History of the engagement ring

The tradition of the engagement ring has a long and fascinating history dating back to ancient times.

Even in ancient Egypt, couples wore rings as a sign of their bond and eternity. The circle, without beginning or end, symbolised the infinity of their love. The ancient Romans adopted this tradition and wore engagement rings as a sign of their marital promise. The ring, usually made of iron, symbolised the eternal connection between the couple and was worn on the ring finger of the left hand, as it was believed that a vein, the "Vena Amoris", led directly from there to the heart.

In the Middle Ages, the engagement ring was increasingly made of precious metals such as gold and silver, and its symbolic significance grew. During this time, the first engagement rings with precious stones were created, with diamonds symbolising purity and eternity.

The most famous historical engagement ring dates back to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave his bride Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring. This is considered the beginning of the tradition of using diamonds in engagement rings.
With industrialisation in the 19th century, the engagement ring became more accessible to broader sections of the population. The discovery of large diamond deposits in South Africa also led to increased marketing of diamond rings as "the" engagement ring, particularly through the famous "Diamonds are Forever" advertising campaign in the 20th century.