Diamond Engagement Rings Throughout History
by Jonathon BlockerThe scenario is played out thousands of times
a day throughout the world; young men present diamond engagement
rings to the ladies they desire to marry. This tradition, which
dates back centuries in one form or another, has many variations.
Nonetheless, diamond engagement rings continue to be a symbol
of betrothal in much of the Western world.Where It Started Diamonds
themselves have been available to ordinary people only for the
past 150 years or so, although the idea of diamond engagement
rings - without the diamonds - goes back much further - almost
800 years, in fact.
It was in 1215 that Pope Innocent III,
presiding over the Fourth Lateran Council, decreed that there
should be a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage.
These rings consisted of plain bands worn by both the man and
the woman, and depending on socio-economic class of the couple,
were made of gold, silver, bronze or iron. Although precious gems
would have been unavailable to peasants in any case, laws were
in place to make sure only those of "high rank" were
allowed to wear such treasures.Diamond Engagement Rings?Although
not used for betrothal, diamonds were mounted in rings as far
back as Roman times.
The earliest example of diamond engagement
rings (which were actually wedding rings) date from 1477, the
year in which Archduke Maximilian I of the House of Hapsburg married
Marie of Burgundy. However, the practice of a man presenting his
intended with a diamond engagement ring was only became common
as the result of a major sales campaign by a huge, transnational
corporation.De Beers Today, the DeBeers company controls about
half of the worldwide diamond market.
It was founded in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes,
British-South African business magnate for whom the nation of
Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) was named. It was the middle
of the 20th century when a creative ad executive created the most
memorable catch-phrase of all time: "A Diamond is Forever."
Since the 1950s, average working men have been spending about
two months' salary (the standard rule of thumb, according to the
industry) for diamond engagement rings.There was a similar marketing
attempt by the U.S. diamond
jewelry industry to create a market for similar diamond engagement
rings for men by creating a "historical precedent" (which
never existed). The effort was not successful, although the campaign
did eventually result in a market for men's diamond wedding rings
and "his and hers" sets.How Much? Click
here for the rest.
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