Why aren't Matching Ring Set For Couples more popular?
It's so commonplace to see brides-to be flashing her new engagement ring on Instagram that we hardly wonder why men don't get Simple Matching Bracelets to display as well. But why is this? It turns out that there are many historical as well as social and legal reasons, some interesting and some a bit shady by today's standards--that women wear engagement rings, whereas their husbands do not. In this article, we'll take a look at the history behind engagement rings, and the current trends that influence how couples propose to each other, to find out why there aren't any more "mangagement" rings out there.
Things You Need to Be Educated About
Engagement rings have historically reflected gender-based beliefs that women "belonged" to men once they were engaged. The reason men didn't wear them was because they were more free of society.
In the 1800s, men offered engagement rings as "collateral" in case they ended the engagement and ruined the reputation of the bride-to be.
Engagement rings for men are becoming more popular as gender norms shift. Many choose to wear rings as a symbol of equality in their relationship.
Why women wear engagement rings (and men don't)
Due to outdated gender roles men aren't wearing engagement ring.
Historically, men gave engagement rings to women as a visible indication to others that the woman was "taken" or "belonged" to them. Sometimes, it was literally (in many societies, women were seen as a subordinate position to men). Men were not considered to be commodities, therefore they didn't require engagement rings to signify their betrothal. This custom has lasted for many centuries.
The wedding ring was also used as a collateral in the event that the groom was not able to fulfill his vow to marry the bride. This could have ruined her reputation as well as her chances of ever getting married again.
The Romans were among the first people to present rings to their brides-to-be as a way of indicating they were "spoken for" or "off the market" (terms that still get employed today in a metaphorical sense).
In the early 20th century women wore engagement rings to serve as "insurance."
In the early 1900s, a law in America codified the idea that women could keep the ring if her husband to be broke the contract. The "Breach of Promise to Marry" law of 1945 allowed women to sue men who "broke their vows" and retain the costly diamond ring for compensation. The law was never officially struck down, however most jurisdictions in the US today have either banned from enforcing it in most circumstances.
This law could be seen as a good thing but the reasoning behind it is rooted firmly in misogyny. At the time women were required to be virgins on their wedding day, however being engaged allowed couples to engage in premarital sex (as an unspoken exception to the rule). If the man was unable to keep the engagement, the woman was seen by society as unsuitable to marry.
Engagement rings were not a favorite among men in the era of the '60s, as women were not required to have "collateral". Men could get married later, regardless of whether they had been engaged or if they'd had sex in the past.
Rings for women are a sought-after present due to the slogan "A diamond lasts forever".
De Beers used this slogan in 1947 to promote diamonds and "foreverness" marriage. They also opened several new mines and incorporated celebrities in their advertisements which made diamonds more affordable and appealing to Americans. Men began to opt for engagement rings with diamonds as a way to prove that they were serious about "forever".
De Beers' marketing success plus the legal and social attitudes towards engagement during the time led to the classic diamond ring that people envision when they think of engagement rings.
De Beers advertised diamond rings for men, but the idea was never really popular.
De Beers didn't come up with diamond engagement rings. Archduke Maximillian the archduke of Austria established the trend of European nobility by ordering one for Mary of Burgundy.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles for Men
Classic bands
A simple elegant silver or gold band with no stones or ornaments gives an elegant, timeless design. They are timeless and look similar to wedding bands for men of all kinds. The bands are available in a variety of metals, sizes and colors.
Simple bands may have an inscribed inside, or an inscribed stone or small stone on the outside, or one flat, rectangular cut side to add visual interest (similarly as a signet or a ring).
Minimalist designs
Simple designs are great for those who don't want to get bogged down. Many minimalist rings come with the appearance of a metal band, which has only a small square or rectangular-cut gemstone (usually a stone). The stone is typically embedded in the band, instead of being supported by prongs.
Some designs don't have stones, but use simple, clean lines and patterns to create visual interest around the band.
Statement rings
Who says an engagement ring should be a subtle one? Statement jewelry can be made out of any metal band in any color, thickness or style, depending on the preferences of the wearer. Instead of the traditional diamonds, these rings can also be adorned with colorful stones like sapphires, rubies, emeralds and more (some even incorporate multiple colors, cuts, and kinds of gems).