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It’s hard to picture an engagement or a wedding without rings: no going down on one knee, no ring-bearers, no memento of the day you popped the big question. There’s no doubt about it, rings are a key part of the wedding tradition. But has this always been the case?
It’s impossible to say when the first engagement ring was given, but we do know for sure that we’ve been using rings as symbols of marriage for nearly 7,000 years: as far back as 4,800 BC, couples in Ancient Egypt would present each other with rings made from braided papyrus to signify their marriage. The earliest use of metal wedding rings goes back to around 200 BC, when presenting the bride-to-be with a golden or iron wedding band became common practice in Ancient Rome.
The first documented account of diamonds being used in a wedding ring was in 1477: the Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy using a gold ring set with thin, flat diamonds that made the shape of an M. Of course, this set an extravagant precedent for other nobles in Europe, and before long, diamond fever had spread far and wide among royalty and noble families.
By and large, diamond engagement rings were only affordable for the extremely wealthy for the next few hundred years. After massive diamond mines were found in South Africa in the late 19th century, the worldwide supply of the precious stones increased exponentially, but it wasn’t until De Beers ran their now-infamous ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ advertising campaign that diamonds became a defining feature of wedding and engagement rings. It’s a fascinating history to read — have a look at this article on The Atlantic for a good breakdown.
You don’t have to go along the traditional route when choosing an engagement ring. Some unconventional ideas for engagement rings include:
Diamonds might be the most common stones for wedding jewellery, but they’re by no means the only option. If your partner has a favourite gem, she might appreciate a ring set with that instead of a diamond. Alternatively, you could choose a gem that matches your partner’s favourite colour, or one that complements the colours she wears often.
Whether you're thinking emeralds, opals, abalone shells, or even rough cut black or brown diamonds, there are a variety of options that you can choose from when picking a stone for your ring.
Unlike traditional wedding rings which have the standard mirror polished finish, a brushed wedding ring is finished with a wire brushed texture. If you are interested in a less shiny, more subtle look, a brushed wedding ring might be the ring for you.
A cuff ring is different from a regular ring in it's unusual "open" design. The ring is not complete, but is open on one end. Don't worry, this ring won't fall off, and can in fact be easily adjusted to properly grip your finger. These come in a variety of designs, from a simple open ring, to rings with settings on each side, to twisted rings with parallel settings. They can also be made from a variety of metals if gold is not what you’re looking for.
A nesting ring might appear like to an ordinary ring at a glance, but if you look more carefully you'll notice the protective "nest" behind the engagement ring.
This "nest" is in fact a wedding band that has created to fit around the shape of your engagement ring.
Even though watches are not as popular as they used to be, a well designed watch is not only a fashionable accessory, but can be a gift from a bride-to-be to her future husband as an engagement gift. A quality watch, much like a ring, can be passed down through the generations as a family heirloom and as a reminder of the bond of the people who once owned it. The two types of watches that are worthwhile considering as engagement gifts are pocket watches or dress watches. Depending on your budget, you might consider a Rolex, Bell & Ross, or Cartier for the groom.
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No matter what you decide to go purchase, whether it's traditional or an unconventional and eccentric choice, you will still want to protect it.
One way of doing this is with Q Report's jewellery insurance. You can choose between the Q Pocket insurance package, which is for items valued at less than $5000, or the Q Classic insurance package, which covers items valued at more than $5001. To find out more, contact us for a jewellery insurance quote.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
