Engagement Rings from here to Eternity

The oldest recorded exchange of engagementWhen further sources of diamonds were
rings dates back nearly 5000 years ago to ancientdiscovered in the nineteenth century, it increased
Egypt when a never ending band was linked withthe availability and they became more fashionable,
eternal love. Later for the Romans, a young ladiesparticularly set in engagement rings.
acceptance of a ring was a legal agreement andStyles of engagement rings have varied greatly
meant that the girl was no longer available. Theseover the years but still some designs have
ancient engagement and wedding rings were notremained popular throughout. The single diamond
gold engagement rings but were often madesolitaire is a strong favourite and nobody can
from simple and crude bands of iron.resist that big sparkler. The three stone styles
Even in these modern times, the goldhave also remained popular and many still believe
engagement ring is still regarded as a potentthat this signifies ‘I Love
symbol of unity and marriage, which sends out aYou’.
message about a persons marital status.Although some ladies have chosen other precious
Traditions have changed over the centuries andgemstones for their engagement rings such as
not only have the materials which the rings arerubies, emeralds, opals and many more, the
made out of changed, but men too are nowdiamond still is the favourite and as the song says
choosing to wear a ring as a symbol of lasting‘Diamonds Are A Girls
love, fidelity and commitment.Best Friend’.
These early tokens which indicated the sealing ofPlatinum has also become a popular although a
a marriage contract, were certainly very differentvery expensive alternative to gold and silver.
from what we now accept today as anRecently there has been a surge in interest in
engagement ring and probablyengagement rings made from titanium and
wouldn’t have turnedzirconium because not only are these metals
too many heads or invoked the green eyedattractive, lightweight and very hard wearing but
monster because of their beauty and brilliance. Inthey are also hypoallergenic. These metals lend
early Roman times rings were simple hoops madethemselves well to more modern styles and the
out of iron and itmetals can be heat treated to produce wonderful
wasn’t until much latercolour effects which make many rings totally
times that this metal was replaced with preciousunique pieces as no two will ever look the same.
metals such as gold and silver which do not rustBecause of their hardness, Titanium and Zirconium
and are more attractive.are also used to produce stunning tension set
Although diamonds were discovered in India atdiamond engagement rings, an effect which would
the beginning of the ninth century, itbe much more difficult to achieve with precious
wasn’t until 1500metals which are much softer and more prone to
onwards that brides to be would be wearingwear over the years increasing the likelihood of
something a little bit more special and even then,the precious stone working loose from the .
diamonds would be very much for the wealthyMost people wear their engagement ring on the
and for royalty.third finger of the left hand although there are a
Since their discovery, diamonds have always beenfew European countries where the engagement
prized for their beauty and brilliance as well asring is worn on the right hand. The reason for
their extreme hardness and the word diamondwearing on the third finger of the left hand is
originated from the Greek word adamas, whichthought to date back to ancient Rome and Egypt
means unconquerable. Some even believedwhen it was believed that a vein that ran through
diamonds to possess magical powers and alongthat finger ran straight to the heart. Many women
with their other properties, this has madealso wear their gold wedding ring with a diamond
diamonds perfect as a representation of theengagement ring and an eternity ring.
marriage bond.