Diamond Rings
Diamond rings have become the most widely used
tokens of love in the world. While diamonds have been mined and used
for jewelry, as well as more mundane purposes, for thousands of
years, it has only been in the last several hundred years that the
diamond ring has risen to its prominent position as the ultimate
expression of love.
Diamond's incredible hardness has been legendary for much of
humanity's recorded history. The alluring combination of stunning
beauty, eternal longevity, and unmatched toughness keeps diamonds at
the top of the list of precious gems. Looking back through history,
it was perhaps inevitable that the diamond would be combined with the
shape of a ring to produce the quintessential
representation of the enduring qualities of one person's love for
another.
|
|
It was not always so. Diamonds were placed in settings on rings long
before the first recorded use of a diamond ring for matrimonial
purposes in the 15th century A.D. Before then, diamonds were more or
less the sole domain of monarchs and emperors. Rulers used the
precious gems in many ways, from decorative jewelry to embellishments
in their personal battle armor. It was widely believed - from ancient
times to the days of Medieval Europe - that diamonds held magical
powers. Those lucky enough to have the gems in their possession were
thought to be favored by the gods.
From this storied and mythical history, diamonds have traveled to the
present day in much the same glory. In many cultures, the gems
continue to be held in high esteem, both emotionally and monetarily.
Rings forged from precious metals with diamond settings, in
particular, are extremely popular for engagements, weddings,
anniversaries, and increasingly, expressions of devoted platonic
friendship.
|
 |
 |
|
Maximilian I |
Mary Burgundy |
|
Engagement Rings
The use of diamonds set in circular bands of precious metal (silver,
gold, platinum) is not a recent phenomenon. Rulers had rings of this
kind in antiquity. However, it was not until the middle 1400s (A.D.)
that the first recorded royal occurrence of a diamond ring used
specifically to seal an oath of betrothal can be found. Emperor
Maximilian I of the Hapsburg Dynasty in Eastern Europe gave his
intended wife, Mary, Duchess of Burgundy, a diamond betrothal ring.
It had been, even by then, a long-standing tradition in Christendom
for a man to present a ring to the woman of his desire as a visual
symbol of his intention to marry her. However, the addition of a
precious gem of any kind, especially something as rare and valuable
as diamond, was an innovation. Clearly, it was a trend that was
destined to stand the test of time!
Wedding Rings
|
|
|
Ancient Egyptian Ring |
The use of simple bands worn on the finger as a symbol of love goes
back almost as far as the earliest recorded times. Ancient Egyptians
believed that the fourth finger of the left hand included a vein that
led straight to the heart (called 'vena amoris' - love vein). This is
the origin of wearing wedding rings on that finger. Those earliest
wedding rings were often made of twisted vegetable matter (reeds,
shoots, etc.) and contained no adornments, such as diamonds or other
gemstones.
Roman society continued this practice, but with considerably less
romantic overtones. Males used iron rings to show legal ownership of
their wives. Not exactly a practice to make the ladies swoon, but
"when in Rome."
An interesting variation on the traditional wedding ring is recorded
in ancient Asia and areas of the Middle East. These were known as
'puzzle rings,' and consisted of an elaborate construction that was
very difficult to remove without having the entire ring fall apart.
They generally did not include anything highly valuable, such as
diamonds. Husbands who went away for extended periods would use these
rings as a sort of chastity belt for the hand. Presumably, their
wives would not be tempted to cheat if they could not remove the very
visible symbol of their married status. Again, not a very romantic
use of wedding rings, but it's important to remember that women were
often considered property in those days.
Eventually, the addition of a solitary diamond (or several) to both
engagement and some wedding rings became a widespread practice,
particularly among Christian peoples. The inclusion of such an
enduring, rare, and beautiful gem was, of course, symbolic of the
best qualities of romantic love. This is undoubtedly why the practice
continues to this day.
