The consensus of opinion is that the engagement ring idea was first developed by the Romans and the Greeks around two and a half thousand years ago. The Roman versions were described as ‘betrothal’ rings and were often made from iron to symbolise the permanence of this betrothal. One of the traditional ideas was that the ring would resemble a key or have a key symbol within it. This symbolised a key to unlock the heart of the groom and also unlocking a new life for the bride to be!
A few years later in 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas the First decreed that a gold ring was to be the official symbol of a couple’s decision to marry. Gold was chosen to signify the financial sacrifice that the groom would make but I am sure that the durability and desirable colour were other reasons.
Gems soon started to appear in engagement rings and in the 15th century it became a tradition to have a diamond. Royal families were setting the trend with stone set engagement rings and other precious stones made there way onto the rings. Symbolically ruby stood for love, emerald for home and diamonds for fidelity and the strength of the relationship.
As with the materials being stooped in symbolism, the choice of finger was not just purely random. A vein in the ring finger, vena amoris, was believed to lead directly into the heart. With the heart being the symbolism for love, this finger was a suitable choice.
Speeding into the 20th century, with the help of excellent marketing from DeBeers, the engagement ring has become an almost essential purchase for any couple in a serious relationship. Whereas some may not be a happy about the effectiveness of DeBeers marketing, especially the idea that the ring should cost 3 months salary, you cannot argue that the engagement ring has become a symbolic, desirable and important article of modern times.
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