meant she could subsist until her reputation was restored.
Engagement Ring with Sapphire:
Colored gemstones are becoming increasingly fashionable for engagement rings in the twenty-first century. When Prince William proposed to the Duchess of Cambridge in 2010, the pattern was established. Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond ring served as their engagement ring.
Every year since then, searches for coloured stone engagement rings have increased by 10%. After diamond engagement rings, emerald engagement rings are now the second most popular, with sapphire close behind. The Duchess of Cambridge’s ring has also sparked a new trend in engagement rings, with the halo design becoming a popular choice among jewellers.
Perhaps more essential, the sentimentality of the ring is the current hot topic in engagement rings. Engagement rings tell a love story and are unique to the pair — whether it’s delving into the symbolism of the gemstones used, the narrative of the ring design, or even bespoke designs, engagement rings have never meant more to couples.
