Vintage engagement rings

Engagement ring – Introduction

I know you know it, but let’s start with the basis. A person who is engaged to be married is the one who wears an engagement ring. An engagement ring generally indicates that any woman or man who is wearing it is committed and is about to get married soon. Engagement rings are worn in several different cultures in many different ways.  In most western cultures it is a tradition that only women would wear an engagement ring and not men. But in many cultures men and women both have to wear an engagement ring.

An engagement ring usually has a diamond or some other precious gemstone in it. In some cultures men and women both have been seen wearing the same design of an engagement ring. While in some regions engagement rings are also worn as wedding rings.

Conventionally an engagement ring is presented to a woman by a man when he asks her for her hand in marriage or can be presented directly too, once she has already accepted his marriage proposal. An engagement ring is known for representing that the person wearing it is in a formal commitment is about to get married soon. A couple can even buy an engagement ring together or it may also be bought by one partner for his or her loved one.

In western cultures for example in the United Kingdom and North America, an engagement ring is believed to be worn on the left hand’s ring finger. However, in many other different cultures an engagement ring is also worn on different fingers.

A couple may also choose to wear pre-engagement rings, these rings are worn before a man and woman agrees on getting married, but they like each other. These rings are called promise rings. Once a couple is married they might choose to wear both their engagement rings as well as wedding rings. Some women even get their engagement ring and wedding ring soldered together permanently after they get married.

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Engagement ring – History

Engagement rings were firstly used in ancient Roman cultures. Back then they were not used in western cultures. In western cultures engagement rings were first used sometime around the 13^th century.

The first man who documented that a diamond ring should be used to represent an engagement ring in 1477 upon his proposal to Mary of Burgundy was Archduke Maximilian, who belonged from Australia.

In different times however there have been many different traditions. Till the 19^th century the woman who was about to be married was often gifted a sewing thimble instead of an engagement ring. But this practice was more common among those people who were very religious and not at all fond of jewelry.

In the west, engagement rings were not considered standard until the time of end of the 19^th century. And diamond rings only became common after the 1930’s.

How to purchase an engagement ring

A person who is willing to buy an engagement ring should keep several points in mind, including  engagement ring prices, the kind of style he is looking for and what would make his better half most happy.  

• Once you know what you are looking for then you should visit some good jewelry designer and ask him to show you the styles in engagement rings that fancy you and select the one that suits you best both in design and economically. 

• You can even design your own engagement ring with the help of an engagement ring designer. All you have to do is tell him that what kind of cut, color and gemstone you want in your engagement ring and you would get exactly the kind of engagement ring that you were looking for. 

• If your girl is not very fond of gold then you can always get her a platinum engagement ring. Platinum engagement rings not only look beautiful but they are extremely elegant at the same time. 

• Vintage engagement rings are best known for being a lovely little piece of history and as they are very rare, if you get an antique engagement ring for your girl that you want to marry then she would know how much she means to you because she would be able to see the effort that you would put in finding a vintage engagement ring for her. Vintage style engagement rings are best if you are looking for different and unique engagement rings. 

• The basic concept that a man should spend a generous fraction of his annual income on buying an engagement ring for his loved one originated back in the 1930’s in order to increase the sale of diamonds in The United States Of America. De Beers marketing materials suggested that a man should spend an amount equal to his one month’s salary on buying an engagement ring later it was said that he should at least spend his two months’ salary on buying the perfect engagement ring. In the year 2007, the average cost of an engagement ring in The United States of America was 2100 US dollars. 

• Like everything else the price of an engagement ring depends upon the materials used, the design of an engagement ring, the fact whether your engagement ring has a gemstone on it or not and most importantly the worth of the gem. If you think that an expensive diamond engagement ring is something that does not fit into your budget then you can always purchase a less expensive engagement ring. There are many jewelry stores that offer cheap engagement rings also. How much you have to spend on purchasing an engagement ring depends on the engagement ring setting. 

• The prices of gemstones in engagement rings vary on the fact that how rare they are, their types and the quality of a gemstone. Diamonds are most expensive; there are many different kinds of diamonds. Each diamond is differentiated upon its cut, carat and clarity. All other gemstones such as for example Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires have different qualities. These gemstones are chosen to carry on a family tradition or in order to use a family heirloom. This makes the engagement rings unique and very significant. 

Back in the 20^th century if a man could afford to buy an engagement ring then he would personally select an engagement ring for the woman that he’s about to propose to. But now mostly couples go together to select their engagement rings. In many cultures where the groom and bride both wear engagement rings, a lot of times couples choose to purchase matching engagement rings also.

But in Canada and The United States Of America where only women are the one to wear an engagement ring, often women also purchase engagement rings for their partners and later present them with the rings.

Various styles of an engagement ring

Just like all other different kinds of jewelry an engagement ring also comes in countless designs and styles. Each individual person has a different preference for designs, materials, gems and styles of an engagement ring. Which is why, it is now possible for everyone to find the exact kind of engagement ring that they have been always looking for. 

In The United States of America where only women are known to wear engagement rings traditionally, diamonds in The United States Of America are featured pretty widely in most engagement rings ever since mid 20^th century. Because we all must have heard the say that, “A diamond is a girl’s best friend”.

The engagement rings that have only one single diamond are called solitaire engagement rings.  Tiffany & Co. is widely known all around the world for it wide variety of the world’s most beautiful engagement rings. They featured the first mount ever back in the year 1886 that held a gem stone with its six claws, it is now known as Tiffany mount. Engagement rings that have a one big diamond in its centre and other smaller diamonds on its side usually fit into this category.

Diamond engagement rings which feature three diamonds in then are often called trinity rings or trilogy engagement rings. These engagement rings have three exactly same diamonds set in a horizontal row with the bigger stone in the centre. It is believed that the three diamonds set on the ring are known to represent the past, present and future of the couple that owns the ring. 

Where to find the perfect engagement ring

Although you can always go to a jewelry store to purchase an engagement ring but thanks to the latest technologies, now you can even order the perfect engagement ring of your dreams by sitting at your home and placing an order online. There are so many good websites these days on which you can order jewelry online including engagement rings. Many good jewelry designers and well known jewelry brands also have their websites now where they are now offering to deliver their precious little jewelry pieces all across the globe.

If you are looking for a website from where u can buy an engagement ring online then one of the best options for you to check are;

Ross-simons.com is a must check for you if you are looking for beautiful engagement rings online.

JamesAllen.com is another excellent option for you, if you are looking for a delicate and elegant engagement ring. They have a great selection of designer engagement rings.

Bluenile.com is your best option if diamond engagement rings are what you are trying to find. Bluenile has the world’s best diamond rings and they offer to deliver these rings worldwide. The quality of the diamonds is extra-ordinary.

Since1910.com is also another good site for you to check out. They offer a wide variety of some really breath taking engagement rings.

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