The Reason Why You Propose With Engagement Rings.

The history that is behind this tradition was not so romantic, dates back to ancient times.

“Congratulations! You have found the ONE, the person who will be your partner for the rest of your life and you are ready with lot of questions regarding your future. What are you going to do next? Buy a ring of course. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?

Well, Yes, but why Rings only?
It’s a tradition dating back to the ancient Egyptians, who believed circles were symbols of eternity. Wedded couples exchanged rigs made out of braided reeds. These were worn on left hand finger, which apparently had a vein that ran directly to the heart, later named Vena Amoris (vein of love).

Before 2nd century B.C., the ancient Romans believed to have started the tradition of betrothal rings (engagement rings) instead of giving money or a valuable object to the bride. But its symbolism wasn’t so much about love as it was ownership. "The groom first gave the bride a gold ring to wear during the engagement ceremony and at special events, then an iron ring to wear at home, signifying her binding legal agreement to his ownership of her".

Now more than 80 percent of American brides get diamond engagement rings.

One of the first recorded uses of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477. Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a ring which had flat pieces of diamonds in the shape of “M”. This influenced European nobility, who added more precious gems to their jewelry. The middle ages saw the rise of ring bands engraved with romantic poems and sayings.

Everything changed when diamonds were discovered in South Africa. In 1880 mining company was founded by which they controlled 90 percent of the world’s diamond production- and turned diamond engagement rings into nothing more than an ad campaign. Once the Great depression ended, the company launched its famous slogan “A diamond is forever” slogan and encouraged men to spend salary on the rock. By the early 1940s, engagement rings become the leading line of jewelry in most department stores.

“Sure diamond is pricey but it’s a whole lot more romantic than the earliest mating rituals”.