The diamond was called the Venus stone by the ancients who compared its shining beauty with the planet Venus in the evening sky. Like the goddess, who was dedicated to love, the diamond became associated with sweethearts, and its mysterious inner fire was likened to the equally mysterious fires of passion. The Greeks called it "adamas" - eternal or unchanging, a declaration as to the depths of their emotions.

According to history, the diamond as an engagement ring began in 1477 with Maximilian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy. Max asked one of his councilors for advice in proposing to Mary. The councilor told him to give her a diamond. Max took the advice and proposed, slipping a diamond ring on her third finger, left hand. Mary said "Yes" and a tradition was born.