Sunday, September 18, 2011

Not Only Plain Round Diamonds Any More: the New Eternity Bands

By Galena Avedon


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.

The third C is the Color. Colorless diamonds are most desired because they reflect more light than those with colors present. Note that when jewelers talk about color, they mean color in white diamonds, because rarely colored diamonds are way more expensive than their counterpart white diamonds.

The choice of the diamond to symbolize eternal devotion was engendered by affluent people like Archduke Maximilian during the Renaissance, but the only known diamonds came from India, and the common man didn't have access to such wealth. Metal rings continued to be popular and evolve.

Most likely if they are unwilling to help you out with your questions, they might have something to hide. They might be unable to answer you simply because they themselves do not have assurances as to the nature of their goods. Additionally, the jewelry company may not have educated their sales people on what conflict diamonds are about. In such instances, Amnesty suggests that you go some place else.




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