Engagement rings aren’t just any gorgeous piece of jewellery. They symbolise commitment, love, and eternity, infused with your culture and traditions.
While the custom of exchanging engagement rings goes back to ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, different cultures added their own ideas and created unique traditions.
So, let’s learn how each culture has influenced this symbol of love!
European Influence on Engagement Rings
In Europe, some countries have a tradition of wearing engagement rings on their left hand while others wear them on the right. In the Netherlands and Germany, the ring is worn on the left hand and switched to the right on the wedding day.
Both partners exchange engagement rings in Scandinavian cultures (Norway and Sweden) to signify equality. But only the lady gets an engagement ring in Ireland and the UK.
Regarding designs, couples in France prefer more minimalist and elegant designs than others.
However, one common factor throughout Europe is their preference for diamond engagement rings. Diamonds became popular in the 20th century “A Diamond is Forever” campaign by De Beers Group.
Australian Influence on Engagement Rings
Before European colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders possessed different commitment customs that didn’t involve engagement rings. Instead, they used elements connected to their heritage.
British Colonies’ ancient Roman beliefs influenced Australia’s engagement ring customs. In the 19th century, they discovered gold mines, and the Gold Rush Era began. At this time, gold engagement rings became popular.
Soon after, diamond engagement rings became trendy when diamonds were found in South Africa.
Starting in the 20th century, Australia’s engagement ring customs became more elaborated, influenced by global trends and multiculturism.
Currently, different engagement ring trends are custom designs, coloured gemstones besides diamonds, vintage and antique designs, mixed metals, minimalist designs, and ethical choices.
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Western Influence on Engagement Rings
In the West, countries like the US, engagement rings denote love, lifetime commitment, and marriage promises.
Diamond engagement rings became the popular standard with the De Beers 1947 campaign. The business compared the forever commitment to love with diamonds’ timelessness.
However, currently, the engagement ring style is completely influenced by personal taste, trends, and stone and setting symbolisms.
Solitaire diamond rings are still the most popular. However, Australians have lowered their budget on rings. While it was around $5900 in 2019, a 2020 study showed the average engagement ring shopper invests $5500 on rings.
African Influence on Engagement Rings
While engagement rings were introduced to Africa during colonisation, Africans have infused a personal twist to their customs. Their rings feature unique designs, including African patterns, symbols, and materials.
For instance, in South Africa, the local couples go gaga over tanzanite (a stone with blue and violet shades) because of its cultural symbolism. It implies a blessing to attract positivity and healing in couples.
Couples also invest more in gold engagement rings, as they illustrate status and wealth in their culture.
Asian Influence on Engagement Rings
Since Asia is full of different cultures, engagement rings have a different story in each country.
For instance, Japan is all about being modest and simple. Similarly, they choose simple and subtle ring designs. While they get diamond rings, they avoid anything too flashy or big.
They incorporate their “mottainai” (regret over wastefulness) concept by investing in small but high-quality diamonds.
In China, jade depicts prosperity, longevity, health, wealth, balance, harmony, and protection. So, couples either incorporate jade in engagement rings or add a jade ring along with the engagement ring.
While engagements are completely new to the Indian culture, modern couples are embracing the Western culture a lot. They generally get gold engagement rings as the auspicious metal symbolises prosperity. Besides diamonds, they may also use emeralds and sapphires on the ring, depending on astrological beliefs.
Middle Eastern Influence on Engagement Rings
In the Middle East, the culture believes in more lavish choices. So, their engagement rings are adorned with heavy and intrinsic designs on gold, which signifies purity and prosperity. They incorporate large diamonds and rubies on their rings.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, besides engagement rings, the groom also showers the bride with other extravagant jewellery sets.
Conclusion
With the cultures of each land, people have embraced the beauty of engagement rings in unique ways. However, in the end, it always stays the perfect expression of infinite love forever and more!
