In western cultures, an engagement ring symbolizes that the person wearing it is to be married. The tradition of the engagement ring goes back quite far and there are many different stories of its origins and began the tradition. It is argued that Archduke Maximilian of Austria began the tradition by proposing to Mary of Burgundy with a ring set with diamonds shaped as an “M.” However, some argue that it was other cultures that started the engagement ring tradition. Below are a list of cultures and societies that claim to have started the engagement ring tradition. There is no completely agreed answer; however, it depends on the culture.
Pre-History
As early as the caveman began a similar tradition in which they tied grass around their partner’s ankle, wrist or finger to bring her spirit under control. While this may not be an “engagement” necessarily, this is the earliest known case of something similar to an engagement before marriage.
2800 BC
There are numerous tombs throughout Egypt in which there are people buried wearing gold and silver wires around their third finger. They had been known to wear these wires as a symbol of marriage.
Victorian Era
Diamonds were first found in South America in 1866. From that point on, diamonds were used in rings. Diamond rings, as we know them today, were first made during this time. However, diamond engagement rings were seen as the domain of the nobility and aristocracy for a long time. Because of this, simpler engagement bands were used instead.
20th Century
By 1938, De Beers would begin a huge marketing campaign that would have a profound impact on engagement rings as well as Platinum & Gold Jewelry. The popularity of the engagement ring began to lose popularity after World War I and especially so after the Great Depression.
However, their campaign used the slogan “diamonds are forever,” and the engagement ring’s popularity began to increase. It was initially believed that the younger generation no longer preferred engagement rings. However, by 1990, 80% of engagement rings had diamonds.
The engagement ring has been around for a very long time. While the initial concept was far different, it really was started as a tradition by archduke Maximilian of Austria. And after its popularity was resurrected after World War II, the engagement ring became how it is known today.
