subject: Introduction to Engagement Rings [print this page] Introduction to Engagement Rings Introduction to Engagement Rings
Introduction
One of the things to symbolize love is a ring. This is why a man offers a ring to woman he loves and wants to marry. So once you are ready to propose your love to the woman you want to spend your life with, you must select the right ring to represent this. An engagement ring is worn by women who have accepted marriage proposals from their men. Basically, it indicates harmony by both parties to a marriage which can be set at any time. Although engagement rings are usually given by men to ladies, the practice of giving the same to a man by the lady herself is becoming common these days.
Origin of Engagement Ring
Before the 20th century, other types of betrothal gifts were common. Before the end of the 19th century, the bride-to-be frequently received a sewing thimble rather than an engagement ring. This practice was particularly common among holy groups that shunned jewelry. Betrothal rings were used during Roman times. The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in imperial court of Vienna in 1477, upon his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy.
Description of Engagement Rings
Different kinds of engagement rings have different kinds of characteristics which make them different from each other. The most common are diamond, gold, platinum and silver rings.
The basic parts of engagement rings are:
The band is the part of the ring that goes around the finger. Basically bands are made up of silver, gold or platinum.
The setting aims to hold stone strongly with ring. On some rings, the setting is split, while other settings are more "invisible."
