Diamond Engagement Rings: Their Historical Significance

Every girl dreams of the day a handsome, young man will place an engagement ring on her finger, but not every girl understands why it happens. The history of engagement rings dates all the way back to 1477, when the first engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria.

For over 500 years men have been buying the women they love engagement rings without truly understanding their significance. Dating back thousands of years, diamonds were believed to hold magical powers. These magical powers were attributed to Kings, Queens and their royal subjects. At that time, diamonds were also thought to represent:

• Wealth
• Power
• Love
• Spirituality
• Magic

The Greeks believed that diamonds were the teardrops of the Gods and the fire that could be seen reflected in these precious stones was the constant flame of love. For the Romans, diamonds were considered to be fallen fragments of stars.

With those positive images, diamonds and diamond engagement rings began to grow in popularity as symbols of love.

Why do women wear engagement rings on their left hand?

Before diamonds were placed in engagement rings, they were placed in a simple band of braided copper. Traditionally, these diamond engagement rings would be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. Why choose that specific finger? It was believed by the Egyptians that the fourth finger on the left hand housed the vena amoris (vein of love), which ran from that finger all the way into the heart.

Now a symbol of devotion, fidelity and eternity, diamond engagement rings have continued to be a time-honored tradition for couples in love. In fact, engagement rings continue to grow in popularity every year, with over 75% of brides receiving a diamond when their significant other proposes.

It’s no wonder diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

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