In November 2010, Prince William presented the former Kate Middleton with Princess Diana’s engagement ring while the two were on safari in Africa. Like anything Duchess Catherine touches, the ring, a 12-carat sapphire center stone, surrounded by 14 diamonds, and set in white gold, ignited a demand for engagement rings with colorful stones, and other non-traditional styles. Many brides are now opting for pearls, sapphires in a variety of colors, birthstones, or even stones taken from a piece of family jewelry, for their engagement rings. However, despite Kate Middleton’s influence, diamonds still reign supreme. The custom of presenting one's intended with an engagement ring dates back to Roman times. Roman women were presented with an iron ring, which was worn while performing household chores, and a gold ring, worn in public. During the Dark Ages, Christians began wearing wedding rings after Pope Innocent III decreed that marriages should not be arranged or performed in secret. The first known diamond engagement ring was presented to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477. However, the practice was only popular among nobility and the wealthy through the Victorian Era. Those of more humble means wore simple wedding bands, and Puritans used the bottoms of thimbles to signify that they were married. It was not until the late 1930s that a famous advertising campaign established diamonds as the stone of choice, if not the only choice, for engagement rings. Non-traditional stones, such as emeralds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires, have become a popular choice among couples concerned with cost. Presently, many young couples feel strapped by student loan debt, and do not feel comfortable starting their married life down a few thousand dollars. Lab created stones are another affordable option for those concerned with cost. For some couples, aesthetics drive the decision to select a non-traditional engagement ring. Some women prefer the look of pearls, amethysts, or other colored stones, and want to be heavily involved in the processing designing their ring. Although non-traditional rings are having their day, the majority of brides still opt for diamonds. The most popular choice is a one-carat round or princess-cut solitaire set in white gold. Jewelry designers are constantly coming up with new settings in which to mount your rock so that even a traditional stone can be displayed in a modern way. Recently, the halo setting, which makes the center stone appear larger, has been popular. Style-watchers believe that the next big trend in engagement ring design is the cluster setting, which utilizes a number of small diamonds arranged in a cluster to create the impression of one large stone. The elegant three stone setting can be customized with stones of different shapes and sizes, and even incorporate colored stones, or stones from heirloom jewelry. Finally, sentimental customers or those with budgetary concerns have turned to rings that have been in their family for many years. In fact, one diamond salesman has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of inquiries about old diamonds. Make her feel special when you ask the question. Learn more about wedding engagement diamonds Kansas City at: http://www.tivol.com
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