A Brief Overview Of The Engagement Ring
24 May 2010
The giving or receiving of a ring upon becoming betrothed goes back to the most ancient civilizations. However, these were usually just a simple band of metal rather than the elaborate gems modern brides consider today. The oldest known diamond rings was bestowed in 1477 by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy. Diamonds were then very rare and only the richest could afford them. But during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the supply increased dramatically. Average income also increased during the Industrial Revolution. The combination of the two factors allowed diamonds to be purchased by more people.
Solitaire engagement rings remain the most widely sold style. Although solitaire merely indicates that there is a single stone, most of them are round cut. The way it is mounted, however, can vary widely. Many jewelers consider that a round cut displays the diamond’s sparkle to its utmost.
A trilogy ring is a variation on a solitaire. This style has two small stones with a larger one between them. These are typically all three diamonds, but variations have become very popular in recent decades. Sometimes, a sapphire, emerald, or ruby is substituted for the center diamond, while at other times the bride may choose her birthstone.
If you decide on an antique engagement ring, keep in mind that the ring need only be fifty years or older to qualify as an antique. As such, many of these are set with diamonds. Those from the twenties and thirties are often art deco styles, and may also include colored gemstones. Older rings may not have diamonds at all but consist of other stones, especially those from the Middle Ages. An ornate style is also common in these rings.
Over the past few decades, princess cut engagement rings have grown increasingly popular. This cut features a flat top and is square in shape. Sometimes that are recessed into the band, but more often they are mounted with the prongs covering the stone’s corners.
Emerald cut stones are rectangular in shape. Typically they have facets along each side and a top that is flat. The marquis stone is fairly round, but it will taper into a point at each end. Pear shaped cuts are rounded at one end and sharply pointed on the other end. They are more often made into pendants, earrings, or set among additional stones since their shape is not considered an attractive solitaire.
Many modern beliefs about diamonds are not historic traditions, but instilled by advertising campaigns launched by the major jewelers. For instance, the suggestion that a groom spend at least two times his monthly salary on an engagement ring came from such a campaign. However, diamonds have only continued to grow in popularity among prospective brides. Thankfully, diamonds are now more plentiful, affordable, and varied, which lets almost every bride add a sparkler to her hand.
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