In fact, the first diamond engagement ring wasn’t actually seen until 1477 when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria became betrothed to Mary of Burgundy. Up until that point plain metal bands were given instead, and even after that time diamond rings certainly weren’t common.

It was more common to see other forms of betrothal gifts being given at this time, and basic engagement rings weren’t seen in the Western world until the end of the 19th Century. Even then, the giving of diamond engagement rings didn’t become standard until the 1930’s – but those days are long behind us.

Now, the giving of diamond engagement rings is common practice throughout the West, with at least 80% of all proposals having a diamond ring at the heart of it. It isn’t surprising really seeing that diamonds have come to be the symbol of love, affection and devotion, so what could be a better way to show your love than by presenting your soon-to-be fiancee with a stunning diamond ring?

Here at ROX, we understand just how important diamond engagement rings can be. We’ve grown with this tradition and stock a fantastic selection of options for you to choose from, so come to us to find the perfect diamond ring and she won’t be able to say no.

A glittering diamond cluster ring or sparkling trilogy ring is a wonderful symbol of engagement. The way diamond engagement rings of any style rests on that significant fourth finger on the left hand is truly an emblem of love. But how has so much meaning become attached to that particular finger?

To think about love and marriage symbolically is imperative. Think about love and one of the first symbols encountered is… the heart. An ancient western-based belief developed that the fourth finger was directly linked to the heart, thus making it the most meaningful finger in matters of the heart.

An ancient Chinese explanation for the fourth finger rule is this – when you place your palms together and fold in your two middle fingers (keep all of your other fingers touching their counterpart), try to separate the two ring fingers… it can’t be done! This is symbolic of husband and wife being bound together, inseparable through life.

Hand preference seems to be just that – personal preference, be it religious, cultural or practical. Furthermore, and in the spirit of bending tradition, why not indulge the recent fashion for “mengagement” rings (diamond engagement rings for men) – there’s no tradition yet so be as creative as you like!

Choosing the Ring

For a start, the right diamond engagement rings don’t have to be a total surprise. This is something a woman will wear for her lifetime – slipping it on and off to take a shower, retelling the story of how you became engaged while she gently spins the sentimental jewellery on her finger.

Many couples find choosing diamond engagement rings together to be an affirmation of why they’re choosing to marry one another.

The Price of True Love

The question of who pays for this epic diamond jewellery is, in this day and age, one for discussion. The common opinion seems to be that a real gentleman would (at least offer to) foot the bill.

Father Knows Best

The notion of asking parental “permission” is nowadays one of respect rather than authorisation. This tradition finds its historical roots in an accord being reached between father and suitor, but the more modern approach is simply about a future son-in-law displaying good manners. Remember, these people will be family soon so do everything you can to make the right impression!

2. The symbiosis between the meaning of love and the meaning of diamonds is a well documented one. There can’t be any greater show of love than imparting a ring made using the hardest, most coveted substance on earth as a token of indomitable, indestructible, unending love.

3. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Investment, be it financial or emotional, doesn’t usually come cheap. There are always stakes to consider, circumstances to asses, and any number of other potentials to speculate on. Diamonds can be considered somewhat of a bought investment. Be it diamond engagement rings, diamond bracelet, diamond-set designer watch, or any other items of diamond jewellery, the diamond itself will only depreciate in value if damaged.

4. The phrase “timeless” is uttered in soft, breathy tones to describe such fashion idols as the Channel suit, Holly Go-Lightly’s black Dior dress and… diamonds! Never out of fashion, always chic, always desired.

5.  They’re inspirational, with ownership holding formidable esteem and status. Diamonds are rare, desirable, treasured, and rife with meaning and symbology. Everyone aspires to own a diamond!

First of all, make sure you remember that the size of the diamond is not the most important thing. Your beloved will not think less of you because you cannot afford an absolute rock, so work out just how much you can genuinely afford and stick to it. Commission hungry jewellery sales assistants sometimes try and persuade guilty feeling bachelors into buying diamond engagement rings that are far beyond what they can afford, so make sure that you stay within your limit.

When you have made your mind up and chosen a ring which doesn’t require a mortgage, take the time to ensure that it comes with insurance and a warranty. If you have pushed the boat out and purchased more expensive diamond rings then make sure that certification is also included. All diamonds that are equal to or greater than 0.3 carats need to be certified in order to determine the authenticity of the diamond and to state all of its relevant characteristics such as colour, cutting and cloudiness grades.

Some couples regard jewellery as an investment, which is why they go for top-quality diamond jewellery which will appreciate in value over the years. Others are less concerned with the value and choose diamond engagement rings which will simply prove that they are in love. This is one of the reasons why eternity rings are so popular, as they are the perfect symbol of a relationship.

If you are looking for diamond jewellery of any kind, then ROX will be able to help you find the perfect gift. They can supply everything from diamond rings to gents watches, so whether you are buying online, or from their stores, make sure you look at the great range of jewellery available there.

If you are in the area, you can also visit their boutique stores in Glasgow’s famous jewellery treasure trove, the Argyll Arcade. They also have stores in the leading shopping destinations of Braehead, Silverburn and Aberdeen’s Union Square. There you will see for yourself contemporary classics, fashions straight from the catwalk, and individual pieces with an elegance and character all of their own.

The ROX reputation for diamond engagement rings is certainly impressive. Every ROX diamond in their Signature Collection is handpicked for its superior cut, presence and beauty, which means that when you wear it, you know it will stand out.

Choosing diamond jewellery is a subjective thing, but whether you buy online or at one of the retail outlets, you can ask the staff to help you when choosing jewellery. This can come in handy if you are buying, for example, diamond earrings for your wife or girlfriend as a surprise. The helpful staff at ROX will point you in the right direction if you’re not sure exactly what you want. So whatever you are looking for in diamond jewellery, have a look at the fantastic range on the ROX website.

Back in the early days of diamond trading for jewellery, the stones were measured against the weight of carob seeds, which are remarkably uniform in size and weight. One carob seed came to be one carat. There is a finer measurement called ‘point’. One point is one hundredth of a carat, so a half carat diamond is a fifty point diamond.

While size certainly does matter, diamond quality is also important. Clarity and colour will also affect the price and desirability of a given stone. So will the type of cut.

One carat is 0.2g. That doesn’t sound like much, but one carat diamond engagement rings are actually quite good and the central stone in question will probably look quite impressive. Most of the stones used in diamond jewellery are smaller than that. A 2 carat diamond is on the decidedly large side, and a 3 carat diamond is truly outstanding in size. Good quality loose stones of that weight are usually sold for tens of thousands of pounds when cut, or more.

For diamonds, where that internal fire is the main drawcard, cut is obviously of paramount importance. Since the advent of laser cutting equipment, cuts have grown more and more sophisticated. The understanding of the optical physics involved has also grown. New cuts can now be designed and analysed with computer programs. All these factors combined mean that the diamonds used in jewellery are now more spectacular than ever. The jewellers of a hundred years ago would be amazed by today’s diamond engagement rings.

Cuts are divided into families. The most common is the round brilliant style, which is designed to make efficient use of a perfect, flawless diamond crystal. The symmetry and carefully calculated angles of a classic round brilliant do perhaps the best job of bringing out a diamond’s sparkle. It’s the most popular choice for the large, high quality centrepiece diamonds found in jewellery, although there are many more.

Colour is distinct from clarity. While clarity scrutinises a diamond for flaws and interruptions, colour refers to the tint. Any colour of diamond can have a high or a low clarity and a correspondingly high or a low quality. Some of the largest and most valuable diamonds found either loose or in diamond jewellery settings in the world are coloured.

Of the ten greatest diamonds ever valued, most are either blue or white. The exception is the Golden Jubilee Diamond, which is the largest cut diamond in the world at more than 540 carat. That’s more than 100g, or the weight of a generous chocolate bar. The clear golden colour is called ‘fancy yellow brown’. It is worth millions of pounds.

For those considering a jewellery piece or a watch with diamonds, choosing coloured stones may or may not drive the price up. Because they are rarer, large diamonds with high clarity and a particular tint are usually more expensive than their white equivalents, but there is no denying that they can also be truly beautiful stones.

Selecting a diamond colour to suit your loved one not only shows that you care enough to buy diamonds, but also that you’ve put extra thought in to the choice. For example, nothing beats pink diamond engagement rings for a woman who loves that colour.