Have you ever thought of how the tradition of the engagement ring ever started?
One of the first recorded uses of a diamond engagement ring was Archduke Maximilian of Austria’s proposal to Mary of Burgundy, heiress to a vast empire in 1467, with a ring set with thin, flat pieces of diamonds in the shape of an “M.” Mary, among the many suitors for her hand, selected Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who became her co-ruler. The marriage took place at Ghent on the evening of 16 August 1477.

But we can trace this mark-your-territory wedding trend way, way back, eons before Max and his fair Lady M. Our love affair with the rock has slowly evolved starting the age of cavemen! When they tied cords made of braided grass around his chosen mate’s wrists, ankles, and waist, to bring her spirit under his control.
Egyptians, in 2800 BC are buried wearing rings made of a single gold wire on the third finger of their left hands, believed to be connected directly to the heart by the vena amoris. During 1st Century BC, puzzle rings first appear in Asia used by sultans and sheiks for their wives. In the year 1217, the bishop of Salisbury puts an end to the popular practice of seducing girls into mock marriage with rings made of rushes. His solution? Declaring a marriage with a rush-ring legally binding!!
♦ Danelian Diamond Club engagement ring, an 18K white gold with white round brilliant diamonds and an emerald cut centre piece.
During the 1800s the highly sentimental Victorians use gemstones to spell out names or endearments, such as a D-E-A-R-E-S-T ring set with a sequence of diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald and other precious stones. Until 1867, where diamonds are discovered in the Cape Colony, South Africa followed by the arrival of Cecil Rhodes in 1873 who founded the DeBeers Mining Company.

♦ Danelian Diamond Club engagement ring, an 18K white gold
with white round brilliant diamonds and an central round piece.