Diamond Engagement Rings: Their Retail History And What To Look Out For
Diamond rings are a well-known symbol of a couple’s commitment and love for one another. But have you ever wondered why this is the case, and when they became the representation of marriage that they are today?
Here, we take a look at when diamonds were found, how they became so popular for engagements and what to look out for when purchasing.
Where Was The First Diamond Found?
It’s said that the first diamond was found in India approximately 2,500 years ago. The GIA explain they were gathered from rivers and streams, and “some historians estimate that India was trading in diamonds as early as the fourth century BC”.
They explain that Indian diamonds made their way to the west, travelling in caravans to markets held in Venice along with other goods. During the 15th century, diamonds became increasingly popular among wealthy Europeans.
When Did Diamond Engagement Rings Become Popular For Engagements?
Today, diamonds are the most popular choice for those getting married – but this wasn’t always the case. Pre-1940s, gemstones like sapphires and opals were more common, with many popular styles featuring a coloured central stone surrounded by smaller diamonds.
It was after a successful marketing campaign from a company called De Beers in 1938 that diamond rings began to soar in popularity. According to the American Gem Society, it was then that the company “launched its now classic slogan, “A Diamond is Forever””.
They cleverly marketed “the durability of a diamond” as symbolising “that marriage is forever”. Since then, diamond rings have become a well-known symbol of love and commitment between two people.
What to Look For When Buying a Diamond Ring
If you’re looking to buy a diamond ring, there are several things you may want to consider before purchasing. This includes the four C’s – cut, clarity, carat and colour.
Cut
The first is the cut, which is often regarded as the most important factor. The quality of the cut will determine how sparkly the diamond appears, as well as mask any imperfections in colour and clarity.
Colour
Next is the colour – which is graded according to how colourless a diamond is. Those that are perfectly colourless are the highest quality and typically the most expensive. The AGS colouring grading system ranks diamonds on a scale of 0 (which has no colour) to 10 (which is yellow or brown).
Clarity
Then you should look at the clarity – which is a measure of how pure and rare the stone is. To assess the clarity, graders look at how visible inclusions and blemishes are under magnification. The higher the clarity, the purer and rarer the diamond.
Carat
The final C is for carat – which refers to a diamond’s physical weight. The higher the carat – the bigger and heavier the diamond will be!
Thanks to their sparkle, shine and elegance, it’s likely that the diamond will remain the most popular choice among happy couples for many more years to come.