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Diamonds
Engagement traditions in the western world have included the sparkling
gems for centuries. The history of the diamond engagement ring as
we know it goes back to the 1400’s in medieval Italy and
is marked by alterations in meaning and style in various regions
and at different times. Gents in Europe in the 18th century, for
example, would often present gold jewelry beset with diamonds and
other stones to their beloved. It was common at the time to choose
stones that spelled the name of the giver or another significant
word with their first letters. In earlier times, when a prospective
husband was expected to provide a dowry, a diamonds engagement
ring was considered a partial payment for the bride.
Diamond Jewelers Play a Part
By the late 19th century, jewelers began to see the potential in
wedding and engagement ring traditions. If you’ve ever wondered where
the “two months’ salary” guideline came from, look
no further than the corner jewelry store or at least to DeBeers, the
controller of over eighty percent of the world’s diamond market.
It is a marketing ploy by the diamond industry that has worked for
over a hundred years, but that tradition is also changing.
Mesonite, Moissanite, and Modern Engagement Traditions
Engagement traditions today have changed considerably. While the
longstanding wedding and engagement traditions of diamond engagement
rings, engagement parties, gold bands, rehearsal dinners and what
not are still in place, they have been afforded considerable room
for change. Mesonite or moissanite, a relatively new and popular
material used in making substitute diamonds, is an acceptable choice
for engagement rings. Pieces of gold jewelry with stones other than
diamonds are also common in today’s engagement
rings.
Engagement in the Future
Tradition will always play a part in the wedding and engagement process,
but changes in those traditions over the years have taught us that
they are anything but set in stone. Things change constantly and these
engagement traditions are no exception. It is safe to assume, however,
that gold jewelry and diamonds will always be a part of the process.
The two thoughts will always go hand in hand:
Diamonds and Engagement.
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