The First Diamond Engagement Ring
An archduke seals a betrothal with a diamond.
In 1477, at the imperial court in Vienna, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gives Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring for their betrothal: the first well-documented diamond engagement ring. Rings had sealed betrothals since Roman times, but the diamond only became expected in the twentieth century, after the 1947 slogan "A diamond is forever".
Open in interactive timeline →Key Numbers
- Maximilian's Diamond Ring
- 1477
- "A Diamond Is Forever"
- 1947
- US Diamond Sales, 1939
- $23 million
- US Diamond Sales, 1979
- $2.1 billion
Verified Facts
- The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to mark an engagement was by Archduke Maximilian of Austria, at the imperial court in Vienna in 1477, on his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy.
- Rings sealed betrothals long before diamonds. In the second century BC a Roman bride-to-be was given two rings: a gold one for public and an iron one for wearing at home.
- Before the Second World War only about 10% of American engagement rings contained a diamond.
- The slogan "A diamond is forever" was introduced in 1947, and US diamond sales rose from $23 million to $2.1 billion between 1939 and 1979.
Myth vs. Reality
Myth:
Reality: Betrothal rings are ancient, but a Roman bride wore gold and iron. The first well-documented diamond engagement ring is from 1477, and before the Second World War only about 10% of American engagement rings had a diamond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who gave the first diamond engagement ring?
The first well-documented one was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, at the imperial court in Vienna.
When did diamond engagement rings become standard?
In the twentieth century. Before the Second World War only about 10% of American engagement rings had a diamond; the slogan "A diamond is forever" arrived in 1947, and US diamond sales grew from $23 million in 1939 to $2.1 billion in 1979.
What engagement rings did the Romans use?
In the second century BC a Roman bride-to-be received two rings: a gold one worn in public and an iron one worn at home.
Sources & Further Reading
Cite This Page
AskHistoryAI. “The First Diamond Engagement Ring.” AskHistoryAI — Interactive Timeline of Everything. Updated 2026-10-08. https://askhistoryai.com/event/sv-diamond-engagement-ring/
Every fact on this page is checked against the published fact ledger and methodology; sources are listed above.