Marriage is one of the oldest, most prolific cultural traditions we have. People have been getting married in some form or another pretty much ever since we’ve existed as humans. While the definition of a marriage has been somewhat fluid throughout our history, it generally refers to some sort of union or contract that signifies kinship, held between two (or more) people that have some sort of intimate connection. We humans have entered this institution of matrimony for a variety of reasons throughout the years, including tribal ties, social status, finances, and procreation.

Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage…

Today, we marry for love, although the cynical among us might argue that people still get married for all those other reasons. Regardless of the reasons people get married these days, a wedding ring is almost always part of the equation in Western culture. Wedding rings have come to be seen as a physical manifestation of the love and commitment shared between two people when they enter a marital union.

The Beginning of the Wedding Ring Tradition

How did a piece of jewelry become such a deeply embedded aspect of matrimony in Western culture? The tradition extends back to ancient Rome, where brides were presented with rings meant to symbolize the marriage. In the 13th century wedding rings became popular in the Christian societies of Western Europe, and in 1477 the Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned the first known diamond engagement ring for his bride Mary of Burgundy. During the Victorian era, it became popular for the betrothed to exchange “regards rings,” which were engagement rings set with precious stones. During this era, some brides also wore thimbles as a symbol of their matrimony.

From Royalty to the Everycouple

Wedding rings became the enduring cultural presence we know today around the turn of the 20th century. Diamond mines were discovered in South Africa in the late 1800s, and the resulting influx of diamonds into the market caused their prices to plummet. This newfound affordability led to the increased popularity of diamonds in engagement rings. With diamond prices so low, average consumers could now realistically consider them.

And Today, No Wedding Goes Without

The desire for engagement rings didn’t really hit a fever pitch, however, until the jewelry industry began aggressively marketing the diamond engagement ring as an absolute necessity for any betrothed couple. By the 1960s, the diamond engagement ring, and the wedding ring (which is the actual ring exchanged at the wedding) by extension, became deeply entrenched in our culture.

So Many Reasons To Love Diamond Rings

It’s easy to see why we love diamond engagement rings so much. Usually set in gold, silver, or platinum bands, diamonds are an enduring symbol that lasts a lifetime and beyond. Diamond wedding rings can be passed from generation to generation, giving them a priceless sentimental value. Of course, there are many different types of diamonds and many different sizes, but for many the diamond value does not lie in these tangible measurements. A diamond’s worth lies in its ability to represent one of the most beautiful traditions we hold as a culture: the commitment between two people who promise to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. That’s why diamonds are so popular, and will continue to be in the years to come.

Madeline Marshall is a stupendously spectacular human being with a degree in history from UC Santa Cruz who now writes short historical pieces for the Internet.

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