Engagement rings have been donned by fingers for ages as radiant symbols of commitment. There is a story far richer than first glance that lies beneath this apparent attraction of diamonds and weight of custom. Let’s dive deeper into the engaging history and evolution of this timeless tradition.

Ancient Tokens through Modern Love Stories

The history of engagement rings is very long, dating back thousands of years. Theory has it that the Egyptians used to haggle with braids of rushes, while the Romans had iron rings to symbolize a legally bound contract. The evolution of a precious stone as an engagement or marriage symbol occurred much later. It was only in the 15th century that diamonds became famous.

Diamonds: A De Beers Dynasty

While diamonds are, by and large, associated with engagement rings today, their relationship to love is nothing more than a clever marketing ploy. The De Beers Group was a diamond mining giant that later in the late 19th century began a calculated advertising campaign where it positioned diamonds as the ultimate symbol of everlasting love. The success of this campaign cemented the diamond engagement ring into cultural generally accepted fact.

Beyond the Diamond Veil

Fortunately, love stories come in many shapes and sizes, and so do engagement rings. Today’s couples are following individuality and choosing stones that say something about them. Sapphires, emeralds, and now even the opal take their place on fingers beside ethically-sourced diamonds and lab-grown stones.

The Future of Forever

The tradition of the engagement ring is constantly evolving. Nowadays, couples are more and more likely to choose a ring together, breaking the stereotype that a man electronically gives a surprise proposal. Also, some couples have come to the trend that other symbols—promise rings or tattoos—can symbolize the change toward a more personalized expression of love.

Engagement Rings: A Symbol, Not a Dictator

A very powerful point arises with the engagement ring in our cultural narrative. More than this, though, is the remembering: it’s just a symbol—and what a beautiful symbol it is—of something greater, which actually is the real engagement. It’s not the sparkle on the finger; it’s the love story it speaks of.

From the classic diamond solitaire to a design made especially for your favorite stone, let your custom engagement ring be as original as the love story you’re about to begin.