In her new book titled The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance, author and historian Marion Fasel explores the true narrative behind the origin of one of the most universally accepted symbols of love and marriage.
Within the 128 illustrated pages, Fasel exposes several misconceptions, such as the notion that diamond engagement rings only became popular after the “A Diamond Is Forever” DeBeers advertising campaign launched in 1947 or that the first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
"Researching the true narrative involved a deep dive into the archives of museums and libraries in Europe and New York, where I found diamond engagement rings depicted in Renaissance masterpieces and documented in original manuscripts," she noted. "Experts also guided me to historic examples of rings, beginning with the first styles featuring point-cut diamonds."
Fasel added that bringing this story to light has been one of the most fascinating experiences of her career.
The book's cover art reflects the long history of engagement rings. There is a Renaissance-period design with the Latin inscription “I am a token of love,” a 1920 Tiffany setting and an early Asscher cut diamond (circa 1915) in an ornate platinum ring. Also featured is a mid-20th century emerald-cut diamond ring, contemporary cushion-cut diamond and gold ring, and an oval diamond in a platinum design.
Fasel reviews the engagement ring selections of luminaries from the past and present. They include Britain’s Queen Charlotte, poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Grace Kelly, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lawrence and Blake Lively.
The author includes style guides, which review the vocabulary of diamonds and break down the technical parts of a ring. Her "ring timeline" chronicles diamond-cutting techniques and trends through the ages.
“Marion’s been an invaluable contributor to Only Natural Diamonds since its inception, and we couldn’t be more excited to join forces in celebration of this extraordinary new book," stated the website's Editor-in-Chief Sam Broekema. "Her expertise and passion shine through on every page, making this volume on the brilliant, yet not fully told, history of natural diamond engagement rings — and the eclectic styles and stories that reflected significant cultural moments over time — a must-read.”
Fasel is the founder of the online fine jewelry magazine, The Adventurine. Her new hardcover book, published by The Adventurine Limited Editions in partnership with Only Natural Diamonds, is available at naturaldiamonds.com, amazon.com and independent bookstores across the US.
Credit: Cover image courtesy of Only Natural Diamonds.