Why Diamond Rings Became the Ultimate Symbol of Marriage
There’s something timeless about the way a diamond sparkles. It captures light and love in a way that feels eternal. But how did this beautiful gemstone become the universal symbol of love, marriage, and commitment? The story stretches back thousands of years, blending history, romance, and even a little marketing magic.
Just as love itself evolves over time, so too have the ways we cut and shape these extraordinary gems, the precious metals we use, and the settings we put them in. From ancient talismans to today’s brilliant engagement rings, the history of diamonds is as enduring as the lasting relationships they represent.
From Ancient Wonders to Symbols of Devotion
The story of diamonds begins in ancient India, where they were first discovered thousands of years ago. To those early civilizations, diamonds were not merely beautiful, they were sacred. People believed these rare stones carried divine energy, offering protection and good fortune to their wearers.
In ancient Rome, the Romans admired diamonds as well, believing they were fragments of falling stars or tears of the gods. These early wedding rings were typically bands made of iron or gold, not diamonds, Romans believed diamonds held divine power and symbolized enduring love.
The First Diamond Engagement Ring
The tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring (rather than just a wedding band) began with Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477. He presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, marking the first recorded instance of a diamond being used to symbolize a marriage proposal. The gesture captured the imagination of European nobility, setting a precedent among the wealthy for using diamonds as a statement of eternal love, devotion, and prestige.
How Diamond Shapes Evolved with Time
Just as love stories changed through the ages, so did the way jewelers shaped the diamond’s beauty. In the Middle Ages, diamonds were worn in their natural form–unpolished, admired for their raw sparkle.
By the 1300s, artisans developed the point cut, highlighting the diamond’s natural geometry, followed soon by the table cut, which introduced a flat top and gave a glimpse of brilliance.
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The Resaissance brought the enchanting rose cut, shaped like a blooming flower with a domed top and triangular facets. Its soft glow under candlelight made it a popular choice as a romantic favorite of European courts. Below is a rose cut diamond and pear shaped emerald ring.
In the 1500s, the step cut which is characterized by long, narrow facets arranged in parallel rows became a new style of craftsmanship. The emerald cut, Asscher cut and baguette cut all utilize the step-cut. The emerald cut was initially used on emeralds, but expanded to include emerald cut diamonds. Featured are an emerald cut, an Asscher cut engagement ring, and a baguette eternity band.
By the 1700s and 1800s, cutters sought more brilliance, leading to the old mine cut and later the old European cut, which captured light in dazzling new ways. These early circular shapes become the ancestors of the modern (and most popular choice) the round brilliant which was perfected in 1919 by mathematician Marcel Tolkowsky. His precise proportions unleashed the diamond’s full fire and sparkle. The first ring displayed has an old mine cut and the second ring has a European cut center stone with surrounding old mine cut diamonds.
As artistry and craftsmanship advanced, new shapes emerged like the cushion cut and princess cut shown below.
The oval cut, pear shape cut, marquise cut (which are flattering and have elongated shape) are shown here.
Plus the heart-shaped diamond.
In the 21st century, diamond shapes are more diverse than ever. Advanced technology allows for precision cuts that maximize light and creativity, allowing personal style to drive choice. Some couples choose the timeless round brilliants for their classic elegance; others opt for fancy shapes or colored gemstones that express individuality. What hasn’t changed is what these diamond cuts represent: the enduring beauty of love, shaped and refined over time, just like the diamond itself.
The Changing Beauty of Precious Metals
While diamond shapes evolved, so did the precious metals that cradled them. In ancient times, rings were forged from iron, bronze, or unpolished gold, symbolizing endurance more than adornment. As craftsmanship flourished through the Renaissance and Victorian eras, jewelers embraced rich yellow gold and the romantic blush of rose gold, which became beloved for its warm, sentimental hue.
By the early 20th century, platinum emerged as the preferred precious metal for engagement rings. Its strength, durability, and silvery-white color perfectly complemented the brilliance of diamonds, and ushered in an age of refined elegance.
Later white gold offered a similar aesthetic with a softer warmth, becoming a favorite for generations. Today couples can choose their own personal style from a full palette of classic yellow, luminous white, or rosy tones, even mixing metals for a look that’s uniquely personal yet timeless. Below a mixed metal ring with white gold and rose gold and a tri-color band.
The Evolution of Ring Settings
As diamond cutting and metalwork advanced, so too did the art of the ring setting–the way the diamond is held and displayed. Early diamond rings often featured simple bezels that enclose the stone entirely, both to protect it and to reflect light gently. By the 19th century, open settings became more popular, allowing light to enter the stone from multiple angles and enhance its brilliance.
The Tiffany setting, introduced in 1886, revolutionized engagement rings by lifting the diamond high above the band with six slender prongs to maximize the diamond’s sparkle, showing the gemstone in all its glory.
From there, creativity flourished with the halo setting which surrounded the center stone with smaller diamonds for added radiance. Pave settings offered continuous shimmer across the band, and solitaire settings kept the focus purely on the diamond itself. Shown are a typical halo and a hidden halo with the first two rings, and a micro-pave diamond band.
Today’s designs range from vintage inspired to sleek contemporary minimalism. While styles may change, the purpose remains the same, the diamond engagement ring remains a symbol of love. Below a vintage art deco ring, a three stone ring, and a contemporary band.
“A Diamond is Forever” – A Promise That Endures
In 1947, the diamond’s place as the ultimate symbol of everlasting love was sealed forever. With the launch of De Beers’ legendary slogan, “A Diamond is Forever,” engagement rings symbolize the story of lasting love and marriage. Hollywood stars, postwar romance, and modern engagement traditions all helped make the diamond ring an essential part of saying “I do.”
Custom Engagement Rings: A Ring That Tells Your Story
Custom engagement rings have become increasingly popular because they let couples create their own personal touch giving their diamond engagement ring a deeper meaning than buying something that may feel mass-produced.
A custom engagement ring lets you choose every detail–the diamond's shape, the setting style, the precious metal, and even small design elements that hold personal meaning. From modern design, engravings, vintage inspired, incorporated birthstones, to whatever your perfect choice of an engagement ring might be, a custom ring captures your story.
A custom ring allows for superior craftsmanship and thoughtful details that go beyond standard designs. Many couples see a custom engagement ring as an heirloom in the making. At The Estate Watch & Jewelry Co., we can help you design an eye-catching engagement ring with your own unique design. Below is a sample custom ring.
A Love That Keeps Evolving
Today, diamonds continue to shine as the most cherished symbol of marriage, representing a bond that endures through time. Yet, couples are redefining what a diamond ring represents to them. Some embrace traditional cuts and precious metals. Others choose lab grown diamonds, colored gemstones, custom settings, or unique shapes that have their own personal meaning and style.
But no matter the choice, whether classic or contemporary, one thing remains constant: a diamond engagement ring continues to embody the beauty, enduring love, shared promises, and the brilliance of two lives coming together.
Why Choose Us for Your Diamond Love Story
At The Estate Watch & Jewelry Co. diamonds are our passion. We carefully source each stone and craft every ring with precision and artistry that your love deserves. We want to have diamonds symbolize the uniqueness of your relationship and love story. Our fine jewelry collection offers many choices. Whether you’re drawn to a classic round brilliant in platinum or a custom-cut diamond set in warm rose gold, we’ll help you find or create a piece that reflects your story–beautiful, enduring, and uniquely yours.