Diamond Engagement Rings & The Church


History of the Engagement Ring (cont.)

Tertullian's effect on the church can be seen by the fact that by 860 AD, the Church, under Pope Nicolas I, held celebrations called 'espousals' or 'betrothals', signifying the intent of marriage. On these occasions, the man would place a ring on the woman's hand. It was stipulated that the ring would be made of gold. This may have been meant to indicate the solvent financial status of the groom to be.

The introduction of the engagement ring as we know it today can be traced to the Fourth Lateran Council, presided over by Pope Innocent III in 1215. At this time, it was determined that there should be a fairly long waiting period between betrothal and marriage. The ring was a symbol of the seriousness of the promise to wed, and in fact, put all would-be suitors on notice that this particular woman was spoken for.

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