Italian Diamond Fashion Engagement Party Ring 80

Italian Diamond Fashion Engagement Party Ring.

By Farzana Aamir.

The Roman Empire's iron engagement ring tradition

The tradition of engagement rings began in ancient Roman wedding culture but had nothing to do with either bridal fashion or love; the groom gave a ring to his bride-to-be as a public mark that a contract of engagement had been made between the two families.

Once given, the promise to marry became legally binding and engagement traditions meant that only death was an acceptable reason for not continuing to marriage.  For that reason the ring was a very plain, undecorated band made not of gold but of iron - a symbol of the lasting and unbreakable contract.

It was also a public sign that the woman was about to pass from the ownership of one man - her father - to another - her husband, and for that reason men did not wear any form of engagement or wedding band.

How does that translate into modern Italian culture traditions? Bridegrooms in Italy often carry a small piece of iron in their pocket to symbolise the strength of the couple's commitment to each other.

In other countries the bride is given a horseshoe which, although traditionally signifying good luck, was also an iron symbol of strength.  These days it tends to be made of card.

Engagement ring tradition :  from iron to gold