History of Engagement Rings

Image Courtesy BrilliantEarth.com

A while back I shared with you my Engagement Ring Rant and how, in my personal opinion, ladies expect way too much to be spent on the ring that's meant to be a promise of betrothal, not a hand trophy. I mentioned the way that the DeBeers Diamond Company has shaped our idea that bigger and brighter is better when it comes to love, and how that's shallow and wrong...

Blah blah, me and my famous rants!


Interestingly, Brilliant Earth has posted a comprehensive history of the engagement ring that dates back to ancient Egyptian times. Thought it was worth a read!

Engagement Ring Trends of the Past, Present and Future

The modern engagement ring has a history that dates back to the ancient Egyptians, if not earlier. Here’s a timeline of how the ultimate symbol of love and commitment has evolved from then until now. 

Ancient Past: 

Egyptians have been found buried with metal wire around the third finger of their left hands, which was believed to be directly connected to the heart by a vein. Engagement rings were also used to some degree in ancient Rome. 

Middle Ages: Most historians agree that the first use of a diamond ring to mark an engagement occurred in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring with the letter M spelled out in tiny diamonds....

Read the rest at Engagement Ring Trends of the Past