The Diamond Tradition

This Is Your Moment
The instant two people decide to marry is one of the most intimate moments of their lives. It marks the moment two people become one forever. A diamond is the perfect symbol of that eternal bond. As a representation of everlasting love, diamonds evoke the romance and magic of traditions that have spanned centuries.

The First Diamond
The diamond acquired its unique status as the ultimate gift of love as far back as the fifteenth century. The tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring as a promise for marriage began in 1477 with Archduke Maximillian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy. At that time, diamonds were looked upon as talismans, or charms that could enhance the love between husband and wife. Even Cupid’s arrows were said to be tipped with diamonds, which had a magic that nothing else could equal. From this time forward, the royal tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring began to be embraced by people around the world, eventually becoming as much of a milestone in one’s life as the engagement itself.

The Brilliance of a Diamond
When diamonds first began to be given as engagement rings, settings were elaborate and did not necessarily showcase the diamond in its best light. It actually wasn’t until the discovery of diamond mines on the African continent in 1870 that diamonds became accessible to a wider public, increasing demand and influencing design. Subsequently, diamond jewelry began to be designed to demonstrate the unique beauty and brilliance of diamonds.

The Mysterious Power of a Diamond
Wearing a diamond ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates far back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vena amoris (the vein of love) ran from that finger directly to the heart. Placing a diamond, with its enduring power, on that finger, was – and still is – seen as the ultimate way to connect love with eternity.