In 1477 the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring. He married her the following day. Little did he know his diamond ring tradition would be wildly popular around the globe centuries later.
Maximilian's gesture may be the first recorded diamond given for betrothal, but the exchange of wedding rings dates back much further. The ancient Romans gave each other iron bands to signify marriage. Iron changed to gold in the second century AD. Couples in the Roman Empire were the first to place betrothal, or 'truth' rings on the fourth finger of the left hand; believing that a vein in that finger, the 'vena amoris', runs directly to the heart.
But before you ever purchase your very first diamond jewelry, you should know the 4 C's of diamond purchasing. These terms are normally reserved for buyers who are going to purchase diamond in bulk, but it also pays to know what our diamonds are worth, too. These 4 C's are Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight.
The last one is Carat Weight, or the actual size of the diamond, measured in carats (0.2 grams). Large diamonds are rare, so the larger the diamond, the more expensive it is.
Then there's Clarity, or the presence (or absence) of blemishes within the stone. Of course, the less blemishes there are in the diamond, then the better. These blemishes and inclusions may mean air bubbles, cracks, or other minerals located within the stone. Perfectly clear diamonds are very rare, so expect that they are very expensive, too.
Maximilian's gesture may be the first recorded diamond given for betrothal, but the exchange of wedding rings dates back much further. The ancient Romans gave each other iron bands to signify marriage. Iron changed to gold in the second century AD. Couples in the Roman Empire were the first to place betrothal, or 'truth' rings on the fourth finger of the left hand; believing that a vein in that finger, the 'vena amoris', runs directly to the heart.
But before you ever purchase your very first diamond jewelry, you should know the 4 C's of diamond purchasing. These terms are normally reserved for buyers who are going to purchase diamond in bulk, but it also pays to know what our diamonds are worth, too. These 4 C's are Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight.
The last one is Carat Weight, or the actual size of the diamond, measured in carats (0.2 grams). Large diamonds are rare, so the larger the diamond, the more expensive it is.
Then there's Clarity, or the presence (or absence) of blemishes within the stone. Of course, the less blemishes there are in the diamond, then the better. These blemishes and inclusions may mean air bubbles, cracks, or other minerals located within the stone. Perfectly clear diamonds are very rare, so expect that they are very expensive, too.
About the Author:
Learn about eternity band engagement ring & more at Eternity Rings and Bands, the princess cut eternity band experts!. Free reprint available from: Not Just For Plain Round Diamonds Anymore: the Modern Eternity Rings.
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