Tuesday, March 31, 2009

History of Engagement Rings


With all of the recent engagement parties and weddings I have been attending lately, it never really struck me until now. Why does the guy go out and pick out a ring that the girl is suppose to wear for the rest of her life and doesn't consult her first? This is a very odd request if you think about it. Would a guy where the same shoes or shirt a girl picked out for him for the rest of his life? What if he didn't like it? What if she didn't like the ring? She is suppose to wear a ring she doesn't really LOVE for the rest of her life. That's a big request. So I went in search of some answers....

The earliest form of the engagement ring came from the Egyptians with the Romans following suit by "claiming' their woman with a ring. The Arabic culture gave puzzle rings that were so difficult to put together, the men would know if the women took them off while they were away, as the rings would fall apart. Americans gave thimbles during colonial times, where the tops were removed to make rings and the addition of diamonds came around the 14th or 15th century when royalty started adding gemstones to the beautiful bands.

It wasn't til the 1920's and 30's that the DeBeers company started advertising that a man should spend 2 mths salary on a diamond ring. This later caused problems for the company when people started holding onto heirloom pieces and passing rings on instead of purchasing new ones.

Whatever the ring, after reading about engagement rings and learning the 'true' meaning behind the ring, I think if someone is blessed enough to find the right person to spend 'forever' with, they are lucky enough, and a certain style shouldn't matter. Star Sosa, owner of Spectrum Art & Jewelry, is an expert jewelry designer that can make any of your ideas come true! Stop in today to get your one-of-a kind engagement ring created for your special one and only!