Engagement rings are a traditional gift bestowed upon a woman when an offer of marriage is proposed. It can be presented to the intended bride during the proposal ceremony, or after the proposal has been offered and accepted. In some cultures, both the man and the woman wear a ring, whereas in North America and parts of Europe, it is typically only the woman who receives and wears the gift.
The Romans are credited with invoking the tradition of a betrothal band, which was known as a truth ring. The ancient Egyptians had a belief that the vein of love, vena amoris, travelled directly from the heart straight to the end of the third finger of the left hand. Therefore, this finger became the choice location to showcase the symbol of love and betrothal. This tradition continues today in many countries.
However, this is not the standard in all cultures. In Ukraine, the betrothal band is worn on the right hand, while in Germany, the symbol is worn on the left hand during the engagement period. The ring is then switched to the right hand upon marriage.
During the middle ages, a man would offer a woman a Gimmel ring, also known as a bond ring, when proposing marriage. It was during this time that the bands became more decorative. Individuals who could afford to do so added fashionable coloured gems such as sapphires or possibly rubies.
At one time, only the highest earning income class could afford to add diamonds to engagement rings. Others with lessor earnings offered a band which featured two clasped hands in lieu of precious stones. This was called a faith ring. The faith ring is the predecessor to the current pre-engagement rings, also known as promise rings. A promise ring is given as a token of commitment until an official proposal takes place.
In the late 1800's, offering a ring to signify upcoming nuptials became an expected practice. The circle is a symbol of fidelity and represents eternity, since it has no beginning and no end. In 1870, De Beers Consolidated Mines gained control of the diamond market when an abundant supply of the stones was uncovered in the Kimberly diamond region of South Africa. Using the unbreakable gem to decorate the betrothal band as a sign of eternal love was a marketing strategy to promote the retail sale of the stones.
By the 1930's, a diamond ring was the accepted standard to offer as a gift for a marriage proposal. Once again, clever marketing campaigns from diamond sellers instilled the belief that a man should spend at least three months salary on the engagement ring. While diamonds continue to be the popular choice, in the modern era, the stone is often an accent to a birthstone or other precious gem.
The tradition of offering engagement rings when proposing marriage is a continuing symbol of commitment and intended marriage. It remains a popular gift to bestow upon a future mate. It is considered a promise to wed and a token of endless love, loyalty and fidelity.
