History of the Engagement Ring

HISTORY OF ENGAGEMENT RINGS

In our guide, we covered the history of the wedding band, but engagement rings have an interesting history of their own. Engagement rings have been known by many different names, symbolized a variety of different things and have not always been made of precious metals and stunning gems.

GREEKS

The ancient Greeks gave engagement rings as a token of care and affection. The Greeks used the engagement ring as a betrothal ring given before marriage. But the ring did not mean marriage but was given to signify friendship.

ROMANS

Romans used wedding bands to show ownership of their wife. And the engagement ring were believed to have carved keys on them. Some people believe that the keys symbolize the woman’s right to access and own half of everything following marriage. The more “mushy” people believe it meant that she had the key to her man’s heart. Some believe that the key represented a galley of some sorts that women would unlock if she were found to be with another who was not her husband.

ROYALTY AND THE AFFLUENT

Engagement rings began to showcase stunning gems encased in precious metals and became popular in around the fourteenth or fifteenth century, when the affluent and the royals began to exchange and wear these jewels. However, these items were so expensive that nobody other than the royals and the rich could afford to exchange them. And it was always the queens and kings who had the crown jewels of the country. But companies saw the popularity of the jewelled engagement ring and created rings that were exquisite yet affordable for common people. Companies like Zales became successful because they created a payment plan to purchase engagement rings.

WHY AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

An engagement is given, usually by a man to a woman, to indicate the man’s seriousness about being with this woman through eternity. A circular symbol, a ring has no break and no end or beginning, thus eternal.

Since ancient Egyptian times, the fourth finger has a vein leading directly to the heart, which is why both engagement rings and wedding rings are worn on this finger and hand.

THEN AND NOW

Yesteryears, the engagement rings were made of grass, plants, or twine during ancient times. Todya they are made with precious metals and gems such as platinum, titanium, white gold, gold, sapphires, diamonds, rubies and emeralds. The engagement has and will always be a significant symbol in our society for eternal commitment and love.

Chip Martin is a former jeweler and writer for www.LeftRingFinger.com

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