Engagement rings may seem like a fairly new trend that’s prominent only in Western cultures, and it’s no secret that many people see this particular type of custom jewelry as superfluous and flashy. But believe it or not, engagement rings actually have a pretty long history that extends all the way back to ancient times. Don’t believe it? Take a look…

Ancient Egypt and Rome: Anthropologists and archaeologists often believe that the practice of giving a ring in exchange for a marriage promise originated during this time. While some people take a pessimistic approach (e.g., rings allowed men to show ownership over women), plenty of others note that ancient people developed the practice of placing custom engagement rings on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein ran from that finger straight to the heart.

1400s: Historians believe that the tradition of giving yellow and white gold engagement rings with diamond accents began during this time period when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with one of these rings.

1800s: This period is called the “Victorian Era” because of Queen Victoria’s reign in England; the types of custom jewelry that flourished during this time tended to be ultra-romantic, with engravings like hearts and flowers, to symbolize the actual romantic relationship Queen Victoria had with her husband (unlike pretty much every other historical ruler).

1940s: This was a particularly interesting time for American jewelry, because the World Wars caused a rise in more affordable engagement rings than before. Because hard metals were used for war purposes, soft metals were available for use in jewelry — causing gold engagement rings and wedding bands to become even more popular.

Today: These days, couples are focusing less on price and more on personalization when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands. Whether couples prefer a traditional diamond, or they want to look for a brightly-colored gemstone; whether they’re interested in hardy titanium wedding bands or prefer to go with a classic gold look — there are certainly plenty of choices available! Research more like this.