When I was a freshman in college, I got told that by the time your junior year comes most of your friends and people you knew from high school will be in a serious relationship, engaged, married or will have a kid. I laughed at that statement but five years later as a senior in college that statement is beyond true. Now more than ever I find myself scrolling through Facebook and I'll notice a name I'm not familiar with, then I'll realize it was an old friend who got married. What I see more of is the engagement post along with the all too familiar picture of the ring. Nine times out of ten that ring picture will caption "He did good" and I couldn't help by wonder what if he did bad? I've heard some girls say they would deny a guy if it was not the right ring. Was it just talk or would they still marry him? Surely it's all talk because a ring shouldn't matter right? That's when I got intrigued by the engagement ring. For me personally, I wouldn't mind a cheap ring because I'd rather put the money towards an awesome honeymoon. What I came to find out though from talking to some girls was that most girls wanted the epic honeymoon in addition to the perfect ring. So that is when I started my adventure into researching on the history of the engagement ring and what I found was very intriguing indeed.

First, I found this video, and this video just gives the basic summary. Check it out (excuse the language).

Now I love College Humor videos and the humor in this video, but I also couldn't believe it was all true. Surely it can't all be true...right? Wrong. It's all true. If we wanted to get really technical, the first diamond ring was given in 1477 by the Archduke Maximillian or Austria to his betrothed Mary of Burgundy according to the American Gem Society. The date regarding when the ring idea hit American soil is arguable. American gem society says 1930's while the article by The Atlantic says 1940's. It's a 10 years difference but it all leads to the same place. That same place is the De Beers campaign "A Diamond is Forever" where they perfectly crafted a diamond into a forever long marriage. Sales skyrocketed according to The Atlantic.

Ever since that campaign, diamond rings have been an important part in the engagement culture but what about the cost? Do guys really spend that much? Oh, you bet they do. I've talked to a few guy friends myself and I will say on average they have all spent over $2,000. However, I did some more digging. Is there really a price rule? If I was going to answer realistically I would have three answers for you. It depends on the girls taste. If you follow the rules from society, then yes there, in fact, is a rule. If you don't care what society says, then no. The BBC did an article and it is at least a months salary and you owe that rule to De Beers as well.

So is a diamond really forever? In my personal opinion, no. Right now when young girls get engaged the diamond ring is everything, but when you're old with your spouse the ring won't matter or be the reason behind the happily ever after. What will be the reason of forever will be how you two worked out struggles and differences and made your marriage last. One thing is for certain and that is the ring does not determine forever only the couple does.

What it all comes down to is the girls taste, the budget you both have and what you both are willing to spend. If the girl wants an expensive ring, go for it. If the girl wants a ring that is cheap, go for it. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what other people think of your ring. As long as the two of you are happy, that is all that matters.