If you've got an engagement ring on your finger, chances are it's encrusted with a diamond that glistens charmingly in the light. But these gems weren't always a symbol of love and commitment. Their first mission was to protect against the ""evil eye"", they were used as talismans to ward off ""evil spirits"", later - to cure diseases. Let's take a look at the brief history of the diamond ring and find out when it became the main symbol of engagement and marriage.
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT RINGS IN HISTORY
The tradition of engagement rings dates back to ancient Egypt. It was believed that the ring finger of the left hand is connected to the heart by a common vein, so a ring made of reeds and hemp wicks was worn as a symbol of fidelity when getting married. The circular ring symbolized the circle of eternal life, having neither beginning nor end, but only a common future
After this custom spread around the world, various countries created their own traditions of wearing and designing the engagement ring.
In England, a married couple would break a piece of gold or silver and exchange halves, confirming their decision to live together with a sip of wine. In the United States, women were given thimbles as courtship gifts, and when married, the top of the thimble was cut off to be worn as a ring.
HOW THE DIAMOND RING BECAME THE MAIN JEWELRY FOR THE ENGAGED
It is believed that the first engagement ring with a diamond in history was a luxurious ring given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his beloved Mary of Burgundy in 1477. The ring is encrusted with small diamonds arranged in an ""M"" shape, creating a beautiful tradition in the West to give a beautiful ring with a brilliantly sparkling diamond as a gift during courtship. Diamond is the hardest and most durable material found naturally on earth, making it a perfect choice to symbolize loyalty and lasting love.
In 1870, when a particularly large amount of these precious stones were found in a diamond mine in Africa, they became more accessible to the public, not only to the nobles. In 1886, the technologists of the well-known jewelry manufacturer Tiffany & Co. created an exclusive diamond attachment with four or six ring prongs. This design of the ring allows the light source to easily enter the gem and reveal its amazing brilliance and mesmerizing beauty. It is the transparency of the diamond and the ability to ""refract light"", which depends on the cut of the diamond, and determines the main part of the price of the gem.
In Lithuania, the Lithuanian Chamber of Assays describes the purity of diamonds according to the following criteria, which are evaluated after magnifying the gem 10 times:
LC (English Loupe clean) - a completely transparent diamond.
VVS1/VVS2 (English Very very slight included) – cracks, inclusions, air bubbles are visible with a 10x magnifying glass and only to an experienced gemologist.
VS1/VS2 (Very slight included) - very small inclusions are difficult to detect at 10x magnification.
SI1/SI2 (English Slight included) – small inclusions visible at 10x magnification, weakly visible to the naked eye.
P1/P2/P3 or I1/I2/I3 (English Pique, included):
P1 (I1) - inclusions are clearly visible at a magnification of 10 times, are not clearly visible to the naked eye, but do not reduce the brilliance of the diamond.
P2 (I2) - large inclusions or a large number of small inclusions that reduce the brilliance of the diamond. Clearly visible to the eye.
P3 (I3) - large inclusions or a large number of small inclusions clearly visible to the eye. It greatly reduces the brilliance of the diamond.
Impurities in a gemstone can vary in their location, size, color, and number. Impurities closer to the rundist are more difficult to notice, and those in the center and black are more visible.
Customers often have a question about which diamond clarity is recommended to choose. The most ideal option is diamonds, the flaws of which are invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, we never recommend choosing P2 (I2) and P3 (I3) category diamonds whose defects are visible to the naked eye.
MODERN ENGAGEMENT RINGS WITH DIAMONDS
Today, diamond engagement rings have become a phenomenon and have become popular in all cultures. The symbolic meaning of the engagement ring has also changed. If earlier it symbolized dependence, now it is a symbol of mutual commitment and eternal love. Engagement ring designs have also changed, now you can choose the desired metal, ring and gemstone shape, cut and color.
As the ""Golden Dream"" jewelers note, a precious stone can also tell a lot about the personality itself, its character. For example, a bride-to-be who appreciates the classic style more may prefer a traditional white, round-shaped diamond, while a more daring one is likely to want to stand out, so you certainly won't be fooled by giving her an engagement ring with a pear- or heart-shaped, pink, yellow or even black diamond.
And if it's difficult to choose, you still don't know which engagement ring would most eloquently describe your feelings and best reflect the character of your loved one - we'll be happy to help you. We have a long experience of 25 years. We can make the desired jewelry for you individually or we will help you choose from the assortment in the store.
