A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ENGAGEMENT RING

An engagement is a special milestone in a couple’s life, a moment that marks the beginning of a shared journey toward a future together. To symbolise this commitment, an engagement ring is often presented — a timeless gesture that has become synonymous with love, devotion, and promise. This ritual is seen again and again in films, TV shows, and advertising, reinforcing its significance in modern culture. But the tradition of giving an engagement ring didn’t appear overnight. It has deep historical roots that span centuries. So, when did the practice of giving engagement rings begin, and what is the fascinating history behind this iconic symbol of love?

Bending the knee was once upon a time a symbol of your loyalty to your local Lord, an opportunity to offer your obedience and sword. Fast forward a century or three, the swords have all been put away and the only knee bending is with a dazzling diamond ring for your darling’s hand in marriage. But the history of the engagement ring didn’t begin with a diamond and certainly didn’t happen overnight…

Now historical rumour puts rings made of reed on the hands of the Egyptians and subsequently the Greeks, but actual physical evidence doesn’t arrive until the rise of the Roman empire.  Some scholars (they often disagree) believe the presentation of the ring may have been a bride price, with new brides given two rings; one gold for public and one iron for home, the latter being an indication of ownership, the cheek of it.

With the Middle Ages in full swing marriage as we know it (kind of) started to take shape, as given rings became an emblem of the unbreakable promise of marriage. But it wasn’t until the Renaissance when rings started to dazzle and we have the Archduke Maximilian of Austria to thank. The dear Duke started the trend for a bit of sparkle by presenting a ‘M’ shaped diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. So began a battle, as aristocrats of the age began popping the question with increasingly more spectacular rings to adorn the hands of the ladies of Europe.

But it was those dandy Victorians who truly set the precedent for engagement rings and it wouldn’t have happened without the discovery of diamonds in South Africa and the De Beers Mining Company. Within ten years of discovery, De Beers had created a monopoly on sparklers and at one point controlled well over three quarters of the worlds rough diamond disruption. This of course made diamonds accessible and the must have for every royal, writer and railway tycoon from Doncaster to Darjeeling.

The early 20^th century saw a technological revolution allowing the Edwardian’s to create ever more impressive designs, following suite the Art Deco period pushed jewellery even further again with beautifully intricate rings of white gold and platinum. However, trouble was on the horizon with two subsequent world wars pushing the world into darkness. But out of the smoke came the new world, where advertising would make or break. It was here where the engagement ring would become the societal keystone it is today with a simple but unforgettable slogan; ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and the rest is (modern) history.

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