Diamond Engagement Rings
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Designs of engagement rings have varied greatly over the years. Contemporary fashions for ring materials are a gold, platinum, silver or, rarely, titanium band mounting at least one diamond. Recently, three-stone diamond engagement rings have become popular, in contrast to the more traditional solitary diamond.
Although the establishment of the diamond engagement ring as a standard in Western culture has been attributed to one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history, by the world's leading diamond producer de Beers, in the 1940s, they were already popular and diamond engagement rings were featured in many novels from the turn of the 20th century and earlier.
An engagement ring is often significantly expensive and acts as a visible demonstration of a person's commitment to their betrothed. The rationale for using a diamond is that it is the most enduring, beautiful and expensive gem. However, some people prefer different gems or semi-precious stones such as sapphires, star sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Pearls and opals are rare, because these are soft stones.
In some European countries such as Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, engagement rings are usually plain gold bands without a gem. In others such as France, engagement rings usually mount a colored gem rather than a diamond.
Gold and platinum are recommended by many jewelers, because of their inherently higher value and because these metals are more durable than silver. Often a gold or silver ring will employ a platinum setting as it provides better protection for the stone.