<P> There is a modern belief that in early colonial New England, where Puritans shunned ornaments and jewels, a thimble substituted for both engagement ring and wedding ring; and some women would remove the tops of the thimble in order to create a ring . Some researchers strongly believe this to be just a myth without basis in reality . </P> <P> During the Age of Enlightenment both the gimmal rings and posie rings were popular, although the latter was more often used as an expression of sentiment than to indicate a formal engagement . </P> <P> In South Africa, diamonds were first found in 1866, although they were not identified as such until 1867 . By 1872, the output of the diamond mines exceeded one million carats per year . As production increased, those of lesser means were able to join in on this movement . However, diamond engagement rings were for a long time seen as the domain of the nobility and aristocracy, and tradition often favoured simpler engagement bands . </P> <P> In the United States, the popularity of diamond engagement rings declined after World War I, even more so after the onset of the Great Depression . </P>

Where do you put the engagement ring in your fingers