Rings have been a staple fashion accessory for as long as anyone could remember. This piece of jewelry can be seen in different paintings and artworks which means it has been around for thousands of years.
However, rings before aren’t always as glamorous as the diamond rings we know today. Back then, our ancestors made jewelry out of bones, stones, shells, and feathers which are very different from the materials that we use in recent times.
As a matter of fact, diamonds, being the most remarkable gemstone for rings, weren’t even introduced to the market until the 1300s. This is because the equipment used for mining wasn’t present during that era. In short, rings and other jewelry were with the human race as it evolved.
Although there are huge differences between the ancient and current rings we have today, there are still characteristics that never change. Rings, in any given time period, are always so fancy that they come in various shapes and sizes. It is also used to commemorate important events in one’s life.
Let’s find out more about them.
The History of Rings: How Rings Were Used in the Past
Rings in as a Sign of Power in Ancient Times
Rings have been around, long before humans learned how to work with metals. As stated earlier, prehistoric rings are made with invaluable materials. But how were we able to know that today? Well, it’s all thanks to the beauty of archaeology.
Rings were discovered in burials and ancient graves. It is made from different types of materials, usually from what is abundant in the civilization’s area. It was also determined that every culture has different perceptions of rings, including the symbolization of power and betrothal.
Engagement Rings as Proof of Ownership
Today, engagement rings have become a symbol of love and commitment between lovers. However, the symbolism of engagement rings isn’t always as glamorous. Back then it was more of a sign of a business contract.
It is believed that engagement rings were used dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. It has been established that Egyptian women were the first to use engagement rings made from hemp to signify that they are already “owned”. During this era, women wore rings to affirm their obedience to a man.
Later on, Ancient History Roman culture adopted the concept of engagement rings as symbols of ownership. However, the materials they used for them are more durable as it was found to be made of ivory, copper, and iron. Regardless of the material, it is agreed that the concept is not that romantic.
Engagement and Wedding Rings as Symbols of Love
Engagement rings were only given the proper recognition when Pope Nicholas I announced that they should be a symbol of a man’s intent to marry. During that time in the 850s, gold was the most popular material in connection to the discovery of gold betrothal rings in Pompeii in 79 CE.
The Pope’s words forced men to come up with unique ideas leading to the first-ever diamond engagement ring recorded in history.
It was when Archduke Maximilian of Austria was so smitten by Mary of Burgundy that he decided to propose using a diamond engagement ring. This ring is customized using long and narrow pieces of diamonds that are mounted to the shape of a letter “M”, for her initials. Since then, the evolution of diamond proposal rings started, making its way to the fashion world.
The Development of Rings in the Fashion World
It has been long since rings were seen as mere symbols of ownership or betrothal. In today’s words, rings are heavily used in the fashion industry as accessories and statement pieces.
When metals are discovered by humans, the power of goldsmiths to create varieties of pieces of jewelry is boundless. However, there were limitations on how one can wear jewelry, more specifically, it was used as a status symbol among the middle and higher classes.
Diamonds, gemstones, and gold can only be used by aristocrats while slaves are only permitted to wear jewelry made from iron. However, these regulations eventually vanished, leading to the accessories we know today.
Rings, and jewelry in general, have gotten so big in the fashion world since then. Now, it amasses a total revenue of almost 270 billion dollars in revenue. The huge amount can be associated with the wide variety of options the industry provides.
Rings in the Fashion Industry Come in Different Shapes and Sizes
To cater to everyone’s needs, the rings we have today come in various sizes. There are ring bands that are also adjustable to fit anyone that wears them better.
Ring shapes, however, are hard to alter, especially if the shape of the ring is most prominent because of the stone it holds. For instance, lab created diamond rings have a lot of varieties and designs you can choose from. There are round diamond solitaire rings, while there are also ones that are pear-shaped.
The Birth of Lab-Grown Diamonds as We Look for Alternatives
Diamonds are the leading gemstones in the fashion world and they can be seen in any jewelry. There are diamond tennis bracelets, diamond stud earrings, and diamond pendants, all aside from the popular diamond engagement rings and wedding day diamonds.
Since the demand for it is high, manufacturers opt to meddle with technology, giving way to the birth of lab-grown diamonds. Lab-created diamonds are created in the lab under controlled conditions that mimic the process of Earth’s formation in a natural setting.
The seedlings used in the process of making lab-grown diamonds are real, thus, the end product is also authentic. The only difference you can find, really, is the origin they came from. It has the same physical and chemical properties as any other diamond, which makes lab-grown diamonds a viable alternative to mined diamonds.
What’s more, lab-grown diamonds are relatively cheaper than naturally-mined diamonds. So, if you’re looking to impress your girl without breaking the bank, the former is your best bet.
Conclusion
Rings weren’t always part of the fashion world. It has been highly associated with ownership and marriage in the past. However, as the evolution of rings started, they somehow made their way into the fashion world, allowing everyone to enjoy their beauty.
Now, we can see rings used as essential accessories that could highly influence the outcome of one’s overall look. Safe to say that we can only expect more from it in the coming years.
