Since the 15th century when the first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria, this highly valuable gift of love has been the cause of an incurable dilemma for many millions of nervous proposers worldwide. 500 years on, we are still trying to figure out the allure of engagement rings and how they came to be such an iconic symbol of love and marriage. While jewelry stores like Marlow’s Diamonds offer stunning Diamond Engagement Rings that anyone would be happy to be proposed with, we wonder what it is about engagement rings that make us love them so much.
For many romantics, a diamond engagement ring is a symbol of long-lasting love and affection; for others, an engagement ring is a symbol of commitment, offering a sense of security for the couple in their relationship. On the other hand, many couples consider an engagement to be a message to the rest of the world – that they have found their perfect partner and that they belong to only each other. Whatever the reason may be, the giving and receiving of engagement rings have become the norm in most cultures. However, while romance and partnership play an important role in this ritual, the extent to which this tradition has permeated our society may have been influenced by the innovation of the jewellery industry.
Today, couples getting engaged have an almost endless choice of engagement ring styles to choose from and trends have changed a lot over the years. Budgets for engagement rings have gone up and down, and today the average cost of an engagement ring in the UK equates to approximately two months gross salary. As the amount that couples are willing to spend has changed, engagement ring styles have changed with them, to make rings either more affordable or more luxurious.
Leading up to the turn of the 21st century, the largest selling engagement ring by far was the solitaire diamond set ring with only one central diamond. While many more styles have come about since then, these engagement rings are still popular today, and Marlow’s is the one-stop shop for these settings.
In the last decade or so, the budget of engaged couples has shrunk a fair amount and as a result, couples look for rings that offer more and cost less. New styles like the Halo Set Engagement Rings became increasingly more popular as the halo of pavé diamonds can make the mounted central diamond look larger. Shoulder Set Engagement Rings also became a popular trend as the smaller diamonds on the band keep the ring looking simple but elegant and lavish.
There are hundreds of different engagement ring styles to choose from today, which means that modern couples can choose rings that are unique to them and match their budget. If you want an engagement ring that is special to you, Marlow’s has hundreds of styles in stock. Shop online or visit their workshop located in London and Birmingham to see for yourself just how spoilt for choice you are. If you require any guidance, our in-store engagement and wedding ring specialists – Carmen, Marianne, Sara, Sandeep, Alison, Jan, and Kay – can steer you through the maze of designs you have to explore. With our help, you will be able to find the perfect ring to represent your love and commitment, so visit the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter today.
Marlow’s – A UK leader in the supply of GIA Certified Diamond Engagement Rings.
