Close your eyes and imagine the man of your dreams going down on one knee, and proposing to you with a diamond ring right below the Eiffel Tower. Quite dreamy, right? Diamonds are said to be a symbol of love and eternity. Two people promise to be together till the end of time and lock it with a diamond ring. But do you know how diamonds became an integral part of engagement rings? How did they come to be known as a symbol of love? Well, here it is then! The love affair between diamonds and engagement rings.

In earlier times, a diamond ring was nothing more than a symbol of ownership. In ancient Rome, women were given rings made of bone, copper, ivory, iron or flint that signified a business
contract or to affirm mutual love and obedience. Today, diamonds are worth much more than just money. In olden times, a man used to present his prospective bride with an engagement claiming
his ownership on her. It is believed by anthropologists that this tradition originated from a Roman custom where wives wore rings attached to small keys, indicating their husbands’ ownership of
them. It was in 1477 when diamonds became a part of the engagement ring for the very first time when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgandy with a gold band graced with diamonds. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the ring featured long and narrow diamonds ascended in the shape of an “M.”

In the following centuries after that, engagement rings evolved repeatedly, following popular styles and trends of the time periods. In the 1700s and early 1800s, faceted gemstones and detailed metal work were in demand, and Queen Victoria’s time on the throne rom 1876 to 1901 inspired several different looks. In earlier years, the bride’s birthstone was used in the engagement ring. According to the International Gem Society, later in the Victorian era, the jewellers saw a rise in solitaire engagement rings.

During the Great Depression, couples started opting for less extravagant rings, so the styles became simpler and the stones smaller. Until World War II hit, platinum was widely the metal of choice for engagement rings as the material was needed for the war effort. In the 1940’s fashion was all about doing more with less, and engagement rings were no exception. Jewellers began adding intricate designs like flowers, bows, leaves, or hearts to settings to make up for smaller stones. The glamorous cushion cut and solitaire center stones were in style amongst the rich class.

But that is not what made the diamond rings a trendsetter. It was only after 1947, that the diamond rings became popular when a British Company that mined diamonds in South Africa, launched an advertising campaign. That is when the diamond engagement rings skyrocketed in popularity. The solitaire rings became quite popular ever since amongst the celebrities as well as the masses. And with time this trend has just gron. Now, young independent women, buy engagement rings and gift it to themselves as a symbol of self-love.

Diamond is more than just a stone or a mineral. It is like an individual, moulded with time. It is such an awe-inspiring natural marvel that it is befitting that whoever crafts completely understands the intricacies of design and the expertise of sourcing, cutting, polishing and refining this one-of-its-kind gemstone. Because diamonds are more than just an investment. They are a symbol of love and eternity, so it is very much important to make it special for your special one. And Finnati, is where you will find this. Have a glance at the beautiful collection by Finnati only at finnati.com/ and find your best friend.