Though the modern idea of a diamond engagement ring is not quite so old, rings as a sign of a couple’s betrothal can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. While the Egyptians believed the closed circle of a ring symbolized an eternal bond between lovers, the Greeks used rings to celebrate many different types of relationships which included friendships as well as lovers.
It wasn’t until 1477 that diamond rings became the standard ring used for proposals. This was the year when Princess Mary of Burgundy, the Archduke’s betrothed, received a diamond ring from the Archduke. Fast forward a few hundred years and Frances Gerety, a young copywriter, wrote an advertisement for the DeBeers diamond company using the phrase “a diamond is forever.” This ad campaign further popularized the giving of an expensive diamond ring to the love of your life. While it seems that the tradition of a diamond engagement ring is old and beloved, it is, in fact, the result of a clever marketing trick.
Diamond Engagement Rings 