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ENGAGEMENT RINGS : (this article is not well-written, but the research seems solidenough)Many couples are interested in the tradition of the engagement ring.In many cultures, it has become the ultimate symbol of love, devotionand commitment. It's extremely common to have a diamond engagementring, and for some this stone is the only one that they will accept.Yet, the tradition of a diamond engagement ring isn't very old andthroughout much of history, diamonds didn't even enter the picture...Though the idea may be distasteful, slavery is not an uncommon theory[as to why we use rings]. In fact, another theory is that the ring waslike a miniature "slave band", which denoted that the woman was theman's property. This was done, but it isn't likely that this startedengagement rings in the Roman culture as it came about later. Slaveswere forbidden to wear rings throughout the Roman Republic (449-31BC), but in later years iron rings denoted their status. Silver wasworn by freed slaves. The wearing of gold rings was restricted inearly years, but eventually they could be worn by all who were free.It wasn't until Emperor Justinian that the restrictions on who couldwear rings were lifted.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS : Another theory talks of the dowry and/or bride price. Once upon atime, marriages were arranged...for a price. This much is a fact,there are documents (marriage/sale agreements or contracts) that speakof this exact practice. A number of them list the exact terms of theagreement and include the livestock, fabrics and other items that weretraded for the bride. You can occasionally find some of these on Ebayif you are truly interested. It's thought that a ring may have beengiven as part of a bride price or dowry. Some of the documentsmentioned above do include jewelry, rings and/or gold. Yet adetermination of validity can't be based on this alone, especiallywhen you consider that it is the bride that receives the ring. Whichbrings us to another theory. A ring may have been given to bride,either as a symbol of unity or perhaps as a bribe...
ENGAGEMENT RINGS : Roman rings have been found as well. Things are a bit clearer in thiscase. The earliest examples of Roman engagement rings might have beenrings with a carved key. There are two theories behind this particularstyle. The romantic version states that this key was a symbol thatallowed the bride to "unlock her husband's heart". This is romantic,but doubtful. The second theory is much more likely. A woman receiveda share of her husband's riches when they married. Most sources saythat it was 50%. Supposedly, the key allowed her access to her shareof the goods. Not as romantic, but certainly more practical andlogical...Throughout history, diamond engagement rings did enjoy popularityamong those who were wealthy and those who were royalty. Many sourcesmention that Archduke Maximillian of Hamburg and Mary of Burgandy madethe wearing of diamond engagement rings popular in 1477. It is highlydoubtful that Maximillian and Mary started the trend of diamondengagement rings, though it is possible they started the trend amongthe wealthy or those who were royalty. After all, they were ratherexpensive and could not become common if the "common-folk" could notafford them. A true trend involves more than just a small section ofthe society and this is why I find the possibility highly doubtful. Asa matter of fact, diamond engagement rings were not to become"traditional" until hundreds of years later.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS : The De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. was created in 1888 in order toprotect the investment of diamond mine investors. A new mine wasdiscovered in South Africa in 1870. Since only a small amount ofdiamonds had been found prior to this, the discovery flooded themarket and cut into the profits of investors. The De BeersConsolidated Mines, Ltd. was created in order to regain control of thesupply of diamonds. After they gained control of the supply, they thenneeded to control the demand for diamonds.This attempt began when Harry Oppenheimer (son of the De Beersfounder) visited New York in order to meet with Gerold M. Lauck.Gerold was the president of N.W. Ayer, which was a leading advertisingagency at the time. You see, diamond sales had declined since 1919 by50%, and something had to be done to increase the demand for them.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS : The year of the advertising campaign was 1939. That's right, thetradition of diamonds as THE engagement ring...as the only correctoption, started slightly over 60 years ago and was the main result ofan advertising campaign. While the diamond did enjoy periods ofpopularity in times prior to this (Victorian era for example), thiswas the factor that made the diamond engagement ring the ONLY choicethat was acceptable.SWMNBN dislikes diamonds (most diamond miners are slaves or very closeto it, and having just returned from Africa when we met, she was tunedin to that). Her ears are not pierced, either (not big on bodymodification at all). Neither of us have tattoos. We met when shewas very young, but she had some pretty strong opinions for an18-yr-old. Months later, when she agreed to marry me (through themail, no less), she specified that she had no interest in a diamond,and that she saw it as a badge of ownership. Similarly, she didn'ttake my last name (fine with me, I don't like it much, anyhow). Infact, we have long since lost our wedding rings (I have never wornmine, seeing as I dislike jewelry). I may get us new ones next year(for our tenth anniversary), and there are some places online you canget cool ones (that don't cost a fortune). I doubt, however that Iwill ever wear one much (even if I have one). I won't even wear awatch.
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