subject: The Tradition Of The Diamond Engagement Ring [print this page] Many little girls grow up daydreaming of the moment that their knight in shining armor kneels down on one knee and proposes. It's a romantic gesture that is topped off with the perfect accessory, the engagement ring. A lot of young girls dream of that perfect diamond on top of their ring finger, gleaming and bright. The engagement ring has a very old and interesting history that started thousands of years back. The traditional diamond engagement ring that we are conscious of today is really a fairly recent custom.
In many traditions in the Western world, an engagement ring is worn by a woman on the third (ring) finger of her left hand, signifying that she is engaged to be married. The ring is usually offered by a man upon a proposal of marriage, and worn by the woman right after she accepts his proposal. It signifies the agreement to marry, and is usually worn along with the wedding band (on the same finger) for the period of the woman's life or the marriage, whichever ends first.
The tradition of the engagement ring can be traced back as far as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Ancient Romans held the belief that the Vena Amoris (Latin for "vein of love") was located in the ring finger of the left hand. It was believed that this vein ran straight from the finger to the heart. The circle of the engagement ring was also thought to signify the eternal bond of love, a romantic notion that's still mostly believed even these days.
The design and material of the engagement ring has changed a lot over time. While in ancient times, an engagement band was fashioned out of hemp, rope, or even lead (in Ancient Rome) and usually did not contain gemstones, these days we traditionally notice engagement rings fashioned out of precious metals for example platinum or gold, holding a single set stone, which is most generally a diamond.
The diamond engagement ring appears to be the most common and accepted piece of its type due to its permanence, beauty, and expense. It's a reflection of the love felt between 2 people. That's most likely why it is thought that a man plunk down a lot of money for an engagement ring. The cost of the ring is ultimately up to the individual, and how much he desires (or can afford) to spend. A few guidelines assert that 2-3 months salary should be shelled out for the ring. That amount of money can purchase a good diamond engagement ring!
The diamond engagement ring (or an engagement ring that contains other precious gems) is a representation of a promise of eternal love and devotion. The possibilities in rings are never-ending, and should be chosen with care to reflect the woman's taste, style, and personality. After all, she will be wearing the ring for a very long time to come.
