It was started by ancient Egyptians since they believed that a circular
ring is perfect to define an everlasting relationship between a couple. As circular
bands do not have an end or a beginning, they are perfect to symbolize a never-ending bond.
At the very beginning,
engagement rings were made using iron. Later, the supreme
gold metal took over the industry. However, engaged women used to wear an iron
ring at home and a gold ring while going out. When it comes to the history of
diamond rings, the inclusion of precious
stones in the
engagement rings began after the discovery of
diamond mines in South Africa.
The first
diamond engagement ring to be recorded in the history books is the
one that was gifted by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his ladylove, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477. It was a huge
gold ring that featured a big ‘M’ made using tiny
diamonds. Maximilian made that
ring in order to ask her hand for marriage, and the tradition of gifting
diamond rings for proposal followed.
At first, only wealthy people were able to flaunt
diamond rings. Nevertheless, things have changed later with the invention of
diamond mines in different parts of the world, and today, everyone can buy a
diamond ring.