Does it have to be a Diamond?

Does it have to be a Diamond?This is a subject which has been the source of much debate and controversy – and there are as many answers as there are men and women planning to get engaged.
Traditional Solitaire Engagement Ring

An important consideration is the symbolism of the engagement ring. It is not merely a gift (albeit a very expensive one) from the man to his bride-to-be; it is a symbol of his love for her and of the lasting nature of their relationship. As such there is great respect for the tradition of the engagement ring which is believed to have had its origin in Roman times, when the left ring finger was believed to be the start of the vena amoris (the vein of love) that led to the heart.

After this time, the history is unclear, but in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg may have started the tradition amongst European royalty by giving a diamond betrothal ring to his fiancée, Mary of Burgundy.

It is only in the twentieth century and especially after the 1930’s that the diamond engagement ring really took off. This can be attributed to De Beers who gave some enormous stones to some starlet; ensured that they were well-photographed and began to make sure that movie scripts included the big engagement scenes, complete with wide-eyed joy at the size of the rocks. Then it was ‘life imitating art’ and all brides to be felt that the proposal was incomplete without the addition of a pure white 2 carat diamond!

However, if an engagement is about a promise of fidelity, then who says it has to be visible in the form of a ring; or if there is a ting, why does it have to be a diamond?

In recent times there has been so much controversy surrounding ‘blood diamonds’ (as depicted in the movie of that title, starring Lionardo Di Caprio). Brides and grooms who do not want that on their conscience can happily check out www.brilliantearth,com or www.conflictfreediamons.org  for a diamond that is “produced under ethical conditions” and whose profit “is not used to fund war”.

Controversy aside, the diamond or not debate is once again a matter of personal taste. If your bride to be feels strongly about having a diamond, then your best response is that she must have one. If she has objections, or prefers something else, then once again, you must cater for her taste.
Other stones like pearls (in all their many shades, shapes and sizes), sapphires, rubies, emeralds and garnets have traditionally been used and are being used in more modern settings.