What is the biggest contribution engagement rings have made to humankind? Several factors have contributed to this development. Like round engagement rings represent a commitment, an investment, and a love story. The following are some of those factors. However, if you want to buy an engagement ring for your girlfriend, there are many ways you can do so. Read on to learn more about the history of engagement rings and how they can be an immense contribution to human civilization.
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An unbroken cycle
The history of engagement rings stretches back to the ancient Romans. According to the Gemological Institute of America, rings were made from ivory, flint, bone, copper, and Roman women traditionally wore iron. They symbolized a new business contract and affirmed love. Roman remains have revealed gold jewelry. These rings are still popular today. The history of engagement rings is not complete, however.
A symbol of love
The earliest engagement rings were not diamonds; they were made of woven cords. Cave dwellers tied them around their female mate and untied them once they were sure she would not leave them. However, diamonds were only used in engagement rings in the fourteenth century, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring.
The ring shape is essential for the meaning it conveys. Rings are circular in shape, and they have profound meaning. A circle represents infinite love, a connection, and a serendipitous meeting. These are just a few of the symbols the ring holds. Whether you are proposing to someone or you’re planning a wedding, engagement rings are timeless physical reminders of your love and devotion to each other.
An investment
It is not surprising that women buy engagement rings for their significant others. After all, women spend the most money on engagement rings compared to men, and a diamond engagement ring is often one of the most expensive purchases a woman can make. However, the question remains: what is the best price for a diamond engagement ring?
A symbol of commitment
Engagement rings have been used in many cultures throughout history. Initially, rings served as a symbol of ownership. Men would present gold rings to their wives, which they could wear at home. However, over the years, the meaning of engagement rings has shifted to represent love and commitment. Diamonds were the first gemstone to be used in engagement rings, and their abundance in South Africa fueled the desire for these stunning rings. Engagement ring sales slowed during the Great Depression, but they grew again once the economy began to improve.
Ancient Greek and Roman authors and playwrights wrote about love-based marriages. The Greeks and Romans also spoke of such a bond, which is one of the reasons engagement rings were used so often. During the Middle Ages, engagement rings took on an entirely new meaning. The Catholic Church endorsed the significance of engagement rings and incorporated them into the wedding ceremony 500 years later. Throughout these centuries, diamonds were a luxury, and they remained a luxury until the late 1800s, when mines in South Africa began producing these precious stones.
A symbol of wealth
Giving engagement rings is a tradition that spans all cultures and religions. While this is not a legal requirement, the ring’s meaning is up to the individual. A ring can symbolize wealth, status, or even a personal reminder of love. Whether these meanings are appropriate for your partner depends on your personal beliefs and cultural background. Listed below are some examples of engagement rings that have important implications.
Before the 20th century, only the wealthy could afford engagement rings, a sign of aristocracy. However, a diamond engagement ring was first gifted to the future queen Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian in 1477. This engagement ring became a symbol of wealth and power, and the brides of wealthy merchants began ordering diamond engagement rings for their future wives. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, diamonds and rubies were considered symbols of love, and they are now used in many rings as a symbol of wealth.
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