Diamond Engagement Rings
According to the western etiquette, a man presents an Engagement Ring to a woman when he proposes her for marriage and the woman’s acceptance of the ring indicates her consent. Thus it is customary for a woman, who is engaged to be married, to wear the Engagement Ring in the ring finger of her left hand. It represents their betrothal. According to an old belief, the Ring-Finger of the left hand has a vein – vena amoris, or the “vein of love” – that connects directly to the heart, making perfect for the Engagement Ring. In some cultures though, the engagement ring is worn on the right hand.
The tradition is said to have started when Maximillan I of Austria gave the first diamond engagement ring on record to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. He had the ring commissioned to unite their two houses and make their marriage a unifying symbol to the country.
Engagement Rings have evolved extensively over the years. The classic metal band now includes diamonds, gemstones, interesting shapes, chic styles, artistic designs, etc. For a woman her Engagement Ring is the most treasured piece of jewel. A woman is likely to look at her Engagement Ring more than a million times, thus it is essential that an engagement ring has the design, the warmth and the love that will make her elated every time she looks at it.
The History of Diamond Engagement Rings
In 1477, the Duke of Austria Maximillan I, presented the first diamond engagement ring on record to Mary of Burgundy. He had the ring delegated to unite their two houses and make their marriage a unifying symbol to the country.
The Dauphin of France presented the smallest Diamond ring in history to Princess Mary in the year 1518. Princess Mary was two years old at the time.
Famous Ladies And Their Engagement Rings
Celebrities influence fashion and trends. Fancy Diamond and gemstone rings adorned by the rich and famous have made fashion statements and created trends that have a long lasting impression.
Diamonds of Sentimental Value
Prince Phillip used the Diamond from his mother’s tiara and presented it in an Engagement Ring to his prospective bride - Queen Elizabeth II.
Guy Ritchie presented a vintage three-stone diamond ring to Madonna.
The 3 stones represented their family: Guy, Madonna and son Rocco.
Vanity Fair
Lady Diana was presented an 18 carat blue oval sapphire ring, encircled by 14 diamonds, by Prince Charles.
Prince Rainer presented an enormous 14 carat diamond ring to his fiancé Grace Kelly.
Elizabeth Taylor owned a breathtaking 39 carat Krupp diamond ring.
Michael Douglas presented an diamond engagement ring worth $2 million to Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Britney Spears bought the pompous $40,000 4 carat cushion-cut diamond ring for herself on her wedding.
Christina Aguilera was presented a designer engagement ring by Jordan Bratman. The ring has a majestic 20 carat diamond and is worth $54,000.
Paris Hilton received 2 diamond engagement rings from billionaire Paris Latsis, a $5 million 24 carat canary diamond ring and a $2.1 million 15 carat white diamond ring.
Engagement Rings for You and Me
The most important thing about an engagement ring is its symbolism. The ring epitomizes love and the enduring commitment of a beautiful journey of togetherness. Therefore more than the cost of the ring the feeling attached to it matters. The ring should epitomize the sentiments and the warmth that the couple shares, and it will become the most treasured piece of jewelry for a woman.
Gemstone Rings have become very popular because of their affordability as compared to diamonds, the variety of colors available and of course because of the astrological significance and beliefs about the gemstones. For example, there are many colored gemstones that have historical associations to love. Red stones represent the heart, love and passion. Red has its connotation to Ruby, but the same symbolism can be conveyed without spending a fortune with stones like red garnet, red tourmaline, or red spinel. Similarly for green (which symbolizes "loyalty” and "endurance") where emerald is the crowning glory, other less expensive choices include green garnet or green tourmaline; for blue (which symbolizes "spirituality" and "Chastity") there is sapphire and blue spinel, aquamarine iolite, and blue tourmaline.
Engagement Rings can comprise of the birthstones of the spouses. For every month in the year there is a gemstone which is the birthstone for that particular month. Birthstones are believed to bring fortune to the heart.
The latest trend is combining small diamonds with the gemstone that makes the engagement ring fashionable. Including diamonds in the engagement ring also takes care of the soft corner in the woman’s heart for this hard stone - diamond!
