Engagement Ring History-We Are Making It!

Engagement Ring History-We Are Making It! Engagement rings began to showcase stunning gems encased in precious metals and became popular in around the fourteenth or fifteenth century, when the affluent and the royals began to exchange and wear these jewels. However, these items were so expensive that nobody other than the royals and the rich could afford to exchange them. In some countries it was illegal for the general population to own gemstones. During this time Europeans would give an engagement ring called Poesy rings with little love notes inscribed on the inside of the ring. These Poesy or engagement rings were given to a loved one as a pledge of eternal togetherness and signified fidelity and love. In 17th century England it was not unusual to wear the wedding ring on the thumb. In Colonial America items of jewelry were not worn because of their moral worthlessness, so instead of an engagement ring, women were given a more practical thimble as a symbol of love and pledge of eternal togetherness. Most women of the time would remove the bottom of their engagement thimble and fashion it into a ring after the wedding. The only acceptable rings of these times were mourning or remembrance rings, which later evolved into hand enamel pendants or carved cameos used to remember the deceased.