12-12-2011, 01:18 PM
One of the most common theories is that the first engagement ring was given as a down-payment of sorts. This gift was the groom's way of showing his commitment to financially take care of his future wife. Prior to the nineteenth century, women could not own property and it was common for them to collect pieces of jewelry as an investment for the future. If need be, a woman could sell her jewelry in bad times.
