When Did Diamonds Become Associated with Engagement Rings?
The first recorded diamond engagement ring was gifted by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his soon-to-be bride, Mary of Burgundy in 1477. This initiated a vogue for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility.
Sentimental Victorians popularized engagement ring designs that mixed diamonds and other gemstones, precious metals, and enamels. They were frequently in flower shapes, and were known as “posey rings.” Edwardian Era Engagement Rings The juxtaposition of diamonds with other precious stones, often set in filigree was a tradition for diamond rings during the Edwardian era.
A marriage proposal is accepted when the recipient receives an engagement ring. Anthropologists trace this tradition to a Roman custom in which wives wore rings attached to small keys, indicating their husbands’ ownership.
The Austria Royalty Diamond Engagement Ring Connection
The first recorded diamond engagement ring was gifted by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his soon-to-be bride, Mary of Burgundy in 1477. This initiated a vogue for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility.
Sentimental Victorians popularized engagement ring designs that mixed diamonds and other gemstones, precious metals, and enamels. They were frequently in flower shapes, and were known as “posey rings.” Edwardian Era Engagement Rings The juxtaposition of diamonds with other precious stones, often set in filigree was a tradition for diamond rings during the Edwardian era.
De Beers Connection Diamond Engagement Ring
In 1947, De Beers debuted its now iconic marketing slogal “A Diamond is Forever.” The unbreakable nature of the diamond had symbolism for the American consciousness, forever meaning marriage.
Now, a diamond’s purity and dazzle is emblematic of how deeply two individuals worldwide promise to treasure one another. The DeBeers mines in Africa made diamonds more accessible.
In the 1930s, when demand for diamond rings declined in the U.S. during hard economic times, the De Beers Company began a marketing campaign using photographs of glamorous movie stars swathed in diamonds. Within three years, the sales of diamonds had increased by 50 percent.
It’s still about celebrating a union and preserved memory, but with more cuts come more styles as an easy path for diamond lovers.
The History of Popular Cuts
The round brilliant, made up of 58 facets that divide the stone into a top half and a bottom half, is by far the most popular cut for diamond engagement rings. The princess cut, the emerald cut and the oval cut are a few runners up, with cushion cuts trending all of a sudden.
Are you proposal ready?
Find the perfect proposal tips and more from Luna Felix Jewelry, then when you’re ready, come visit us. When you are ready to make the commitment of your life and prepare for a custom diamond engagement ring, contact Luna Felix jewelry store at 505.470.5611 in Santa Fe New Mexico.