The History and Evolution of Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are such an integral part of modern culture that it’s easy to forget the tradition hasn’t always existed in its current form. In fact, it has evolved quite a bit throughout history. Getting down on one knee with a gold and diamond ring may be the norm today, but ancient traditions were a lot different. 

Let’s start at the beginning and look at how couples once expressed their love and commitment—and how those early traditions evolved into what we know today.

Commitments of Ancient History 

The earliest examples of engagement rings come from ancient Egypt, where they weren’t crafted from precious metals or gemstones but instead made from materials like reeds, leather, or bone. Ancient Egyptians believed that a “vein of love” ran from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the heart. Though not anatomically true, this romantic idea gave rise to what we now call the “ring finger,” where commitment rings—whether purity, promise, engagement, or wedding—are still traditionally worn.

Once the tradition spread to Ancient Rome, it did become a bit more formal. Roman men started to present their partners with rings made of iron, and the wealthier members of society showed their status by purchasing gold rings for their significant others. Some of these rings were even engraved with images or words of their commitment. In ancient Rome, engagement rings symbolized not only an intention to marry but also mutual ownership and the sharing of property between partners. 

Engagements of the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the engagement ring took on a more symbolic and religious meaning. In 860 CE, Pope Nicholas I declared that engagement rings should be presented by a man if he intended to marry someone. Gold was the most common metal. It was also during this time that engagement rings started to be adorned with small gemstones.

The Middle Ages was when the posy ring, the fede ring, and the gimmel ring became popular. The posy ring was a band engraved with a romantic phrase in either Latin or French. The fede ring had an engraved image of two hands together, which was a symbol of togetherness.The gimmel ring consisted of two or three interlocking bands. During the engagement, each partner wore one ring, and the pieces were reunited and locked together during the marriage ceremony. This was seen as a very symbolic gesture of their lives coming together as one. 

The Renaissance and Popularity of Gemstone Rings

The Renaissance was a time of wealth and creativity throughout Europe, which extended to jewelry. Engagement rings became more elaborate, with engraved patterns and precious gemstones such as rubies and emeralds.

In 1477, the first known diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It was a group of smaller diamonds arranged in the shape of an M. This display of wealth inspired other gentlemen to begin including diamonds in their partners’ engagement rings—and thus, the tradition was born.

Baroque Engagements of the 17th and 18th Centuries 

The Baroque Era, known for its extravagance and opulence, saw engagement rings become far more elaborate and bold in design. Jewelers during this time period started cutting stones in more complicated cutting styles, creating shapes that hadn’t been seen before. These new shapes helped stones reflect light better and increased sparkle. Cluster rings also became popular during this time–where the center stone was surrounded by smaller stones–leading to even more sparkle. 

In the Georgian era (1714 - 1837), engagement rings had a more romantic feel and featured rose cut diamonds set in rings with floral or other feminine motifs. Enamel details in rings also became common during this time, which added another level of color detail to colored gemstone rings. 

Romantic Rings of The Victorian Era

A defining moment of the Victorian Era came in 1840 when Prince Albert proposed to Queen Victoria with a snake-shaped ring featuring an emerald as the snake’s head. The snake symbolized eternal love and inspired a widespread trend in snake-themed jewelry.

Engagement rings during this time were incredibly intricate, featuring feminine and nature themed motifs similar to those of the Georgian Era. Colored stone engagement rings were very popular as well. Diamond mines were discovered in South Africa during the Victorian Era, which ushered in the enduring fascination with diamonds that continues today.

The Art Deco Engagement Glamour

The 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of the Art Deco era, characterized by bold designs, geometric patterns, and striking gold accents. Platinum was the metal of choice for engagement rings during this era—valued for its weight, rarity, and luxury, it became a clear symbol of opulence. Popular diamond shapes featured hard lines such as baguettes and princess cuts.

The 20th Century and the Rise of Diamonds 

In 1947 De Beers launched the famous “A Diamond is Forever” marketing campaign. It cemented diamonds as the absolute symbol of love and affection. Diamonds became a girl’s “best friend,” and from that point on, they were expected to be the centerpiece of an engagement ring. During the 1960s, the solitaire diamond engagement ring rose in popularity when Tiffany & Co. designed the Tiffany setting. This featured a high set round brilliant cut diamond, making it the star of the ring. 

By the 1970s, yellow gold was on the rise, along with fancy cut diamonds such as marquise and princess cut. The 1990s brought a wave of customized jewelry with white metals–such as white gold and platinum– becoming the norm. Colored gemstones also came back in vogue with Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring–which now belongs to Kate Middleton. 

The 21st Century Customization 

Modern engagement rings come in a wide variety of styles and metals, with white, rose, and yellow gold—as well as platinum—all enjoying popularity.

Today people are less concerned with following trends and more interested in expressing their own personal style. This has led to the rise of custom engagement rings, which allows the ring to be designed completely by the customer. The diamond solitaire still has a captive audience, but colored gemstones are often used in place of diamonds in modern engagement rings.

Over the past five years, lab-grown diamonds and gemstones—along with recycled metals—have risen in popularity for being both eco-friendly and budget-conscious choices. The current generation of engagement ring shoppers is more concerned with sustainability, often choosing a ring that doesn’t harm the planet.  

Final Thoughts

The engagement ring has evolved significantly from Ancient Egypt to the modern ring we know today. This evolution has reflected the changes of society and culture. Whether you’re drawn to the traditional diamond solitaire or are interested in a custom colored gemstone design, your choice has centuries of history behind it. Whatever you choose will become a special part of your history, which means it will never go out of style.