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The History of Diamond Engagement Rings
Have you ever wondered where the tradition of giving diamond engagement rings comes from? The symbol of an engagement ‘cord’ stems from prehistoric days, when a caveman would tie his chosen mate’s arms and legs together made from cords, grass or leather. Only once he was certain the female would not escape would he untie her, leaving a tiny piece of cord around her finger.
Diamonds were first mined around 6,000 years ago, mostly in India. They were commonly worn by kings, and the tradition of giving diamond engagement rings as a betrothal began in 1477 stemming from a Roman tradition of the giving of ‘truth’ rings worn on the third finger of the left hand.
Apart from the fact that most women wouldn’t accept a ring made from plant material, diamonds have a symbolic meaning which lends itself perfectly to the western notion of love and romance.
Diamond is the toughest and most durable natural material known to mankind. The word itself comes from the Greek adámas, meaning unalterable and untamed. Even the finger it is worn on is symbolic – the Ancient Egyptians believed that the ring finger of the left hand – vena amoris – (the vein of love) ran directly to the heart.
Therefore it is the diamond that takes place at the centre of our romantic history – and this includes all diamonds, from loose cut diamonds to diamond earrings. The role of diamonds in the history of civilisation is due to it’s qualities as a natural mineral and its symbolism, which make diamond engagement rings the ultimate in romantic gestures.
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