Episode Summary
Why do we give engagement rings? Why diamonds? And who decided they should cost two months’ salary? In this episode of History on the Margins, we trace the surprising history of engagement rings—from ancient Egypt and Rome to medieval church law, Renaissance nobility, and modern marketing campaigns. What started as a symbol of ownership and contract evolved into one of the most enduring (and expensive) cultural traditions in the world.
We’ll explore:
• The ancient Egyptian belief in the vena amoris—the “vein of love” connecting ring finger to heart.
• Roman practices of giving iron and gold rings as signs of legal bond and ownership.
• How the church and medieval law turned rings into binding symbols of betrothal.
• The first recorded diamond engagement ring in 1477, given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria.
• The Victorian diamond boom, fueled by South African mines and royal fashion.
• De Beers’ 1947 slogan “A Diamond is Forever”—one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history.
• How modern laws, advertising, and even celebrity rings have shaped what we expect today.
We also look at the modern twists: engagement rings for men, same-sex couples, debates over whether rings are conditional gifts, and the influence of celebrity proposals on cultural trends.
Sources & Further Reading
• Brides.com – The History of Engagement Rings
• Baunat – Engagement Ring History That Inspired Our Traditions
• American Gem Society – The History of the Diamond as an Engagement Ring
• Financial Times – Engagement Rings for Men
• InStyle – Grace Kelly’s Engagement Ring
• People – Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring
• Brides.com – Princess Diana’s Sapphire Ring
Enjoying the podcast? Please make sure to Subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend who likes history...or doesn't like history.
For all the socials and podcast links check out our linktree: https://linktr.ee/historyonthemarginspodcast
