A beautiful engagement ring from someone she loves is something a lot of women have dreamed about since they were girls. Although the ring shows a commitment to the person, the actual historical reasons for an engagement ring are a little less obvious. Some would say the never-ending, continuous circle represents the everlasting love and commitment of the couple to each other. Another view is that it was originally tangible proof of the financial commitment on the groom's part to show the bride's family that he could provide for his bride-to-be.
The Egyptians wore rings on what is considered your ring finger today: the finger next to your pinkie. They believed there was a "Vein of Love" running to this finger that ran from the finger to the heart. Therefore, placing a ring on this finger connected it directly to your heart. The Romans wore "engagement" rings made of iron, which to them meant strength and permanence since iron represented both of these things. These rings were called "annulus pronubus" and were used in much the same way that engagement rings are used today. Eventually, these rings evolved into rings made of gold and decorated with engravings or other decorations. Some even had keys carved on them, representing the woman's ability to unlock her betrothed's heart. Others had lover's knots decorating them or two hands holding each other, yet another symbol of the commitment between two people.
In 860 Pope Nicolas I made it a requirement to give a ring after a proposal to signify the engagement. He also stated that it should be a gold ring. This perhaps is where showing you can provide for your future spouse came into existence. By the end of the Middle Ages, weddings and the actual official betrothal were combined into one ceremony. As a result, the significance of the ring changed from proof of financial commitment to a symbol of the commitment between two people.
Probably one of the most spectacular engagement rings ever was given to Mary of Burgundy when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed in 1477. The ring had diamonds, which at the time carried an aura of magic and were thought to be created by the fire of love. This fashion for using diamonds in engagement rings spread to other parts of Europe. In Venice, they associated a diamond's hardness with the idea of everlasting love. It was not until the late 1800s when large quantities of diamonds were discovered in South Africa that it became realistic for people to use diamonds for their engagement rings. At this point they became a bit more affordable and much more available to the world as they were exported from South Africa.
Today, most people opt for a diamond engagement ring. However, your options are endless when it comes to designing a custom ring that is appropriate to you and your future spouse. Your choices of metals, precious and semi-precious stones and millions of combinations are limited only by your desires and imagination.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Engagement Rings