A Sparkling Tradition; The History of Engagement Rings.

The idea of giving a ring to show love has been around for thousands of years. In Ancient Egypt, couples would exchange rings made of braided reeds or leather. They believed the circle shape stood for forever, and the ring was worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, where they thought a special vein led straight to the heart.

Then, if you skip forward in time a bit, Engagement rings changed forever in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. This was the first time a diamond was used for an engagement—and it quickly became a trend among royals and the wealthy. Still, diamonds didn’t become popular for most people until much later.

In the 1940s, a clever advert changed everything. The now famous line “A Diamond is Forever” was created by the De Beers diamond company. It wasn’t just catchy—it was powerful. It suggested that love, like a diamond, should last forever. The advert linked diamonds with romance and commitment in people’s minds. After World War II, when life was starting to feel more hopeful again, this message really struck a chord. By the 1950s, giving a diamond ring when proposing had become the new normal, especially in the UK and the USA. It was no longer just for the wealthy—more and more people wanted to give (or receive!) that sparkling symbol of love. Diamonds are still by far the most popular choice for an engagement ring.

Today, engagement rings come in all shapes, sizes, and colours. From vintage styles to sleek modern designs, there’s something for everyone. At Almagrove Jewellers in Southampton, we celebrate this wonderful tradition with a collection of new, pre-loved and custom designed rings—each with its own story. It's our absolute pleasure to be part of your engagement choices.

Explore our beautiful collection of engagement rings on our website, or visit us at Almagrove Jewellers in Southampton to try them on and find your perfect match.