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Types Of Rings

Learning about the different types of rings

Rings are perhaps the most powerful, and symbolic item of jewellery

The wearing of Finger rings can be traced back to the third millennium, and had widespread use in the Ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Rings have been used to show power, wealth and identity, to communicate love and to signify sorrow, the very fact that they are so visible when worn on the finger, means they are always a statement

So, what are the many types of ring and their history? Some ring types have historical names others based on their design or their purpose

Abstract design rings

Hailing from the 1960’s to 1970’s many were revolutionary in their design with unusual forms and gems set randomly

Bombe ring

Boule or Bombe rings, meaning ball, often pave set with gem stones or a gold sphere with randomly set stones, a style favoured in the 1950’s

Cluster Rings

Cluster ring, generally a principle stone with small stones, or a group of smaller stones, cluster rings have been made for over a century and were particularly popular in the 1980’s

Cocktail rings

Cocktail rings so called because they were first worn at cocktail parties in the 1930’s. The cocktail ring often has a large centre stone and is high domed meaning it can’t be worn under a glove. These exuberant rings are worn for the joy of it, and to be noticed.

Crossover Rings

Cross over rings, a ring with a setting of two stones in a diagonal position, popular from the Edwardian period when they were often worn as engagement rings.

Engagement Rings

Engagement ring, traditionally purchased for proposing marriage. In many western societies, worn on the third finger of the left hand. The reason for this position may be the myth of the Venis Amoris an ancient idea of a vein that ran from the third finger on the left hand directly to the heart.

Eternity rings

Eternity ring, a band set with a single line of precious gem stones, of identical size, the eternity ring was popularised by the De Beers diamond company in the 20^th C. The eternity or infinity ring is often worn by married women, gifted by their husbands on the occasion of an anniversary. Its history goes back to ancient times, in the Elizabethan period it was known as an alliance ring and was in the form of a snake biting its own tail.

Five Stone Rings

Five stone rings, a single line of gems usually graduating in size, the design became popular in the Victorian era as precious gems became more widely available. Settings have evolved since the 19^th Century and remain hugely popular due to their wear-ability today.

Gimmal Rings

Gimmal ring also called Fede ring was an early type of engagement or betrothal ring, two bands that interlocked, worn separately by the engaged couple, then re-joined at the wedding.

Gypsy Rings

Gypsy ring a wide band ring that is inset with gem stones at the same level as the band protecting the stone, There is often a star engraving surrounding the gem, many of these rings were sold in the late Victorian period and were worn by both men and women

Halo Ring

Halo ring, this is a type of setting a single stone within a halo of smaller stones in a micro setting, frequently chosen as an engagement ring in recent years

Knot Rings

Knot ring, the knot as a symbol on rings has used by both Eastern and western societies for many years. It was key motif of the Celts and widely used by Buddhists representing, friendship eternity , loyalty and love. Gold Knot rings became very popular in the early 20^th C and were worn by both men and women.

Wedding Rings

Marriage ring, and wedding bands rings .

Early marriage rings were often set with a gem. From the 18^th C a diamond was the choice of nobility and those with the wealth to afford the then scarce stone. A plain band was worn to protect the more expensive gem set ring and to stop it slipping off the finger, this was known as the keeper ring. From the 19^th C gem set betrothal rings came to be worn when a couple became engaged and the marriage ring took on the form of the keeper ring, a plain or engraved band..

Memento Mori Rings

Memento Mori rings, were worn from the 16^th to the 18^th C, Memento Mori translates as ‘Remember you will die’ The sentiment and the symbols of skulls, full skeletons and coffins which seem macabre by todays standards, were actually a reminder to live piously and to a moral code.

Poison Rings

Poison ring, a ring with a secret hinged compartment, although there are references to poison rings in literature, it is probable that these actually contained perfumed oil or religious relics

Posy Rings

Posy rings which are sometimes also called posey or poesy rings is a band ring that is engraved with a posie or poem, given to a loved one in the 16^th-18^th Century.

Posy rings were given as token of love also as a wedding ring with a secret message inscribed inside.

Plaque Rings

Plaque ring, in Georgian times the plaque was often marquise form but the heyday of plaque rings was the Art Deco period when geometric designs were very in vogue.

Signet Rings

Seal or Signet rings, their use can be traced back to the Ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome a signet was a modern-day signature, cut into a gemstone or metal, the design created an impression when pressed on wax to authenticate a document. From the 19^th Century signet rings became more for decorative use engraved with the wearer’s initials or a family crest.

Solitaire Rings

Solitaire ring, meaning one alone, the classic single stone engagement ring, often set with a brilliant cut stone but also with emerald, step cut, marquise, pear and more recently princess cuts

Three Stone Rings

Three stone rings, also known as trilogy ring, often with a larger centre gem stone and two smaller stones. From the 19^th C these rings have been desirable and adapted. In rings of the Art Deco period the centre rectangular cut stone was often bordered by baguette cuts. Today the three stone engagement ring is said to represent the couples past present and future.

Trinity Rings

Trinity rings, also referred to a as Russian wedding ring, three interlinking bands as used in gimmal rings and popularised by a Cartier design of 1924