The diamond is the hardest and most durable mineral substance known to man; its name derives from the Greek adamas, which translates roughly as ‘unalterable’ or ‘unbreakable’. Small wonder that diamonds have become a symbol of lifelong commitment, given as a token of that commitment in the form of engagement rings.
Diamond rings are hardly an ancient tradition; the first recorded instance of such a gift was in 1477 when the Archduke of Hamburg had a diamond ring commissioned for Mary of Burgundy.
Until De Beers’s vast diamond monopoly came into existence, diamonds were mostly restricted to royalty and the wealthy classes. It was only in the 20th century that the slogans “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and “A Diamond is Forever” fired the imagination of the Western world and a diamond became the de rigueur symbol of esteem (and financial success) that it is today.
Nowadays diamonds can be purchased in every color, cut and setting imaginable. If you are shopping for a diamond engagement ring, be aware that aside from the sentimental value, diamonds differ greatly in commercial value.
Prices are based mainly on the number of carats and the clarity of the stone, and of course the designer of the ring and the material used for a setting. It used to be that the standard for cost to the purchaser was about one month’s salary, but that has gone out the window and now a diamond ring can cost anywhere from less than 100 pounds to hundreds of thousands of them.
When contemplating the purchase of a diamond ring for your intended, you should consider not only the cost, but also the recipient herself. A ring that’s meant to be ‘forever’ should be an adornment that fits the lifestyle and personality of the wearer; do your homework before you make your purchase.
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