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Diamond engagement rings are tailored jewellery pieces that men hand to their sweethearts when they decide to marry their special someone. The majority of women are very happy when presented with these rings, and they think of them as some of the greatest treasures in their lives.

An engagement ring indicates to people that the person wearing it is engaged to another and is about to be married. The presentation and offering of such ring is part of a tradition of courtship in many countries, especially in Western cultures. In Ireland, North America, and the UK, these rings are typically worn only by ladies. In other nations, both men and women put on rings, typically matching each other. And in some other lands, engagement rings can be used as wedding rings. In all, taking the ring signifies that the lady accepts the man’s proposal and represents a formal agreement to a marriage in the near future. Customarily, the ring is worn on the left hand of the ring finger.

The custom of giving engagement rings dates back to Roman times. However, it was not popularly practiced in the West until the 13th century. In fact, the first recorded use of a diamond ring to represent the formality of a marriage proposal was in an imperial court in Vienna in 1477. During that time, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a ring to his betrothal, Mary of Burgundy.

Engagement rings were not just the only betrothal gifts that were used in the past. For instance, prior to the 20th century, the fiancee received a sewing thimble rather than a piece of jewellery. The tradition was commonplace, particularly in nations where strong religious organizations do not prefer jewellery. In the islands of the Pacific Ocean, cowrie shells were utilized in lieu with the ring. Engagement rings did not become popular betrothal gifts until the final years of the 19th century. In fact, it was only in the 1930s when diamond stud earrings and diamond rings as gifts for engagement became widely known.

Presently, more than 80% of women in the West are given a diamond ring in order to indicate an engagement and a proposal for marriage.

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