Verragio
The type of expensive gemstone ring we think of as an engagement ring now was initially reserved solely for the upper classes. Indeed, the first known example of an exclusive, gem-set engagement ring was presented by royalty at the imperial court of Vienna. It was there in 1477 that Mary of Burgundy received a diamond betrothal ring from Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It was not until the 1800s that engagement rings became more common among less affluent couples and, even then, it was not until the 20th century that diamond rings became the accepted standard to accompany a proposal in Western culture. That was when deposits of diamond rough, the crystalline material from
which faceted diamonds are cut, were discovered in African mines, leading diamonds to have a greater and more affordable presence on the gemstone market. This availability led jewelers to create more intricate and diverse designs in which to set their diamonds, which in turn increased their demand and appeal in engagement jewelry. Throughout history, engagement rings have announced the union between young lovers. Today as much as ever, they serve as a declaration of the love, fidelity, and enduring passion between two people who hope to spend their lives honoring that bond.
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