History Engagement ring

1 history

1.1 ancient times
1.2 middle ages
1.3 renaissance
1.4 reformation
1.5 enlightenment
1.6 victorian era
1.7 20th century

history
ancient times

although ancient egyptians credited having invented engagement ring, , ancient greeks having adopted tradition, history of engagement ring can reliably traced far ancient rome.

in many countries, engagement rings placed on ring finger of left hand. @ 1 time believed finger contained vein (the vena amoris) led heart. idea popularized henry swinburne in treatise of spousals, or matrimonial contracts (1686). story seems have origin in ancient roman book attic nights aulus gellius quoting apion s aegyptiacorum, alleged vein nervus (a word can translated either nerve or sinew ).

the popular belief engagement ring part of bride price represented purchase , ownership of bride, has been called question contemporary scholarship.

in second century bc, roman bride-to-be given 2 rings, gold 1 wore in public, , 1 made of iron wore @ home while attending household duties. @ 1 time roman citizens wore rings made of iron. in later years senators served ambassadors given gold seal rings official use when abroad. later privilege of wearing gold rings extended other public officials, knights, later freeborn, , under justinian, freedmen. several centuries custom romans wear iron rings @ home, gold rings in public. during period girl or woman might receive 2 engagement rings, 1 of iron , 1 of gold.

middle ages

the mid-7th century visigothic code required when ceremony of betrothal has been performed, ..., , ring shall have been given or accepted pledge, although nothing may have been committed writing, promise shall, under no circumstances, broken.

in 860 ad, pope nicholas wrote letter boris of bulgaria in reply questions regarding differences between roman catholic , eastern orthodox practices. pope nicholas describes how in western church man gives betrothed engagement ring. @ fourth council of lateran in 1215, convoked pope innocent iii, banns of marriage instituted, prohibiting clandestine marriages , requiring marriages made public in advance. legal scholars have seen in parallel engagement-ring tradition described pope nicholas i.

renaissance

the first well-documented use of diamond ring signify engagement archduke maximilian of austria in imperial court of vienna in 1477, upon betrothal mary of burgundy. influenced of higher social class , of significant wealth give diamond rings loved ones.

reformation

during protestant reformation wedding ring replaced betrothal ring primary ring associated marriage. in catholic countries transition took place later.

there modern belief in colonial new england, puritans shunned ornaments , jewels, thimble substituted both engagement ring , wedding ring; , women remove tops of thimble in order create ring. researchers believe myth without basis in reality.

enlightenment

during age of enlightenment both gimmal rings , posie rings popular, although latter more used expression of sentiment indicate formal engagement.

victorian era

in south africa, diamonds first found in 1866, although not identified such until 1867. 1872, output of diamond mines exceeded 1 million carats per year. production increased, of lesser means able join in on movement. however, diamond engagement rings long time seen domain of nobility , aristocracy, , tradition favoured simpler engagement bands.

20th century

in united states, popularity of diamond engagement rings declined after world war i, more after onset of great depression.

in 1938, diamond cartel de beers began marketing campaign have major impact on engagement rings. during great depression of 1930s, price of diamonds collapsed. @ same time, market research indicated engagement rings going out of style younger generation. while first phase of marketing campaign consisted of market research, advertising phase began in 1939. 1 of first elements of campaign educate public 4 cs (cut, carats, color, , clarity). in 1947 slogan diamond forever introduced. ultimately, de beers campaign sought persuade consumer engagement ring indispensable, , diamond acceptable stone engagement ring.