Diamonds Weren't Always Forever

The Evolution of the Engagement Ring

The charming R1333

The practice of giving your betrothed an engagement ring dates back all the way to the days before written history. Early civilizations used a number of different things to symbolize their dedication to their partner, from braids of grass to iron bands to silver and gold wire worn on the third finger of their left hands, believed to be connected directly to the heart by the ancient Egyptians.

SR43942, a diamond is forever

Over time, the style and connotation of the engagement ring changed and still widely varies, especially across different cultures. The first time a diamond was even used for the purpose of a marriage proposal was in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy. The ring was set with thin, flat pieces of diamonds modeled in the shape of an "M".

A classic, R1125

In 1886, Tiffany & Co. changed the engagement ring game by introducing their "Tiffany setting", a six-prong ring designed to maximize a diamond’s brilliance by raising it up from the band. As this has become one of the most common designs for an engagement ring, many of them still hold true to that classic style.

A fiery emerald for the R1245E

Actual diamond rings, though, were not as popular as you might think! Up until the 1940s, colored stones were used much more widely than diamonds to adorn a ring's center. Sapphires, rubies and emeralds were among the most commonly used in these engagement rings. In recent years, we've seen a slight comeback in this as these other precious stones are seen more and more as an engagement center stone.

The spellbinding shank of the R1228

However, it was not until 1948 when the legendary De Beers diamond company introduced its famous slogan, “A Diamond Is Forever” , that diamonds quickly became a symbol of everlasting love and took its place as the much sought after engagement ring stone it is today.

A two-tone R768

With the diamond set as the prominent stone to use in engagement rings, it soon became the style of the ring that began to change and evolve. Starting in the early to mid-1900s, fashion and breakthrough metal techniques provided by new mechanical technologies allowed for crafters and designers to make engagement rings to look just about however they wanted. And the evolution of the engagement ring still continues to this day! From twisted bands and engraved shanks to colored accent stones and two-tone metal, the modern engagement ring really has no standard design. Only the imagination of the wearer limits what ring we can create.

Black rhodium completes this R1305PS

Though the engagement ring has indeed evolved much over the centuries, and continues to be ever-changing in its style and composition, the reason why we give and wear them remains the same. It is a declaration of one's undying commitment to another, a timeless and valued symbol of happiness and love.