Enhanced Diamonds

Engagement diamonds, while considered “traditional” in Western society, are in actuality a fairly recent trend. Betrothal rings have been a common practice since Roman times, but these were generally simple bands of gold or silver. The addition of diamonds didn’t become common with the general public until the early and middle parts of the 20th century.

The current popularity of engagement diamonds is largely a result of the marketing prowess of corporations. Beginning in the 1930’s, diamond companies began to push the idea that no self-respecting woman would except an engagement ring unless it had a big, beautiful diamond set atop. This heavy-handed marketing campaign resulted in a 50 percent rise in the sale of diamonds within less than a decade.

By the 1960’s, it is estimated that 80 percent of married women in the United States were wearing engagement diamonds. These stones quickly became a sort of status symbol, and the stigma of presenting the woman you want to marry with a tiny, inferior diamond was further taken advantage of by diamond companies. The idea that an engagement ring should cost the equivalent of two to three months salary is a complete construct of the diamond industry.