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RAPAPORT… Love is always in style and the past three decades prove that, as weddings in the U.S. hold steady with 2.1 million to 2.3 million couples saying “I do” each year. The gifting of an engagement ring and the purchase of wedding bands is one of the most important parts of the wedding ritual. While the diamond engagement ring only became a rite of passage in the U.S. during World War II, the history of engagement rings dates back to ancient times, when various metal bands were used to represent a betrothal or promise of marriage. The first diamond engagement ring is said to have been given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian in 1477. Fast forward to World War II and that’s when De Beers began to promote diamonds heavily in the U.S., providing a symbol of commitment for couples often separated by war. The tradition caught on and lingers today.
Today, brides and grooms tend to be in their late twenties the first time they get married, with one-third of all the couples tying the knot each year having done so before. While many factors play into the price of an engagement ring, lovetoknow.com reports that the average cost in the U.S. is $3,000 to $4,500, with an average diamond size of 0.33 carats to 0.75 carats. Diamond Information Center (DIC) research from a 2009 survey of 500 men and women between the ages of 18 and 44 conducted by Greenfield Online Research reported that the average ring price is $3,000 to $4,999, with 18 percent of all couples purchasing a ring in that price range. DIC research also found that approximately 81 percent of all brides receive a diamond engagement ring — and that’s a pretty big slice of the wedding cake.
In ancient mythology, diamonds were thought to be symbolic of loyalty and fidelity. Diamonds were also said to enhance intuition — as a man places a diamond ring on a woman’s finger, it is believed that she will instinctively know if he is the right husband for her.
Rings are the perfect symbol for marriage as circles have no beginning or end and represent eternity, renewal, perfection and wholeness. The circle is also symbolic of bringing two people together in the circle of life.
Micropavé currently is an important design element in engagement rings. However, there is a trend to cleaner lines and more contemporary styles as brides-to-be look for rings that are easy to wear every day.
