Today, wedding rings are considered a must in almost all cultures across the globe. When a couple is about to tie the knot, rings are exchanged by both parties to signify their commitment to each other. Those rings are then worn at all times and often indicate who is single and who is committed. But wedding/engagement rings weren’t always a thing. There was a time when all that was needed to confirm a marriage was a verbal exchange of vows. It is widely believed, however, that in ancient Egypt lovers would wear rings made out of woven reed and leather to declare the love they felt for each other. Later on, the Greeks and Romans started sporting signet rings to show they were engaged to be married.

The history of the evolution of wedding rings not only includes how the tradition was formed; it also looks at the materials and forms of the rings exchanged over time. For instance, during the Middle Ages, the rings partners gave to each other had an image of Jesus Christ. Sometime in the 1100s, people exchanged Irish rings known as the ‘Claddagh.’ This type of ring had a special design that showed a heart in between two clasping hands. In the 15th century, people wore ‘Posy’ rings. These rings were special because they had a verse or a poem inscribed on them.

Yes, people didn’t always wear diamond rings, and the stone itself really had nothing to do with the concept of marriage and commitment. The craze of exchanging diamond rings started in 1947 because of a marketing gimmick by De Beers. This was a corporation known for mining diamonds. To increase their sales, they started marketing diamonds as something that was needed in a marriage. This was the time when the phrase “diamonds are forever” was launched.

Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/national-wedding-ring-day/