Nowadays it often goes without saying that an engagement will involve the giving of an engagement ring in the Western world, followed by a wedding ring at a later date, however this hasn’t always been the case. At some point in time these traditions began, but when and why, you may wonder. This blog post takes a look at the roots and development of the engagement ring.

It is thought that the first engagement rings were created and worn by the Ancient Egyptians, who viewed the circle as a symbol of eternity. They therefore exchanged braided reed rings before they wed, to be worn on the left-hand ring finger, as it was believed that this finger had a vein which ran directly to the heart – the ‘vena amoris’. This has since been proven untrue, of course, but what a romantic notion it was!

Ancient Romans gave engagement rings, but these rings were less about love, and more a symbol of ownership of the woman. Interestingly, once married, the woman received two wedding rings also: one to wear at home, made of iron, and one to wear when attending special events, made of gold.

In the Middle Ages, inscriptions started being added to the inside of engagement rings, giving them more of a loving symbolism.

Diamond engagement rings didn’t come on the scene until much later on. The ring Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with in 1477 is often cited as the first ever diamond engagement ring. This ring didn’t, however, start a trend, as diamonds were so incredibly expensive and rare at the time. The ring gifted to Mary was set with thin, flat pieces of diamond, arranged in the shape of an “M.”

Moving forward in time to 1840, Prince Albert proposed to Queen Victoria with a beautiful emerald ring, as that was her birthstone (and she gave him two garters in return, as was the custom then). Little did they know that the Queen would soon be receiving and loving many a diamond gift.

Diamonds remained fairly unpopular until they were discovered in British provinces in South Africa in the mid-1800s. Cecil Rhodes, a British Mining Magnate, founded De Beers in 1880 and started mining diamonds. The Queen became known for her love of diamonds over time, and their popularity rose – in general, and as an option for engagement rings.

The Victorians got very creative with their engagement rings, mixing diamonds with other gemstones, and adding inscriptions of poems or messages of love inside the ring, much like people did in the Middle Ages. Precious metals and enamels were also experimented with.

In the current day in the UK, diamond engagement rings are very popular, and most proposals are made with one. While the shape of the diamond/s changes over time, as do settings and metals, the popularity of the engagement ring as a symbol of commitment and love is here to stay.

You can explore our beautiful range of engagement rings, here. Ready for the next stage? You’ll find our wedding ring collection here.

Featured image credit: Felmeeeh/BigStock.com

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For many, an engagement isn’t real until it has been announced on social media! Once you have told your nearest and dearest over the phone or face-to-face, it’s time to share your exciting news with the world — and what better way to do that than by showing off that gorgeous new piece of jewellery on your finger?

With your engagement ring photo being such an important post, you might want to take some time to consider how you would like to present your news. It’s time for an engagement ring photoshoot!

Take a look at our ideas below for some tips and inspiration on how to take a good engagement ring photo.

Use good lighting

Lighting can make or break a photograph, and an engagement ring selfie is no exception. Outside is ideal, but if you are taking your photo indoors, take it in the daytime and stand near a window. Watch out for shadows, though. Not only does good lighting make for a crisper photograph, with better colours, but your diamond will sparkle more, too.

Keep your nails in check

You don’t need to rush off and book a manicure if that’s not your thing, but an engagement ring photo will look a lot better if you don’t have week-old nail polish peeling off your fingernails! Make sure your nails are looking tidy before you get snapping, as you want your new ring to be the star of the show – not your nails! You might like to moisturise your hands too, to alleviate any dry patches and leave them looking extra healthy in your snap.

Get to know your engagement ring

In your photo, you will want to highlight whatever aspect of your ring you love the most. So take some time to really get to know your ring, and decide what you would like to show off. If the setting is your favourite section, take the photo on an angle to capture it in its full glory. If the shape of the diamond is what you admire, take a shot from above. Love the shoulder detailing? You know what to do!

Test angles out

Much like standard selfies, hands can look better at certain angles, and this differs from hand to hand. So spend some time finding the perfect angle for you. Make sure you relax your hand, too – a stiff hand will look awkward. If you don’t feel comfortable, consider holding a prop, such as a bunch of flowers, a candle or perhaps a nice handbag.

 

Choose a worthy background

Choose your background carefully, as it can make or break your engagement ring selfie. Opt for something you love, whether it’s a pattern, scenery, a skyline, a floral arrangement, your fiancé, or simply a lovely outfit with your hand resting on your lap.

Take lots of photos

You may only be sharing one image online, but you should take lots of photos, giving you many to choose from. Once you have narrowed it down to one or two pictures, you can play around with filters and editing software, and create the perfect image to announce your new relationship status to the world.

If you are searching for the perfect engagement ring for your girlfriend, you can explore the stunning Robert Gatward collection, here.

 

Header image credit: VadimGuzhva/BigStock.com

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