This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Jeanny Sánchez Gómez. Find them on Instagram at @jeanny_sanchez. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Whether you’ve dreamed about your perfect engagement ring since you were ten and have a Pinterest board full of inspiration or have no idea what a princess cut is, there’s something kind of magical about the whole idea of an engagement ring. It’s not just a sparkly piece of jewelry to show off — for many, engagement rings symbolize love between two people and the commitment to entering a happy, equal, and loving marriage, but who doesn’t want their ring to be the prettiest? But engagement rings didn’t always look the way they do now. The whole tradition has changed a lot over time, going from some not-so-fun beginnings to the sweetest gesture it is now. So if you’re ring-shopping, just curious, or love random history facts, here’s how long engagement rings have been around for them to go from braided reeds to lab-grown diamonds.
Now, while researching the origins of engagement rings, I saw some differing opinions on the exact origins, so I’ll still go ahead and tell you about both. The original idea of engagement rings started with the ancient Egyptians. They were into symbolism, and they thought circles meant eternity and endless love, which is really sweet and romantic when you think about it. They exchanged and wore rings made of ivory, bone, and leather on the fourth finger of the left hand because they believed there was a vein that ran straight to the heart, adding to the romantic gesture.
Then came the Romans, who also gave rings — except theirs were made out of iron to signify strength and permanence, and as a symbolic token of the man’s ownership of the woman (so glad how the times have changed). If I understood all the information I read correctly, this is about the time that the added significance of the ring being a binding item between two people came into play. Eventually, gold and more decorative styles became popular, especially among the rich.
In between this time, engagement rings disappeared during the Dark Ages- why I’m not sure- but they were revived around 1215 when Pope Innocent III, one of the most powerful popes of the Middle Ages, changed some of the rules surrounding marriage. One of which outlined that there was to be a waiting period between the betrothal and the marriage ceremony. Gold rings were given to the bride as a formal pronouncement of the intention to marry and to symbolize the groom’s financial commitment, and the gold band soon became the standard.
While the Romans did believe that diamonds were one of the most valuable things in the world and even associated them with being the tip of Cupid’s arrows, diamond engagement rings didn’t become a thing until 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring. It was a big deal for the royals and the wealthy, as diamonds were super rare at this point. For everybody else, the gold rings were the norm.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s, when diamonds were discovered in South Africa, that things started to change. Suddenly, diamonds were more available and prices were cheaper, so you would assume that this quickly turned diamonds into the standard. To control the prices, Cecil Rhodes, a British businessman living in South Africa, and a group of partners merged several major South African mines to form the De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. The group was able to effectively control the flow of diamonds into the market, creating the illusion of rarity and upping the value of the gems. The De Beers struck gold in the 1930s and 40s when they came up with the genius marketing slogan “A Diamond is Forever” that solidified diamonds as the symbol of love, especially in American culture. The classic solitaire diamond on a gold or platinum band dominated the era, and probably what many of us still think about when we picture an engagement ring. Something timeless, elegant, and very Grace Kelly vibes, and for many people, these rings are even passed down through generations, adding to the timelessness of this style.
There was a shift in the culture from the 70s-’90s, as things started to loosen up. People weren’t just sticking to the traditional solitaire anymore. You started seeing more cuts, now we have princess, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds, halo settings, and even colored gemstones — thank you, Princess Diana, and that iconic sapphire ring.
By the 2000s, customization and personalization were in. Couples started shopping for rings together, and personal taste became more important than sticking to tradition. Vintage-inspired designs also had a serious comeback.
Nowadays, it’s been taken a step further. Engagement rings are more diverse and personal than ever, and it is also nice to see the diversity in rings as it seems to reflect the wearer even more, and that’s kind of the best part, and because of that, we have a few big trends when it comes to rings.
- Lab-grown diamonds: Lab diamonds cost less to make than natural diamonds cost to mine, plus they are a renewable product, unlike natural diamonds, and are still just as sparkly and valuable due to the skill and work put into producing them.
- Non-diamond stones: My personal favorite, non-diamond stones like sapphires, emeralds, Moissanite, or even unique options like salt-and-pepper diamonds, not only add some color to your ring but are just as beautiful.
- Minimalist and gender-neutral styles: Not everyone wants a giant rock or stone on their finger, and more people are opting for bands that suit their style.
- Heirloom and vintage rings: For some, the most meaningful ring is the one passed down through your family. Even if it’s not passed down, looking for that classic look never leads to disappointment.
And of course, thanks to social media and platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, finding inspiration for unique or niche ring styles is easier than ever. Whether you want something classic, quirky, or custom, there’s no shortage of options. Engagement rings have been around for so long that it makes sense that they will only continue to evolve, so why not just fall in love with something that you will love for the rest of your life?
So, how long have engagement rings been around? Do you prefer traditional rings or more modern styles? Let us know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply