Diamond Engagement Rings: A History

Ever wondered how the diamond engagement ring became the superstar of the jewelry world? The Jewelry Insider offers a brief history for your reading pleasure.

'Tis the season to pop that fateful question fellas...

Diamond Engagement Rings: A History

Because of their beauty, strength and durability, diamonds for centuries have symbolized the eternal love of two people that have pledged to join together in marriage.

The actual tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring as a promise of marriage is thought to have started in 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. This practice became a trend among royalty and the wealthy, and the rest of the world's upper classes began to embrace it over the next few centuries.

But giving a diamond engagement ring as a symbol of betrothal really started to become an established, widespread tradition once the gems became more accessible and affordable to the public. And that all started in 1870 with the discovery of diamond mines in South Africa. These new sources flooded the market and led to the creation of the De Beers conglomerate to control the worldwide diamond supply. During these early decades of the De Beers dynasty, diamond sales flourished in Europe, the United States and other key world markets.

By the late 1930s, however, the United States and much of Europe was in the wake of the Depression, and Europe was bracing for the start of World War II - and demand for diamonds had plummeted to an all-time low. Thus, De Beers diamond mogul Sir Ernest Oppenheimer sent his son Harry to New York to meet with the N.W Ayer advertising agency. The plan was to transform America's taste for small, low-quality stones into a true luxury market that would absorb the excess production of higher-quality gems no longer selling in Europe. The result of Ayer and young Oppenheimer's efforts was a campaign - led by the enduring "A Diamond is Forever" slogan - that helped turn the United States into the premier market for the world's supply of gem-quality diamonds. The successful campaign also cemented the diamond's status as the engagement ring stone of choice in America.

Here are some other interest historical facts related to the engagement ring:

• The tradition of placing both the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand stems from a Greek belief that a certain vein in that finger, the vena amoris, runs directly to the heart.
• In the Middle Ages, men often kept a betrothal ring suspended from the band of their hats, ready to give to their chosen maid.
• Posy rings, which were inscribed with love poems and messages, were popular betrothal rings from the Middle Ages until Victorian times.
• A popular engagement ring style during the Renaissance was called the "Gimmel," or twin, ring. The ring was typically made of two (or three) interlocking rings: one worn by the bride-to-be, and another by the groom-to-be (and sometimes a third worn by a witness). All three parts were reunited into one to become the wedding ring on the day of marriage. Martin Luther and Catherine Bora were wed with an inscribed gimmel ring in 1525.
• The smallest engagement ring on record was given to two-year-old Prince Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, on the event of her betrothal to the infant Dauphin of France, son of King Francis I, in 1518. Mary's tiny gold ring was set with a diamond.
• A diamond cluster ring in the shape of a long pointed oval was popular as an engagement ring during the time of Louis XVI (1754-1793), and remained fashionable for 150 years afterward.
• Hearts were popular motifs for engagement and wedding rings during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Such rings often combined rubies (signifying love) and diamonds (signifying eternity).
• Despite the diamond's growing hold on the bridal market, colored stone rings were still quite popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Often, the first letter of the stones within the setting spelled out the name of the giver or a word (for example, "dearest" would be represented by diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, epidote, sapphire and turquoise).
• Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) engagement ring was in the form of a serpent. The snake motif was believed to be a symbol of good luck.
• The Tiffany, or solitaire, setting was introduced in the late nineteenth century.
• The "princess ring," a type of English engagement ring sporting three to five large diamonds in a row across the top, was popular in the United States in the early twentieth century. The three-stone style has enjoyed a major comeback recently.
• In the early part of the twentieth century, platinum was the metal of choice for engagement rings because of its strength and durability in holding a diamond. However, platinum was declared a strategic metal during World War II, and its usage was restricted to military purposes. This led to the rise of both yellow and white gold in bridal jewelry.
• The famous "A Diamond is Forever" campaign established many of today's standards for diamond engagement rings, including the "two months' salary" guideline - which basically says that a prospective groom should plan to spend two months' salary on an engagement ring for his bride-to-be.
  
• 
  

Matt Lauer's Divorce Mocked

Merideth Vieira opened her mouth and inserted her proverbial foot this morning by inadvertently referencing co-anchor Matt Lauer’s rocky love life on the air.

Vieira and Lauer were discussing a new report about marriage that outlines the ‘right’ time in a person's life to take that walk down the aisle. Vieira mentioned that she married in her 30s, then asked Lauer when he took the plunge. Since Lauer’s first marriage to TV producer, Nancy Alspaugh, ended in divorce after seven years, and his rocky second marriage to Annette Rogue has been the source of tabloid fodder for years, Matt was obviously not eager to dwell on the subject.

But dwell on it Merideth did. While Lauer tried to move on, a red-faced Vieira wouldn’t drop the misstep and kept apologizing while the camera guys snickered in the background.

Poor Matt.

The second Mrs. Lauer served him with divorce papers in 2006 but withdrew them a month later. But that sneaky Star Magazine noticed the leggy model without her wedding ring this spring, stirring up the split rumor mill yet again.

Yet the troubled twosome is still hanging in there, so we’re guessing the wedding bling is back where it belongs.

Click here if you’re up to watching the cringe-worthy footage. In the meantime, Matt and Merideth just have to make nice and live happily ever after. I'm still dealing with my Katie Couric abandonment issues...

Is Paris Hilton Engaged?

Last week, Paris Hilton appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman to promote her new movie, Repo! The Genetic Opera. But it was the gi-normous diamond ring on her left hand that got all of the attention. The Rock of Gibralter has nothing on this bauble, people.

When an obviously smitten Dave asked the heiress about the ice, she coyly replied that it was a gift from ‘someone’. She went on to talk about her relationship with musician, Benji Madden, and gushed at their “boyfriend/girlfriend” status.

"I love him," Hilton said. "He’s a good guy."

The two appeared later in the week at the Repo premiere at Sin City’s Planet Hollywood, where she admitted to an Extra reporter that the two lovebirds might get married and have kids “someday”.

Let’s hope her "boyfriend" gives her better reviews than the film is garnering. Yikes.

Diamonds clearly suit her better than the “thespian” life.

From the Grotto to the Gridiron

Sporty “Girl Next Door” and former Hugh Hefner girlfriend, Kendra Wilkinson, announced her engagement to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, Hank Baskett, this week. And how does her famous ex feel about it? He not only gave them his blessing, he is hosting their wedding at the Playboy Mansion in June! What a guy.

"Kendra Wilkinson has met someone who she would like to spend the rest of her life with," Hefner told Us Magazine. "He popped the question last Saturday.”

The romantic pigskin player proposed in Seattle at the Space Needle, when both of their families were present. How sweet is that? Engagement ring details are still unknown, but you can bet I’ll be on the lookout.

Meanwhile, Hefner's other ex, Holly Madison (from whom he split in October), continues to heat it up with illusionist, Criss Angel. Who gives me the creeps, quite frankly.

The pair locked lips and held hands at the premiere of "Criss Angel Believe by Cirque Du Soleil" on Halloween night in Las Vegas.

And don't worry about Hefner, 82: He has already moved on with 19-year-old twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon. Again. The creeps.

"I mean, Hef will always be Hef," Wilkinson told Us. "You can never change him. Hef will keep going on. He'll keep loving women, keep loving the big boobs and blondes.”

Speaking of - Kendra, Holly and their third muskateer, Bridgette, are all on board to shoot a new season of Girls Next Door for E! The fifth season of the hit show began airing in early October.

How To Buy Her the "Right" Engagement Ring

Diamond engagement rings are quite possibly the most important jewelry purchase a guy will make in his lifetime (let's hope it's only once in his lifetime!). Hey, if Howard Stern can do it, so can they. But it's true most men don't know the first thing about buying jewelry - let alone THE jewel.

Ladies, here are some tried and true tips you can sneak under his nose to help nudge him in the right direction. And for the guys out there, this one is for you!

• Know the Four Cs - Cut, clarity, carat and color are the main factors that determine the quality of a diamond and thus, its price. It's critical to educate yourself in each of these areas before you start shopping.

• Do your homework - shop around, look at stores' Web sites, ask trusted friends and relatives where they buy their jewelry, do jewelry research on the Web. In other words, arm yourself with as much information as possible before you're ready to make the purchase.

• Know her style - pay attention when she admires someone else's engagement ring or a ring in an advertisement; ask her friends and family what she likes. Look in her jewelry box; notice the style of jewelry she already wears. Also note the kind of metal she prefers (yellow gold, white gold, platinum). Go shopping with her at the mall and browse by a few jewelry stores; you'll get to see first-hand what really catches her eye.

• Find her ring size - Just imagine - you pop the question, she happily accepts, she starts to put the ring on - and it doesn't fit. What a letdown. You want that magic moment to be perfect. So either get a ring from her jewelry box and bring it with you, or make an impression of her ring in soap or clay, or trace the inside of her ring on a piece of paper, or even put her ring on your own finger as far as it will go and mark that spot with a pen. A jeweler can get an accurate measurement through any of these strategies. And of course, you can always ask one of her best friends or relatives for her ring size - just be sure you choose someone who can keep a secret.

• Have a budget in mind, but be flexible - Diamonds are available in a range of prices, so you're certain to find one that suits your taste and budget. Once you understand the Four Cs, you'll be able to find a stone that represents the best value, based on the combination of color, cut, clarity and carat weight you desire. But don't automatically pass up the "perfect" ring just because it's more than you planned to spend. Remember that this is an investment that will last a lifetime - and it won't depreciate in value. As for how much you should actually spend, consider the commonly accepted guideline of two month's salary. However, this is only a directional tool to help you establish a budget.

Howard Gets Hitched!

Her diamond engagement ring was the only sign of wedding bells for Beth Ostrosky and her shock jock, Howard Stern since news broke of their engagement in February 2007. But last night the bling took a glorious trip down the aisle.

The 5.2 carat emerald cut diamond is estimated to be worth close to $300,000 and was designed especially for Ms. Ostrosky by Richie Winnick.

Guests Kelly Ripa (whose hubby, Mark Consuelos, officiated the ceremony), Joan Rivers, Billy Joel, Sarah Silverman and Barbara Walters all showed their support for radio's royalty at a lavish ceremony in one of New York’s tony-est restaurants, Le Cirque. An ecclectic guest list to say the least.

Songwriter Phoebe Snow serenaded the newlyweds with "You Send Me," and Joel crooned "The Stranger."


No stranger to controversy, Stern once said on the air that marriage to the model could spoil a good thing.

"It's a nice feeling that we get along great," he said in 2006. "We're very happy, and I don't want to (blank) it up."

So far so good, Howard. Here's hoping this one is for keeps.

Diamond Ring #2 for Bachelorette, Jen Schefft

Looks like old Jen finally got it right. After two failed attempts at love on TV’s The Bachelorette, Jen Schefft has a diamond ring she can actually wear on her ring finger. The lucky guy is Joe Waterman, a trader who hails from Chicago.

The couple met on a blind date in February, and the hook up came through one of Schefft’s previous blind dates that didn’t work out. You gotta give a girl props for getting out there.

"I'm so excited and so happy," says Schefft. "We really get each other. I guess it's true things move fast when you meet the right person."

This news comes on the heels of her former fiancé, Andrew Firestone’s, announcement that he and his wife are expecting their first child. Jen was reportedly heart broken when their relationship ended, and kept the 2.8 carat Harry Winston engagement ring when the two parted ways.

We're still scouting the specs for the diamond rock from Waterman and their early wedding details, but USMagazine reports the happy couple will most likely have a small affair next spring in Chicago.

"We're going to keep it small and intimate - just really close family and friends,” says Schefft.

Looks like this reality show veteran wants to keep it real. Our fingers are crossed for you, Jen. One bit of advice for your florist: No. Roses.

Diamonds for Dreamgirls!

Jennifer Hudson got one whopper of a birthday present this Friday when her boyfriend, David Otunga, proposed! According to People magazine, the Dreamgirl was given a platinum, five-carat diamond ring from Neil Lane to seal the deal.

Otunga is best known as “Punk” on the VH1 reality show “I Love New York 2”. The couple have been dating for about a year, both hail from the windy city of Chicago and, come to think of it, both are reality show rejects who have gone on to bigger and better. Bravo! Hudson's five carat rock doesn't rival fellow Dreamgirl, Beyonce's, eighteen-carat juggernaut, but why compete? They both have amazing careers and bright futures ahead.

Ms. Hudson’s self-titled album is due to drop on September 30th, and her new movie, The Secret Lives of Bees, will debut on October 17th. If the film is as good as the book (and I just saw the trailer this weekend - it's going to be), we might be smelling Oscar for Hudson yet again. Is it OK to get nauseous now? American Idol rejection must seem like a world away.

Our congrats to the happy couple!

Rock of Ages! Beyonce Debuts Diamond Engagement Ring at Fashion Rocks

There are diamond engagement rings, and there are diamond engagement rings. New bride, Beyonce Knowles flashed one blinder of a rock on the Fashion Rocks red carpet this weekend, and jewelry lovers everywhere dropped to their knees.

Weighing in at a mere 18 (yes, you heard it Cindy) carats, the Lorraine Schwartz ring is valued at $5 million and features a flawless, emerald cut diamond. Jay-Z does pretty well for himself, we hear.

The music biz’s royal couple secretly married in April, and the stalkerazzi has been waiting for the diamond to debut ever since. Timing is everything.

Beyonce also wowed the audience with her “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” duet with one Justin Timberlake during the show and appeared in full Etta James garb to pay homage to the chaunteuse, who was in the audience and who Beyonce portrays in her latest film, Cadillac Records.

To see both the bling and the sing, watch Fashion Rocks this Tuesday in a two-hour special on CBS. Proceeds benefit Stand Up To Cancer, a program established by the Entertainment Industry Foundation to raise money for cancer research.

Tickled Pink - A Wedding to Match the Ring

It’s official. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are wife and wife. Twenty wedding guests dressed in summer formal attire made their way to the power couple’s $29 million home in Beverly Hills this Saturday, and Us Weekly reports it was a beautiful affair.

"It was all close friends and family," said a source, adding that no celeb guests were spotted entering all day. “Before the intimate ceremony, the brides posed for pictures with Ellen’s mom and their two dogs”. Both wore Zac Posen and exchanged rings by Neil Lane. Portia’s engagement ring debuted at the Daytime Emmy Awards in June – a gorgeous marquis cut Neil Lane sparkler set with pink diamonds. It matched perfectly with her Cinderella inspired pale pink wedding dress and the pink and white flowers that were spotted making an entrance earlier that day.

DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, have been dating since December 2004. On May 15, 2008, the day after the California Supreme Court struck down a ban on gay marriage, DeGeneres announced on her talk show that she and de Rossi were planning to tie the knot.

The audience, which included a beaming Portia, responded with a standing ovation.

Ellen then quipped: "I'll tell you who the lucky guy is soon."

Congratulations to the happy couple!

The Engagement Ring Debate Takes A Celebrity Turn - Calling It Quits? Who Gets The Rock?

Brace yourselves readers for a real shocker. The Bachelor’s Matt Grant and Shayne Lamas have called off their engagement! Mere month’s ago, the 27-year-old British financier told Reality TV World, "When I proposed, I said the only reason there's been any question really is because it just seemed too good to be true." Apparently my dear Matt, it was.

While an official statement reports the split was a mutual decision, the rumor mills put the young bride-to-be as the dump-er. A ‘devastated’ Shayne tells People.com she plans to keep the 2.85-carat Tacori platinum-and-diamond eternity ring,”...in a glass box, like a slipper.” Yeah. Right. Diana’s rock from Dodi might be worthy of a shrine, but my guess is this bauble will find its way on eBay in no time.

Call me clairvoyant, but a few days ago this “keep it or chuck it” engagement ring dilemma was on my mind, and I encouraged jilted women to keep the rock and make it their own. But what happens when it’s us gals who do the jilting? Bachelor Matt wants his ex to donate the bauble to charity. Seems a fair solution to me. Legally, though, I discovered that the ring is the property of the ‘giver’ until a wedding takes place. Gasp! In other words, until you say those “I Do’s” the bling on your finger isn’t really yours in a court of law. Kind of takes the romance out of it, no?

So to those newly betrothed like CSI Miami’s Eva LaRue (who was presented with a - wait for it - 4 carat(!) diamond from her businessman boyfriend), proceed with caution. If you or your guy has a change of heart, better hope the bloke doesn’t want to take it to the judge – or the local pawnshop.

Jilted - Take The Diamond Ring and Make It Yours

Once an engagement is called off, should the women return her engagement ring? Some say absolutely, others say absolutely no. If she keeps it, what should she do with it? Some say put it in a box, stuff it under the underwear and let it be a reminder of a 'narrow escape'. Others say sell it, auction it, give it away or even have the diamond reset into a solitaire pendant.

A friend of mine, whose boyfriend bought her diamond engagement ring from Wal-mart (a good deal it was too) actually returned it for store credit and for at least a year, didn't pay a dime for her toilet-paper, bleach and mega-sized bags of potato chips.

But, the return of the ring is going to be the least of a jilter's troubles if a recent ruling is anything to go by. A woman in Florida was awarded $150,000 when her fiancee called off their wedding.

Apparently leaving a note in the bathroom expressing doubts isn't the best way to let your intended know you're having second thoughts. This intended obviously wasn't going to go with the 'we'll still be friends line'. Instead, the jilted bride to be, Rose-Marie Shell took her once-betrothed to court claiming she suffered significantly, both and emotionally and financially, from his decision to call off the nuptials.

The 2-carat diamond engagement ring remains hers, although she said she plans to sell it. Instead of selling your rings - take the pain and make it yours. Have the diamond re-set in a cocktail setting - after all if this doesn't call for some self-indulgence - what does?

Diamond Rings For Nicole And DeAnna

This week, it's all coming together with diamonds, gold and some rocking rings. Nicole had her Sunday (that's the name of her new baby girl - not the outrageous idea that the Australian actress had eaten some ice-cream....... god-forbid) and hubby Keith Urban is rumored to have gifted his wife a $73,000 Cartier diamond 'trinity' ring. It's actually three rings intertwined - a yellow gold ring dusted with diamond that represents friendship - a rose gold diamond encrusted ring for love and a white gold ring with diamonds symolizing fidelity.

As we talked about yesterday, Lindsay's love give her a diamond ring for her B-day and then on Monday, the suspense was finally over thanks to a Tacori diamond ring. Yep, the world has been put to rights and we can all rest easy - the Bachelorette, DeAnna Pappas has chosen her man.

Cyncism aside (as well as issues such as gas prices and the threat of an Iranian super-missile) -

DeAnna Pappas chose pro-snowboarder Jesse Csincsak to be her man. Both Jesse and account executive Jason Mesnick proposed to the once-spurned 'Bachelor' contender, but DeAnna went for the snowboarder who presented her with a platinum and 2.3 carat diamond ring that featured a princess cut center stone and princess-cut channel set diamonds.

The nuptials have apparently been set May 9 in Bahamas.