A Beginner's Guide - Engagement Rings

Introduction

Rings symbolize love. This is why a man offers a ring to woman he loves and wants to marry. So once you are ready to propose your love to the woman you want to spend your life with, you must choose the right ring to symbolize this. An engagement ring is worn by women who have accepted marriage proposals from their men. Basically, it indicates harmony by both parties to a marriage which can be set at any time. Although engagement rings are usually given by men to ladies, the practice of giving the same to a man by the lady herself is becoming common these days.

Origin of Engagement Ring

Other betrothal gifts were common before 20th century. Before the end of the 19th century, the bride-to-be frequently received a sewing thimble rather than an engagement ring. This practice was particularly general among religious groups that shunned jewelry. Betrothal rings were used during Roman times. Archduke Maximilian of Austria was the first one who used diamond ring to signify engagement at imperial court of Vienna in 1477.

Description of Engagement Rings

All types of engagement rings have their own defining characteristics that make it unique from other rings. The most common are diamond, gold, platinum and silver rings.

The basic parts of engagement rings are:

The one essential part goes around the finger is band. Bands are made of silver, platinum or gold.

The setting is the part of the ring holding the stone. On some rings, the setting is pronged, while other settings are more "hidden."