Why aren't Couple Promise Rings more common?
We're so accustomed to seeing a bride-to be flaunting her engagement ring over Instagram, we hardly notice that men don't own a ring of their own to show off. Why do you think this is? There are a myriad of historical, cultural and even legal reasons for women to wear Couples Braclets but their fiances do not. Some of these are fascinating and others can be quite challenging in the current world of standards. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of engagement rings, and the current trends affecting the way couples propose to each in order to discover why there aren't any more "mangagement" rings on the market.
Things You Should Know
In the past, engagement rings were a symbol of sexist beliefs that women "belonged" to men after they were engaged. Men didn't wear them because they were more free members of society.
In the 1800s, men offered engagement rings as "collateral" in the event that they broke off the engagement and damaged their bride-to-be's reputation.
As gender norms shift men's engagement rings are becoming more sought-after. Men often wear them to show their equality in the context of a relationship.
Why women wear engagement rings (and men don't)
Men don't wear engagement rings because of outdated gender roles.
Historically, men gave engagement rings to women as a sign to others that the woman was "taken" or "belonged" to them, sometimes literally (in many societies, women were seen as subservient to men). Men were not viewed as commodities, so they didn't require engagement rings to signify their marriage. This tradition has been in place for centuries.
The rings also served as a security measure in the event that the bride-to-be's husband decided to back out of his vow to marry the bride, as this would damage her reputation and increase the chances of getting married in the future.
The Romans were among the first to give rings to their brides-to-be to signify that they had been "spoken for" or "off the market" (terms which are still employed today in a metaphorical sense).
Rings for engagement were a popular choice among women in the early 20th century as "insurance."
In the early 1900s, in America, the idea of keeping the ring as collateral in case the future husband broke off things was codified in law. The "Breach of Promise to Marry" Law of 1945 allowed women who "broke the contract" to sue their husbands and keep an expensive diamond ring as compensation. The law was never officially struck down, but most states in the US currently have enacted laws that prohibit it or don't apply it in all circumstances.
This law might seem like something positive however, its logic is rooted in misogyny. Therefore, couples were allowed to have premarital sexual relations if they were engaged. If the man ended the engagement, the woman was then seen as unfit to marry.
Engagement rings were not popular among males at the time, because women did not need "collateral". Men could get married later, regardless of whether they'd been engaged or if they'd been sexually active in the past.
The slogan "A diamond is eternal" cemented rings as gifts to women.
De Beers used this slogan in 1947 to connect diamonds and "foreverness" marriage. Diamonds began to become more popular and accessible to Americans when they began to open new mines, featured movie stars and advertised. Men began to choose engagement rings with diamonds in order to show that they were committed to the "forever" part (and that they would not end the engagement and be sued).
De Beers' success in marketing, as well as the social and legal attitudes towards engagement at the time has led to the traditional engagement ring that a lot of people picture when they think of engagement rings.
Ironically, De Beers did run ads advertising diamond rings for guys too however the idea didn't really take off.
De Beers helped make diamond engagement rings a hit, but they didn't invent them. Archduke Maximillian the Austrian archduke was the first to introduce the trend in European nobility when he ordered one for Mary of Burgundy.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles for Men
Classic bands
A simple, sleek gold or silver band without any decorations or stones is a timeless, yet modern look. They are timeless and look just like many men's wedding bands. Bands come in a range of colors, metals and thicknesses, to match the wearer's taste.
Simple bands can be adorned with an inscribed on the inside, an inscription or a small stone on the outside or a flat, rectangular-cut side to create visual interest (similarly as a signet or a ring).
Minimalist designs
Simple designs are great for those who don't want to fuss. Lots of minimalist rings feature a metal band that has one small square or rectangular-cut stone (usually a diamond) which is typically encased in the band (rather than supported by prongs).
Some designs do not feature stones, but they use clean, simple lines and patterns to create interest around the band.
Statement rings
Who says that a man's engagement rings have to be delicate? The most striking, eye-catching jewelry can be adorned with any type of metal band in any color or thickness depending on the wearer's taste. These rings feature more colorful stones, including sapphires and rubies. Some even blend various cuts, colors and kinds of gems.