Are you considering proposing to the love of your life and celebrating your commitment to each other? If so, you’ve no doubt already started looking for the perfect engagement ring? Diamond engagement rings are by far the most popular choice, but not just because it’s price. Its value lies in its tradition, symbolism and other aspects that overshadow even the largest price tag.
Here are some interesting engagement ring facts that will help you understand just how valuable this small piece of jewelry is.
The Tradition Began in Ancient Egypt
An engagement ring is tied to the Ancient Egyptian culture, where the tradition closely resembling today’s gifting of an engagement ring first originated. The conclusion is based on archeological evidence that the ring symbolized the endless love between a man and a woman. Egyptians used to wear their rings on their left hand, believing the left ring finger was directly connected to the heart through a vein. That’s where the Latin term vena amoris (vein of love) originated. The first evidence of an engagement ring being offered during a proposal was in the 15th century when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy.
The Most Popular Ring Types
When it comes to the diamond cut, the round cut is by far the most popular one. In fact, as much as 75% of all diamonds ever sold feature the round cut. It owes its popularity to its immense brilliance. However, this is also the most expensive cut as much of the diamond is wasted in the cutting process.
The round cut is closely followed by the princess cut. This cut first appeared in the 80’s and has increased in popularity since. The princess cut is very brilliant but not as expensive as the round cut diamonds as a significantly lower percentage of the diamond is lost in the cutting process.
As far as the metals are concerned, platinum and white gold still reign supreme. While a platinum ring is more expensive on the initial purchase, a white gold ring has to be treated once every two to three years to prevent it from losing its shine.
The Average Price of a Ring
An average 1.0-carat diamond ring costs approximately $5,500 according to researchers at the Emory University. However, in reality, 75% of men and 83% of women believe you should pay as much as $5,000 on an engagement ring according to a survey conducted by Brilliant Earth. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel pressured by the national average spending, as the number is affected by larger cities where the average size of a diamond is larger.
An average luxury engagement ring costs $13,500, however, the number of those who spend more than $8,000 on an engagement ring amounts to 12% of total sales.
Where Do Couples Buy Engagement Rings
Even though most commerce nowadays has moved online, when it comes to jewelry traditional brick and mortar stores are by far the most popular choice. Online jewelry market only accounts for a small percentage of total sales, around 5% to be precise. Apart from the obvious benefit of being able to see the often expensive pieces up close, the staff at traditional jewelry stores can help customers choose the right engagement ring and offer expert advice. With many jewelry stores opening every month, here’s a useful article on how to pick the right one to do business with: https://www.leohamel.com/engagement/ring/store/elcajon
The Most Popular Months to Get Engaged
While you’d expect February to be the month when the largest percent of diamond engagement rings pops up before unsuspecting future brides, in fact, December is by far the most popular month to get engaged than any other month of the year. In fact, the percent of couples who get engaged in December is the double of that in February.
If you’re looking for the finest engagement rings selection in San Diego, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store in San Diego at
1851 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
619-299-1500
